With pitchers and catchers reporting in just over a month and Opening day not for another 2 and a half months, all Yankees fans can really do is speculate and predict.  So, in the spirit of doing just that, I decided to take my shot at what the Yankees opening day roster will look like in 2010. 

NOTE: This is assuming we make certain trades along the way before the season starts

Starting Lineup:

1.) Derek Jeter (SS)
2.) Nick Johnson (DH)
3.) Mark Teixeira (1B)
4.) Alex Rodriguez (3B)
5.) Jorge Posada (C)
6.) Curtis Granderson (CF)
7.) Robinson Cano (2B)
8.) Nick Swisher (RF)
9.) Reed Johnson (LF)

Bench:

Ramiro Pena (Util)
Francisco Cervelli (C)
Juan Miranda (1B/OF)
Brett Gardner (OF)

Rotation:

1.) C.C. Sabathia (LHP)
2.) A.J. Burnett (RHP)
3.) Javier Vazquez (RHP)
4.) Andy Pettitte (LHP)
5.) Phil Hughes (RHP)

Bullpen:

Mariano Rivera (CL)
Joba Chamberlain (SU)
Damaso Marte
David Robertston
Alfredo Aceves
Mark Melancon
Chad Gaudin

Having Nick Johnson as a number 2 hitter still doesn't settle right with me.  The career .402 OBP settles my nerves a bit, especially the .426 OBP from 2009 (Wow.), but I don't like a significantly below average base runner that high up in the order.  Sure he'll get on and with the power we have at 3 and 4, he won't need to be stealing bases all over the field, but at the same time - that was an aspect that Damon brought to the game and will be missed if Johnson takes over in the 2 hole.  Personally, I think Robinson Cano would settle into the 2 hole better than anyone, but this article is for predicting, not stating what I would want.

Placing Vazquez above Pettitte in the starting rotation has nothing to do with their talent level.  Even though I'm certain Vazquez will translate back to the AL well, I still find Pettitte to be that guaranteed piece iin the rotation that he has always been, but placing Vazquez first allows the aging lefty to keep his innings down.  Pettitte claimed to have a lot of shoulder soreness leading up to and during the postseason - I think limiting his innings and having him pitch fourth will help him stay healthy.

The 5th spot in the rotation is really anyone's guess and that will likely remain the case until the last week of Spring Training.  I expect Joba and Phil to be the frontrunners for the job and one will have to outperform the other in Tampa in order to claim the spot on opening day.  I used to be a "Joba as a starter" guy, but after this season, I wonder if he has the make up - I give the edge to Hughes for opening day 2010.

What are your predictions for opening day?  Put your lineups in the comments section.