Opening Day Problems for the Yankees

With the upcoming suspensions to start being served on Opening Day (March 31 @ the Stadium) for Melky Cabrera (3 games) and Shelley Duncan (3 games) the Yankees have some issues for OD.  These suspensions likely imply that they will start out 2008 with a 23-man roster.  With Melky out, this forces Damon to CF from LF and Matsui from DH to LF.  Damon has only played a game or 2 this spring in CF, same for Matsui in LF.  This also secures the OD 1B job for Jason Giambi.  So the Yankees will need to find a DH for Opening Day within the next 17 days.  I would be extremely surprised if they went out and signed someone to be their DH for 3 games, really surprised.

The players can appeal their suspensions, but as I said before, there are only 17 days left till the season starts, and by that time, their right to appeal the suspensions could and most likely will expire, and if they do appeal, the process will be over with by the time March 31 rolls around. So, the following is my prediction for the Opening Day 23-man roster, including pitchers.

P:

Chien-Ming Wang

Andy Pettitte

Mike Mussina

Phil Hughes

Ian Kennedy

Joba Chamberlain

Mariano Rivera

LaTroy Hawkins 

Kyle Farnsworth

Jose Veras

Ross Ohlendorf

Brian Bruney

C:

Jorge Posada

Jose Molina

IF:

Jason Giambi

Robinson Cano

Alex Rodriguez

Derek Jeter

Wilson Betemit

Chris Woodward/Morgan Ensberg

OF:

Matsui

Damon

Abreu

I think either Woodward or Ensberg will make the team to be the DH for the opening series, then after their suspended players come back their fate will be decided.  Its a possibly for both to make it if they decide to carry one less pitcher, which would be 11, chances are they'll carry 12 or 13.  If they carry 13, they will have to do decide who makes the roster, Woodward/Ensberg and Betemit (the 13th would be between Igawa and Karstens). 

With these suspensions, I believe that Woodward, Betemit, and Ensberg are going to have to really step up these next couple of weeks to prove their spots.

Here's what I think OD will look like for the Yankees.

w/ Ensberg over Woodward:      w/ Woodward over Ensberg:                                                  

1. Damon CF                                    1. Damon CF

2. Jeter SS                                        2. Jeter SS

3. Abreu RF                                      3. Abreu RF

4. Rodriguez 3B                              4. Rodriguez 3B

5. Giambi 1B                                    5. Giambi 1B

6. Matsui LF                                   6. Matsui LF

7. Posada C                                      7. Posada C

8. Cano 2B                                      8. Cano 2B

9. Ensberg DH                               9. Betemit DH

                                         (Woodward becomes UTL IF.)

w/ Ensberg/Woodward over Betemit: 

1-8: SAME                                                                      

9. Ensberg/Woodward DH                                      

w/ Betemit over Ensberg/Woodward:

1-8: SAME

9. Betemit DH

It'll be interesting to follow.