Potential 2007 roster

Obviously, this isn't done, but just to see where the Yankees are at right now, a theoretical Opening Day roster (assuming everyone is healthy and Igawa gets signed):

1. Jorge Posada (C)
2. Andy Phillips (1B)
3. Robinson Cano (2B)
4. Derek Jeter (SS)
5. Alex Rodriguez (3B)
6. Hideki Matsui (LF)
7. Johnny Damon (CF)
8. Bobby Abreu (RF)
9. Jason Giambi (DH)
10. Melky Cabrera (Backup Outfielder)
11. Miguel Cairo (Backup Infielder)
12. Wil Nieves (Backup Catcher)
13. Kevin Thompson (Backup Outfielder)
14. Chien Ming Wang (SP)
15. Mike Mussina (SP)
16. Andy Pettitte (SP)
17. Randy Johnson (SP)
18. Carl Pavano (SP)
19. Kei Igawa (Long Relief/lefty out of bullpen)
20. Chris Britton (Middle Relief)
21. Mike Myers (Lefty One Out Guy)
22. Brian Bruney (Middle Relief)
23. Scott Proctor (Middle relief/Setup)
24. Kyle Farnsworth (Setup)
25. Mariano Rivera (Closer)

Obviously I'm guessing at the Yanks resigning Miguel Cairo (I think they can do better but I don't hate Cairo). And they can certainly improve at first base. Backup catcher is a tossup...Nieves isn't anything special, but the Yankees haven't had a backup catcher who can hit in awhile. It's a miracle that Posada stays as healthy as he does. Say what you will about injuries to anyone else on the team, a Posada injury could do serious damage to the Yankees, more than possibly anyone else save maybe a long term injury to Mariano Rivera. There's simply no replacement for Posada offensively. Zero. None. But traditionally the Yanks go with a John Flaherty/Kelly Stinnett/Sal Fasano type, so Nieves wouldn't be completely out of place.

And I stuck Thompson in for the 25th man, but that could also go to an Aaron Guiel type (my pick for the 25th man since he can play both outfield and first base, but Thompson is already on the team and all). Much as I love Bernie, it's one thing being asked to be the fourth outfielder and part time DH...it's quite another to ask him to be the 25th man on an American League team. Unless Torre uses him constantly instead of Melky, he'd never play.

So a potential everyday lineup of:

1. Johnny Damon
2. Derek Jeter
3. Bobby Abreu
4. Alex Rodriguez
5. Jason Giambi
6. Hideki Matsui
7. Robinson Cano
8. Jorge Posada
9. Andy Phillips

with the possibility of putting someone better than Andy in? Sounds good to me. The pitching staff has question marks but carrying 6 guys plus Karstens/Rasner/Sanchez/Hughes in the minors should help that and prevent a repeat of 2005's musical chairs game.