With the Yanks just about done with making moves this offseason, I thought I’d predict the Opening Day (only 64 more days!!!) lineup. Yes, I am fiending baseball that badly; this season has got to start soon, I’m dying over here…Without further ado, I give you your 2010 New York Yankees:

Jeet, SS
Grandy , LF*
Tex, 1B
A-Rod, 3B
Georgie, C
Johnson, DH
Cano, 2B
Swish Dog, RF
Gardner, CF*

The starting rotation will be as such:

CC
AJ
Pettitte
Vazquez
Joba/Gaudin. I’m hoping it will be Gaudin because Joba belongs in the ‘pen. Knowing the Yanks, though, they’ll keep Joba in the rotation.

*I know Grandy was brought in to be the center fielder, [...]

Johnny Damon and Scott Boras have sticks up their respective asses about how The Caveman’s time with the Yankees ended. I got six letters for you Scotty, B-O-O H-O-O. You missed the boat.
The uber agent now claims that the Yanks snubbed Damon and never had any intention of bringing him back. I just have one question: what team WOULDN’T want to pay $13 million/year for a 36-year-old left fielder that has no arm? Granted he can still hit, but why pay $13 million for a slugger that can’t play the field? Who is he, Jason Giambi?
Before you take sides in [...]

The Yankees have hired former Padres GM Kevin Towers. I can’t imagine he’ll be replacing his buddy Brian Cashman as GM, mainly because Kev has expressed an interest in “getting out of the office.” RAB speculates that KT will be a consultant for the Yanks.

The next Jorge? Jesus Montero is tearing it up in the Minors and was ranked the 19th best prospect in baseball by MLB.com. The 20-year-old still has a lot of growing up to do, but he could be a pivotal figure in pinstripes in the near future. Don’t be surprised if you see him behind the [...]

The Trenton Rays? You never know, it could happen. Personally, I don’t want the Rays playing in The Greatest State In The Union, but I wouldn’t mind if they went to Connecticut. CT has no pro sports teams, and I feel bad for all the sports fans there. They don’t have anything, let them have the Rays. Why not?…Also, Tino on YES? I’m in! I think he could bring some good insight to the booth. He’d be a good complement to Michael Kay.

The Yankees have reached an agreement with OF Randy Winn this afternoon for a one-year deal worth about $2 million, which just about puts the kibosh on any plans Johnny Damon had of playing in the Bronx next season. Especially if you believe what the NY Post says.
The 35-year-old switch hitter’s numbers have slipped a bit in the past few seasons, but Winn can still play the corner outfield positions and should be a good role player for the Yanks. Also, we can’t forget that inside-the-park grand slam Winn hit against the Yanks in the 1999 season. Nobody has hit [...]

The Links:

It seems that noted windbag Curt Schilling is just “hitting the gym” and not preparing for a 2010 comeback. Shucks. Why won’t he bless us fans with his presence this season? If he would just come back for one more season we’d all be better people for having witnessed it. He’s like Tim Tebow…only more hateable.
The Yanks have acquired Greg Golson (he of 7 career MLB plate appearances) from the Rangers. Don’t expect to see him in the Bronx, though, as he most likely will be a lifer in the Minors.
Apparently, Nady is headed to the Cubbies and Ben [...]

According to RAB, the Yankees have contacted Jim Edmonds about patrolling/platooning in left field.
Edmonds, who last played in ‘08, might be a good fit in the Bronx (he wouldn’t cost much and could be a part-time contributor), but he’s as old as dirt. He’ll be 40 in July.
I have to believe this is a ploy to get hand in the Damon negotiations.
Jim Edmonds circa 2003 = I’ll take it…Jim Edmonds circa 2010 = No thanks, you keep it

Yesterday, Hall of Famer Carlton Fisk called out Roger Clemens and Mark McGwire for using performance-enhancing drugs. I get why he is so upset, and he has every reason to be, but you can’t hold two players responsible for a generation of cheating. It’s just as much MLB’s fault for letting this go on as it is the fault of the players who took that needle in the ass. There were no rules against steroids in Major League Baseball in the 90’s for God’s sake! How can you call it cheating if it’s not against the rules? Just ask Hall [...]

With about 74 days left until Opening Day, the Yankees are busy finalizing their roster. Here are all the links you need to stay in the know:

The Yanks have come to terms with Gaudin and Logan, avoiding arbitration. Gaudin will have a chance to compete for the fifth starter’s spot, while Logan will most likely fill in for the departed Phil Coke.
Jack-of-all-trades Jerry Hairston has signed to play alongside his brother in San Diego. It’s a good move for him, but I’m sad to see him go. He was a solid bench player and I’ll miss him.
The X-Man might be [...]

The Yankees are not willing to spend more than $2 million on a left field upgrade. In other news: Hell has finally frozen over. I honestly thought I’d see the Devil in a snowball fight before I heard about the Yankees not wanting to spend more money. What is this world coming to?
Apparently Cashman doesn’t want the 2010 payroll to surpass 2009’s. This, of course, means that unless Damon wants to take a HUGE pay cut don’t expect to see him in pinstripes next season. The Yanks have other options and do not feel like dealing with Scott Boras over [...]