Spring is in the Air

Although the official start of spring isn't until March 20, spring is here. Well, at least for baseball fans. Most of the 30 Major League Baseball teams will report to spring training in the next few days. The New York Yankees will open camp tomorrow and for one of the few times in their recent history, they have many roster spots in question.

The biggest concern heading into the spring is a major one, the starting rotation. With Cliff Lee opting to take less money with the Phillies along with Andy Pettitte deciding to retire and stay home in Deer Park, Texas, the Yankees are left to find answers in unusual places.

The Bombers have signed veterans Freddy Garcia and Bartolo Colon to go along with young Ivan Nova and unproven Sergio Mitre in hopes of finding some combination for the the last two spots in the starting rotation.

Behind ace CC Sabathia, Phil Hughes, and A.J. Burnett, the Yankees hope that two names emerge in the spring. Brian Cashman is holding on in hopes that a big name starting pitcher becomes available via trade.

Sabathia is the only lock out of the three. Hughes had a great first full-year as a starter but he's never done it two years in a row. Burnett may be one of the biggest enigmas in baseball. He has some of the best stuff in the league but can't seem to put it all together. He was so bad last year
(10-15, 5.26 ERA), Joe Girardi didn't give him a postseason start.

This year, Burnett and the rest of the Yankees staff will be working with a new pitching coach. Larry Rothschild will take over the reigns from Dave Eiland, who was let go in November. Rothschild will have his work cut out for him, but he is an established major league pitching coach who has proven he can handle even the hardest of challenges (aka Chicago Cub starting pitcher Carlos Zambrano).

In the field, the Yankees are getting older and will be looking for a viable utility infielder who can spell Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez a rest in the long season ahead.

For the first time in his career, Jorge Posada will go into the season as the team's designated hitter. The long-time catcher will give way to newly-signed Russell Martin, Francisco Cervelli, and Jesus Montero.

Yes it will definitely be an interesting spring for the Yankees, one that is unlike anything they are used to. Many baseball insiders have predicted Ivan Nova and Freddy Garcia will win the No. 4 and No. 5 spots in the rotation. What do you think the starting rotation will look like when the team heads north?