48-year old manager Joe Girardi is going to have to to the best work of his career with the Yankees in 2013, if he’s going to get his very injured and old team to the playoffs again.  The Yankees were 95-67 (58.6%) during the regular season and 3-6 (33.3%) in the playoffs last year.  Girardi is now 479-331 (59.1%) during the regular season and 21-17 (55.3%) in the post season in his first five years with the Yankees.  He is now 557-415 (57.3%) during the regular season in his career (6 years) and he is 21-17 (55.3%) in the playoffs so far in his managerial career.  I have never thought that Girardi was much of a manager, and that could really start to show this year for the Yankees.

The Yankees could have a solid bullpen in 2013, but that all hinges on the health of 43-year old righty closer Mariano Rivera.  He is coming off a torn ACL and has indicated that he will retire at the end of the 2013 season.  The Yankees don’t have a safety net at closer for 2013, as Rafael Soriano signed with the Nationals over the winter.  Rivera pitched in 9 games (0 starts) for the Yankees last year and he was 1-1 with 5 saves, a 2.16 ERA and a 0.96 WHIP.  The Sand Man has now pitched in 1,051 games (10 starts) in his first 18 years with the Yankees and he is 76-58 with 608 saves, a 2.21 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP.  Rivera’s 608 saves is the most ever for a pitcher in major league history.  27-year old righty David Robertson is an outstanding set-up man, but he folds up like a tent when forced to close.  Robertson pitched in 65 games (0 starts) for the Yankees last year and he was 2-7 with 2 saves, a 2.67 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP.  He has now pitched in 269 games (0 starts) in his first five years in the majors and he is 16-13 with 5 saves, a 2.95 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP.  27-year old righty Joba Chamberlain will also be working late in games for the Yankees in 2013.  He pitched in 22 games (0 starts) for the Yankees last year and he was 1-0 with a 4.35 ERA and a 1.55 WHIP.  He has now pitched in 215 games (43 starts) in his first six years in the majors and he is 21-13 with 4 saves, a 3.73 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP.  28-year old Boone Logan and 32-year old Clay Rapada give the Yankees a solid pair of lefty relievers for 2013.  Logan pitched in 80 games (0 starts) for the Yankees last year and he was 7-2 with 1 save, a 3.74 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP.  Logan has now pitched in 359 games (0 starts) in his first seven years in the majors and he is 19-10 with 2 saves, a 4.56 ERA and a 1.52 WHIP.  Logan has a good arm and he has found a home in the Bronx.  Rapada pitched in 70 games (0 starts) for the Yankees last year and he was 3-0 with a 2.82 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP.  Rapada has now pitched in 148 games (0 starts) in his first six years in the majors and he is 8-0 with a 4.15 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP.  Rapada is pretty nasty as a situational lefty out of the pen.  31-year old righty David Aardsma, 27-year old righty Cody Eppley, 28-year old righty Shawn Kelley, 30-year old righty Jim Miller, 25-year old lefty Josh Spence and 27-year old righty David Herndon are duking it out this spring for the last couple of spots in the Yankees’ pen.  Aardsma missed most of last season as he was recovering from Tommy John surgery.  He pitched in 5 games (all starts) in Rookie+A-ball for the Yankees last year and he was 0-1 with a 2.70 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP.  He also pitched in 1 game (0 starts) for the Yankees in which he was 0-0 with a 9.00 ERA and a 2.00 WHIP.  Aardsma has now pitched in 255 games (0 starts) in his first seven years in the majors and he is 13-15 with 69 saves, a 4.22 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP.  Eppley pitched in 59 games (0 starts) for the Yankees last year and he was 1-2 with a 3.33 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP.  He has now pitched in 69 games (0 starts) in his first two years in the majors and he is 2-3 with a 4.09 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP.  Kelley is a rock solid reliever.  He pitched in 47 games (0 starts) for the Mariners last year and he was 2-4 with a 3.25 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP.  Kelley has now pitched in 120 games (0 starts) in his first four years in the majors and he is 10-9 with a 3.52 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP.  Miller pitched in 33 games (0 starts) for the A’s last year and he was 2-1 with a 2.59 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP.  He has now pitched in 47 games (0 starts) in his first three years in the show and he is 2-3 with 1 save, a 2.42 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP.  Spence pitched in 11 games (0 starts) for the Padres last year and he was 0-1 with a 4.35 ERA and a 1.74 WHIP.  Spence has now pitched in 51 games (0 starts) in his first two years in the majors and he is 0-3 with a 3.15 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP.  Herndon pitched in 5 games (0 starts) for the Phillies last year and he was 0-1 with a 4.70 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP.  He has now pitched in 97 games (0 starts) in his first three years in the majors and he is 2-8 with 1 save, a 3.85 ERA and a 1.48 WHIP.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE BULLPEN IN 2013:  B

