GM Cashman doesn’t spend big, but Yankees can still claim title 28.

In a very un-Yankee like off-season, GM Brian Cashman didn’t aggressively go after the big money free agents, such as Albert Pujols, Prince Fielder or C.J. Wilson, but instead chose to improve the squad with shrewd trades and signings. After leading the league in home runs last season, the Yankees decided to spend their money on the pitching staff, signing Hiroki Kuroda and trading for Michael Pineda to improve a weak back-end of the rotation, while A.J. Burnett’s less than stellar Yankee career is over after he was traded to Pittsburgh.

The sole major change to the line-up is the retirement of long time catcher Jorge Posada, who ended an association with the Yankees that started when he was drafted in 1990 and included four World Series titles, 275 home runs, 1,075 RBIs and 1,829 games in the famous Yankee pinstripes. Posada’s retirement aside, the starting line-up is expected to be the same, and it really is a case of picking your poison, but will it be enough to guide them to a World Series title?

IN : Russell Branyan (INF – L.A. Angels), Matt Daley (RP – Colorado), Cole Garner (OF – Colorado), Bill Hall (INF – San Francisco), Hiroki Kuroda (SP – L.A. Dodgers), Jayson Nix (INF – Toronto), Michael O’Connor (SP – N.Y. Mets), Hideki Okajima (RP – Boston), Michael Pineda (SP – Seattle), Dewayne Wise (OF – Toronto)

OUT : Luis Ayala (RP – Baltimore), Andrew Brackman (RP – Cincinnati), A.J. Burnett (SP – Pittsburgh), Eric Chavez (INF), Bartolo Colon (SP – Oakland), Steve Garrison (RP – Seattle), Greg Golson (OF – Kansas City), Jeff Marquez (RP – Seattle), Damaso Marte (RP), Sergio Mitre (RP), Jesus Montero (C – Seattle), Hector Noesi (RP – Seattle), Jorge Posada (C – Retired), Scott Proctor (RP – South Korea), Amauri Sanit (RP), Raul Valdes (RP – Philadelphia)

Catchers : Arguably the only part of the Yankees roster that isn’t incredibly strong, with Russell Martin entering his second season in New York. Although he hit 18 homers, he hasn’t lived up to the expectations he created with stellar years early in his career at the Dodgers. Francisco Cervelli is a very able back-up, while Austin Romine has just 19 major league at bats, but will just be an injury away from the 25 man roster.

Infielders : As one would expect with the Yankees, the infield is about as good as it gets, lead by the franchise hit leader Derek Jeter, who quashed any fears of his play degrading by hitting .297 last year. While the power may be fading, the accuracy certainly doesn’t appear to be. Along with Robinson Cano, Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira, the infield quartet have accumulated 31 All-Star appearances and a simply staggering 1,327 home runs and 8,593 hits. While A-Rod and Jeter may be approaching the twilight of their careers, write them off at your peril. Behind the foursome though lies a young and inexperienced corps. Eduardo Nunez is the favourite for the utility spot off the bench, his 22 stolen bases, along with a very impressive walk to strikeout ratio show that he could be a game changer. Ramiro Pena and Brandon Laird will both require seasoning in the Minors, having hit .100 and .190 respectively in limited chances last season, while Corban Joseph and David Adams are very much last options and yet to make their MLB debuts, but will be given a fair chance in Spring Training. Should Cashman feel the need to add a veteran infielder, the likes of Russell Branyan, Bill Hall and Jayson Nix are all non-roster invites who have proven big league pedigree.

Outfielders : As with the infield, the starters must strike fear into the hearts and minds of opposing pitchers. Brett Gardner, Curtis Granderson and Nick Swisher combined for 71 HRs (with Granderson hitting a career high 41), and 76 stolen bases (with Gardner claiming a career high 49). In Swisher they have a home run threat who can also play first base, while Gardner provides lightning speed in the outfield and on the bases. Granderson, who has strongly promoted baseball in ‘minor’ countries, including the U.K., can provide both. It really is a lethal combination. 35 year old Andruw Jones is the main back-up. Although he may not be the force he once was, he hit 13 homers in 190 at-bats last season. Chris Dickerson and Justin Maxwell are a pair of tall, gangly, but inexperienced options, although the former hit .260 last year and is slightly ahead on the depth chart, while Melky Mesa and Zoilo Almonte are highly regarded prospects, but it will prove difficult for anyone to break into the Yankees outfield. DeWayne Wise, a speedster formerly of the Blue Jays and White Sox is a possibility should he impress during Spring.

Designated Hitter : At the time of writing, the Yankees were in advanced talks with veteran Raul Ibanez about becoming the DH. The powerful 39 year old was voted the second nicest player in the Majors by his peers, behind Jim Thome. Should talks prove unsuccessful, the most likely scenario would be for Andruw Jones to be the main DH.

Starting Pitchers : A great deal is said about the Phillies rotation, but don’t be surprised if the Yankees starters end up putting up the best numbers this year. C.C. Sabathia enters his fourth season in pinstripes and is coming off his best season, a 19-8, 3.00 ERA effort. Behind the gargantuan southpaw, the picture is somewhat murky. New signings Hiroki Kuroda and Michael Pineda combined for a 3.37 ERA in 60 starts and could form a lethal 2-3 punch. Pineda, a rookie last year, is certainly one to keep an eye on. Ivan Nova thoroughly impressed last season, losing just four games while recording a 3.70 ERA in what was also, effectively, his rookie season. Phil Hughes and Freddy Garcia will battle it out for fifth place, but there can be no complacency from those further up the pecking order as both are perfectly capable of recording sub 4.00 ERA’s throughout the entire season. Hughes has previously excelled in the bullpen, so could that sway the decision?

Relief Pitchers : In Mariano Rivera the Yankees probably the greatest relief pitcher of all time, and the MLB career saves leader with 603. The 42 year old Panamanian, in all likelihood, is entering the final year of a career that has seen him win five World Series rings and 12 All-Star appearances as well as becoming the first pitcher ever to play in 1,000 games for one team. Rafael Soriano will return as a very expensive set-up man, despite a 4.12 ERA last time out. David Robertson was out of this world, with a 1.08 ERA in 70 appearances, to go along with a 4-0 record, while Boone Logan could be the only lefty in the bullpen. The best role for Joba Chamberlain has never really been found, and as a result, his career hasn’t gone the way the Yankees front office had hoped. The one time certain successor for Rivera had an injury ravaged season, but impressed when healthy. He could also spot start if needed. Corey Wade had a terrific Yankee debut season, going 6-1 with a 2.70 ERA and, health permitting, will be a vital part of a very formidable bullpen. 6’8’’ Dellin Betances is an exciting youngster, who could be utilised as a starter if needed, while George Kontos will also look to earn a bullpen role. Pedro Feliciano is a veteran lefty option, while the likes of youngsters Cesar Cabral and D.J. Mitchell will only see time during an injury crisis. Manny Delcarmen is a vastly experienced non-roster invite with a genuine shot at a roster spot with a solid Spring Training.

PREDICTION : The usual race between the Red Sox and Yankees has become more interesting in the last few years as Toronto and Tampa Bay have been able to build sides that can make a genuine challenge, but I still see the fierce rivals finishing in the top two this season. The Yankees have added some incredible pitching talent in Kuroda and Pineda, while Nova will be looking to continue his progression. The line-up is deep and, quite frankly, staggeringly talented. In my opinion the only thing that can keep the Yankees out of first place would be a few severe injuries to key players.