The San Diego Padres have returned 22-year old righty starting pitcher Ivan Nova back to the Yankees after selecting him in the Rule 5 Draft. Nova pitched in 8 games over the spring for the Padres in which he was 0-0 with a 8.31 ERA and a 1.96 WHIP. Nova has pitched four seasons in the Yankees’ system covering 68 games (57 starts) in which he is 17-22 with 1 save, a 4.09 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP.

The Twins were going to offer Rule 5 Draft Pick Jason Jones back to the Yankees who decided that they would rather have 22-year old righty reliever Charles Nolte than $50,000 bucks and Jason Jones back. Nolte pitched in 44 games (0 starts) in A-ball last season and he was 4-3 with 1 save, a 2.25 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP. Nolte whiffed 75 batters while only allowing 63 hits in 70.1 innings last season in the minors which shows what kind of upside he can have.

The Marlins have returned 24-year old lefty reliever Zach Kroenke to the Yankees after selecting him in the Rule 5 Draft over the winter. Kroenke pitched in only 2 games for the Marlins this spring and he was 0-0 with a 63.00 ERA and a 8.00 WHIP. He allowed 4 hits and walked 4 batters in only 1 inning this spring. The Yankees know that he’s better than he showed the Marlins. He pitched in 41 games (0 starts) in AA+AAA ball last season in which he was 7-0 with 1 save, a 2.85 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP. The Yankees are glad to have Kroenke back as decent lefty relievers are hard to find.

The Yankees are moving 34-year old lefty swinging Hideki Matsui to DH in a attempt to keep him healthy. He played in 93 games for the Yankees last season and he was 99 for 337 (.294 avg, .794 OPS) with 43 runs scored, 9 homers and 45 RBIs. If Matsui can just stay healthy he will put up numbers that will remind Yankee fans of the Godzilla of old.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2009 SEASON: B+

It’s hard to see the Yankees trying to replace A-Rod with anyone currently on the roster. Look for them to try to make a trade for a player who would fit on the bench when A-Rod returns. 33-year old Alex Rodriguez played in 138 games for the Yankees last season and he was 154 for 510 (.302 avg, .965 OPS) with 104 runs scored, 35 homers, 103 RBIs and 18 stolen bases. He made 10 errors at 3B last season for the Yankees in 131 games there while showing slightly below average range.

33-year old righty swinging Cody Ransom is the odds on favorite to win the starting 3B job unless the Yankees make a trade. He played in 33 games for the Yankees last season and he was 13 for 43 (.302 avg, 1.051 OPS) with 9 runs scored, 4 homers and 8 RBIs. Angel Berroa might also make the team on Opening Day for the Yankees but he’s not a natural 3B.

32-year old righty swinging Justin Leone is the long shot here. He last played in the majors in 2006 for the Padres. He played in 108 games in Rookie+AAA ball last season and he was 91 for 367 (.248 avg, .811 OPS) with 66 runs scored, 17 homers, 66 RBIs and 6 stolen bases. In 32 games in his major league career, Leone is 22 for 103 (.214 avg, .733 OPS) with 15 runs scored, 6 homers and 13 RBIs.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2009 SEASON: B (Because of A-Rod)

The Yankees will be without 33-year old Alex Rodriguez due to “hybrid” surgery to repair a torn labrum in his hip. The Yankees better start looking to find a replacement soon or either Cody Ransom or Angel Berroa will likely start at 3B while A-Rod is out and that’s quite a dropoff in talent. A-Rod has played 5 years for the Yankees covering 767 games in which he is 869 for 2,871 (.303 avg) with 597 runs scored, 208 homers, 616 RBIs and 106 stolen bases. The Yankees have enough offense to cover for A-Rod while he is out.

34-year old righty swinging shortstop Derek Jeter might be starting to slip some for the Yankees. But, he’s still one of the better shortstops in all of baseball so it’s not time to panic yet. He played in 150 games for the Yankees last season and he was 179 for 596 (.300 avg, .771 OPS) with 88 runs scored, 11 homers, 69 RBIs and 11 stolen bases. Jeter’s defense seems to be slipping as his range is nowhere near where it used to be. He only made 12 errors in 148 games though so it’s not all bad news. The Yankees need a big 2009 from Derek Jeter and he might give it to them.

31-year old righty swinging Angel Berroa will battle Cody Ransom for the right to backup Jeter. It might be a moot point if Ransom has to start at 3B with A-Rod injured. Berroa played in 84 games for the Dodgers last season and he was 52 for 226 (.230 avg, .614 OPS) with 26 runs scored, 1 homer and 16 RBIs. He is a much better hitter than that so look for him to rebound some if he makes the Yankees out of spring training. Berroa made 9 errors in only 79 games at shortstop last season but he did so good range. Cody Ransom made 2 errors in 9 games at shortstop while showing good range.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2009 SEASON: B+

The Yankees are counting on 26-year old lefty swinging Robinson Cano to rebound during the 2009 season. Cano played in 159 games for the Yankees last season and he was 162 for 597 (.271 avg, .715 OPS) with 70 runs scored, 14 homers and 72 RBIs. He has played in 573 games in his major league career now and he has a .303 batting average with a .803 OPS so the Yankees are hoping that he gets back to those levels again this season. Cano is a solid defender with good range but he still made 13 errors at 2B in 159 games there in 2008.

33-year old righty swinging Cody Ransom will likely back up Cano at 2B, Jeter at SS and A-Rod at 3B in 2009. He appears to be a late bloomer as he played in 33 games for the Yankees last season going 13 for 43 (.302 avg, 1.051 OPS) with 9 runs scored, 4 homers and 8 RBIs. He also played in 116 games in AAA-ball last season and he was 108 for 423 (.255 avg, .820 OPS) with 69 runs scored, 22 homers, 71 RBIs and 9 stolen bases.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2009 SEASON: B