The top four spots in the starting rotation are set for the 2013 season for the Yankees.  32-year old lefty C.C. Sabathia returns as the Yankees’ ace.  He pitched in 28 games (all starts) for the Yankees last year and he was 15-6 with a 3.38 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP.  He has now pitched in 383 games (all starts) in his first 12 years in the majors and he is 191-102 with a 3.50 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP.  The Yankees re-signed 38-year old righty Hiroki Kuroda over the winter and he will be their #2 starter in 2013.  He pitched in 33 games (all starts) for the Yankees last year and he was 16-11 with a 3.32 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP.  He has now pitched in 148 games (147 starts) in his first five years in the majors and he is 57-57 with a 3.42 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP.  The Yankees also brought back 40-year old lefty Andy Pettitte for the 2013 season.  He pitched in 12 games (all starts) for the Yankees last year and he was 5-4 with a 2.87 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP.  He has now pitched in 501 games (491 starts) in his first 17 years in the majors and he is 245-142 with a 3.86 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP.  26-year old righty Phil Hughes will be the Yankees’ #4 starter this year.  He is having some back issues, but the Yankees hope he will be ready to go in 2013.  Hughes pitched in 32 games (all starts) for the Yankees last year and he was 16-13 with a 4.23 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP.  Hughes has now pitched in 152 games (103 starts) in his first six years in the majors and he is 52-36 with 3 saves, a 4.39 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP.  26-year old righties Ivan Nova and David Phelps are duking it out for the #5 job in the rotation this spring.  Nova pitched in 28 games (all starts) for the Yankees last year and he was 12-8 with a 5.02 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP.  He has now pitched in 66 games (62 starts) in his first three years with the Yankees and he is 29-14 with a 4.38 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP.  Phelps pitched in 33 games (11 starts) with the Yankees in his first taste of the majors last year and he was 4-4 with a 3.34 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP.  If Phelps loses out on  a rotation spot, he will be in the Yankees’ bullpen in 2013.  The Yankees hope that 24-year old righty Michael Pineda will be able to return after the All-Star Break.  Pineda had surgery to repair a torn labrum last April, so he has yet to pitch for the Yankees.  He pitched in 28 games (all starts) as a rookie for the Mariners in 2011 in which he was 9-10 with a 3.74 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE STARTING ROTATION IN 2013:  B+

The Yankees hope that 39-year old lefty swinging Ichiro Suzuki has another big season in him.  He played in 162 games for the Mariners and Yankees last year and he was 178 of 629 (.283 avg, .696 OPS) with 77 runs scored, 9 homers, 55 RBIs and 29 stolen bases.  Ichiro played in 132 games (117 starts) in RF last year and he had 4 assists and 1 error there while showing good range.  Ichiro has now played in 1,911 games in his first 12 years in the majors and he is 2,606 of 8,085 (.322 avg, .784 OPS) with 1,204 runs scored, 104 homers, 660 RBIs and 452 stolen bases.  34-year old righty swinging Matt Diaz will likely be the Yankees’ top backup in RF in 2013.  He played in 51 games for the Braves last year and he was 24 of 108 (.222 avg, .613 OPS) with 10 runs scored, 2 homers and 13 RBIs.  He played in 19 games (17 starts) in RF for the Braves last year and he had 2 assists and 0 errors while showing outstanding range there.  Diaz has now played in 726 games in his first 10 years in the majors and he is 543 of 1,863 (.291 avg, .770 OPS) with 211 runs scored, 45 homers, 225 RBIs and 33 stolen bases.  Diaz has ripped lefty pitchers so far in his career to the tune of .324 with a .863 OPS.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE RIGHT FIELDERS IN 2013:  B

