36-year old switch hitting catcher Jorge Posada will try to build on last year’s career season. He played in 144 games last year for the Yanks and he was 171 for 506 (.338 avg, .969 OPS) with 91 runs scored, 20 homers and 90 RBIs. Seeing how Posada was in a walk year and had a career season expect a drop off now that he has his new shiny contract. Expect Posada to still produce his usual type numbers as he has a career average of .277 (.860 OPS). Posada has also averaged a run every 6.47 at bats, a homer every 22.5 at bats and an RBI every 5.59 at bats. Posada is a little below average in throwing out baserunners trying to steal (22%) but that’s nitpicking.

33-year old Jose Molina was outstanding after being acquired from the Angels last season. In 29 games for the Yanks, Molina was 21 for 66 (.318 avg, .772 OPS) with 9 runs scored, 1 homer and 9 RBIs. Still, don’t expect Molina to hit over .300 again as he is a career .243 hitter (.624 OPS). Molina’s game is defense as he threw out 28% of the runners that tried to steal on him and pitchers like to throw to him.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR 2008: B+

The Yankees thought about trading for Johan Santana until they saw the price tag. The Yanks felt it was smarter to keep the kids (Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy) and use them on there own pitching staff. The Yanks are probably already regretting bringing back Andy Pettitte after he admitted to cheating in the Mitchell Report. The Yanks went digging for bargains to fill out their bench so they signed Morgan Ensberg, Chris Woodward and Jason Lane to battle for roster spots. Ensberg has the most upside of this bunch as he could earn a lot of at bats at first base for the Yanks if Jason Giambi continues to struggle. Adding LaTroy Hawkins could help the Yanks bridge the gap to Mariano Rivera but he’s no better than Luis Vizcaino who pitched for the Yanks last season. The Yankees also don’t have a quality lefty in the bullpen as they brought in Billy Traber and Heath Phillips to battle for bullpen spots.

FRONT OFFICE GRADE FOR THE OFF SEASON: C-

Reserve infielder Chris Woodward has signed a minor league deal with the Yankees. Woodward played in 92 games last season for the Braves and he was 27 for 136 (.199 avg, .531 OPS) with 16 runs scored, 1 homer and 8 RBIs. He has now played in 607 games in his major league career and he is 388 for 1,598 (.243 avg, .674 OPS) with 201 runs scored, 33 homers and 186 RBIs. If the Yankees decide to keep two reserve infielders this season, Woodward will have a good chance to make the team out of spring training.

The Yankees have signed third baseman Morgan Ensberg to a minor league contract. The 32-year old righty swinger played in 115 games for the Padres and Astros last season and he was 65 for 282 (.223 avg) with 47 runs scored, 12 homers and 39 RBIs. Ensberg has now played in 703 games in his major league career and he is 564 for 2,130 (.265 avg) with 334 runs scored, 109 homers and 343 RBIs. Ensberg could also handle first base if Jason Giambi isn’t up to the job.