29-year old lefty swinging Brett Gardner is going to replace Curtis Granderson as the Yankees’ starting CF in 2013.  He played in only 16 games last year due to an elbow injury and he was 10 for 31 (.323 avg, .804 OPS) with 7 runs scored, 0 homers, 3 RBIs and 2 stolen bases.  Gardner played in 15 games (8 starts) in LF last year for the Yankees and he had 1 assist and 0 errors there while showing poor range.  Gardner has now played in 475 games in his first five years in the majors and he is 370 of 1,393 (.266 avg, .723 OPS) with 257 runs scored, 15 homers, 125 RBIs and 137 stolen bases.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE CENTER FIELDERS IN 2013:  B-

The Yankees will likely move 31-year old lefty swinging Curtis Granderson to LF after his broken forearm heals.  His injury will keep him out until sometime in May.  This is a very bad break for the Yankees.  Granderson played in 160 games for the Yankees last year and he was 138 of 596 (.232 avg, .811 OPS) with 102 runs scored, 43 homers, 106 RBIs and 10 stolen bases.  Granderson had a rough time making contact last year as he whiffed 195 times, but he also walked 75 times.  Granderson played in 157 games (152 starts) in CF for the Yankees last year and he had 3 assists and 0 errors there but he showed poor range.  Granderson has now played in 1,126 games in his first 9 years in the majors and he is 1,108 of 4,224 (.262 avg, .834 OPS) with 749 runs scored, 210 homers, 591 RBIs and 114 stolen bases.  34-year old righty swinging Juan Rivera will likely take over in LF for the Yankees until Granderson is ready to return to action.  Rivera played in 109 games for the Dodgers last year and he was 76 of 312 (.244 avg, .661 OPS) with 30 runs scored, 9 homers, 47 RBIs and 1 stolen base.  Rivera played in 37 games (30 starts) in LF for the Dodgers last year and he had 3 assists and o errors there while showing poor range.  Rivera has now played in 1,058 games in his first 12 years in the majors and he is 950 of 3,471 (.274 avg, .766 OPS) with 425 runs scored, 132 homers, 539 RBIs and 17 stolen bases.  34-year old Matt Diaz could also get some time in LF in 2013.  He played in 19 games (17 starts) in LF last year and he had 2 assists and 0 errors out there while showing outstanding range.  25-year old righty swinging Thomas Neal is going to get a shot to win a bench job this spring.  He played in 9 games for the Indians last year in his first taste of the majors and he was 5 for 23 (.217 avg, .511 OPS) with 2 runs scored and 2 RBIs.  He played in 6 games (5 starts) in LF for the Indians last year and he had 1 error and 1 assist there while showing off outstanding range.  Neal also played in 117 games in AA-ball last year in which he was 127 of 405 (.314 avg, .867 OPS) with 77 runs scored, 12 homers, 51 RBIs and 11 stolen bases.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE LEFT FIELDERS IN 2013:  B

The New York Yankees have lost starting CF Curtis Granderson for at least the next 10 weeks due to a broken right forearm.  Granderson was injured in today’s exhibition game against the Blue Jays when lefty J.A. Happ hit him with a fastball.  Granderson played in 160 games for the Yankees last year and he was 138 of 596 (.232 avg, .811 OPS) with 102 runs scored, 43 homers, 106 RBIs and 10 stolen bases.  Brett Gardner will shift to CF until Granderson is ready to return to action.  As of right now, righty swinging Juan Rivera and Matt Diaz will compete to replace Gardner in LF until Granderson comes back.  Rivera played in 109 games for the Dodgers last year and he was 76 of 312 (.244 avg, .661 OPS) with 30 runs scored, 9 homers, 47 RBIs and 1 stolen base.  Diaz played in 51 games for the Braves last year and he was 24 of 108 (.222 avg, .613 OPS) with 10 runs scored, 2 homers and 13 RBIs.  The loser in the competition will likely platoon with Travis Hafner at DH.  The Yankees could also look outside of the organization for outfield help.  This is a huge blow to the Yankees.

UPDATE:  (4/1/2013) - The Yankees officially have placed Curtis Granderson on the D.L.

35-year old lefty swinging Travis Hafner and 34-year old righty swinging outfielder Juan Rivera will likely platoon at DH for the Yankees in 2013.  Hafner played in 66 games for the Indians last year and he was 50 of 219 (.228 avg, .784 OPS) with 23 runs scored, 12 homers and 34 RBIs.  He has now played in 1,101 games in his first 11 years in the majors and he is 1,054 of 3,796 (.278 avg, .888 OPS) with 588 runs scored, 201 homers, 694 RBIs and 9 stolen bases.  Hafner is still a good power hitter when healthy and him only playing part time might help keep him in one piece in 2013.  Rivera played in 109 games for the Dodgers last year and he was 76 of 312 (.244 avg, .661 OPS) with 30 runs scored, 9 homers, 47 RBIs and 1 stolen base.  He has now played in 1,058 games in his first 12 years in the majors and he is 950 of 3,471 (.274 avg, .766 OPS) with 425 runs scored, 132 homers, 539 RBIs and 17 stolen bases.  38-year old Derek Jeter and 37-year old Alex Rodriguez could also see some time at DH at some point in the 2013 season.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE DESIGNATED HITTERS IN 2013:  C+

The Yankees signed 33-year old righty swinging Kevin Youkilis to take over as the starting 3B in 2013.  He played in 122 games for the Red Sox and White Sox last year and he was 103 of 438 (.235 avg, .745 OPS) with 72 runs scored, 19 homers and 60 RBIs.  He played in 111 games (107 starts) at 3B last year and he had 9 errors there while showing slightly below average range.  Youkilis has now played in 1,033 games in his first 9 years in the majors and he is 1,030 of 3,644 (.283 avg, .867 OPS) with 641 runs scored, 148 homers, 610 RBIs and 26 stolen bases.  Youkilis was signed because 37-year old righty swinging Alex Rodriguez waited until January to have his hip surgery.  He will miss at least the first half of the 2013 season and he could get suspended by baseball on top of that if the Biogenesis scandal breaks the wrong way for him.  Rodriguez played in 122 games for the Yankees last year and he was 126 of 463 (.272 avg, .783 OPS) with 74 runs scored, 18 homers, 57 RBIs and 13 stolen bases.  He played in 81 games (all starts) at 3B last year and he had 8 errors while showing pretty poor range there.  Rodriguez has now played in 2,524 games in his first 19 years in the majors and he is 2,901 of 9,662 (.300 avg, .945 OPS) with 1,898 runs scored, 647 homers, 1,950 RBIs and 318 stolen bases.  He will likely DH when he comes back, as his defense is going down hill lately.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE THIRD BASEMEN IN 2013:  B-

38-year old righty swinging SS Derek Jeter broke his ankle last year in the playoffs while fielding a routine ground ball.  The Yankees hope that Jeter isn’t getting brittle, because they need his bat.  Jeter played in 159 games for the Yankees last year and he was 216 of 683 (.316 avg, .791 OPS) with 99 runs scored, 15 homers, 58 RBIs and 9 stolen bases.  He played in 135 games (133 starts) for the Yankees at SS last year and he had 10 errors, but his range was pathetic as it seems to be declining every day.  Jeter has now played in 2,585 games in his first 18 years in the majors and he is 3,304 of 10,551 (.313 avg, .829 OPS) with 1,868 runs scored, 255 homers, 1,254 RBIs and 348 stolen bases.  25-year old righty swinging Eduardo Nunez will likely be Jeter’s top backup in 2013.  Nunez got into the Dog House last year due to his pitiful defensive play.  He played in 16 games (13 starts) at SS for the Yankees last year and he had 4 errors and showed below average range there.  Nunez played in 38 games for the Yankees overall last year and he was 26 of 89 (.292 avg, .723 OPS) with 14 runs scored, 1 homer, 11 RBIs and 11 stolen bases.  He has now played in 180 games in his first three years with the Yankees and he is 122 of 448 (.272 avg, .701 OPS) with 64 runs scored, 7 homers, 48 RBIs and 38 stolen bases.  33-year old righty swinging Gil Velazquez will also get a shot to win a job on the Yankees’ bench.  He played in 19 games for the Marlins last year and he was 13 of 56 (.232 avg, .496 OPS) with 2 runs scored, 0 homers and 2 RBIs.  He also played in 110 games in AAA-ball last year for the Marlins in which he was 124 of 398 (.312 avg, .775 OPS) with 52 runs scored, 4 homers, 42 RBIs and 6 stolen bases.  Velazquez has now played in 32 games in his first four years in the majors and he is 17 of 72 (.236 avg, .503 OPS) with 2 runs scored, 0 homers and 4 RBIs.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE SHORTSTOPS IN 2013:  B+