Yankees Bench

The Yankees are attempting to repeat as AL East Champions in 2012.  As such, they are proceeding with a long list of returning players from 2011.  However, there are going to be some new additions on the team's bench.

1.  Fourth Outfielder:  The fourth outfielder role is designed for defensively strong players.  These players typically will lead bench players in games played, though not necessarily at-bats.  They need to be ready to enter into almost every game when their team has a late lead to protect for defensive purposes.  The front-runner for this role is OF/DH Andruw Jones, who is as ideal a candidate for the role as there ever has been, having won ten Gold Gloves in his career.  Jones had an interesting season last year, only batting .247 in 190 at-bats last season, but hitting 13 homers and playing outstanding defense in that time.  Just for kicks, giggles, insurance, and depth, OF Justin Maxwell and OF DeWayne Wise are competing for the role. 

2.  Utility Infielder:  The utility infielder essentially serves as a jack of all trades for the manager, being able and willing to play anywhere, but he must be able to play both second base and shortstop.  The front-runner for this role is probably IF Eduardo Nunez, a top prospect who filled the role well last season.  Nunez batted .265 with 22 stolen bases in 309 at-bats last season and proved that he is capable of playing second, third, and short.  Also competing for the role are IF Ramiro Pena, IF Doug Bernier, and IF Bill Hall.

3.  Backup Catcher:  The backup catcher basically catches day games after night games, comes in for defense late in games on occasion, and makes a spot start every once in awhile when the starter needs an extra day off.  The front-runner on paper is C Francisco Cervelli, but it's not exactly a closed competition.  Cervelli had a good season last year, batting .266 in 124 at-bats, but his season ended in misery with another concussion and his future is definitely in doubt as post-concussion syndrome has crept in.  He's facing competition from top prospect C Austin Romine, C Jose Gil, C Kyle Higashioka, C Gustavo Molina, C J. R. Murphy, and C Gary Sanchez.

4.  Backup DH:  The Backup DH needs to be a platoon-type player who can do some pinch hitting and can provide a degree of defensive versatility.  Being that DH Raul Ibanez bats left-handed, the backup DH figures to profile as a right-handed hitter.  However, there doesn't appear to be a clear front-runner for this role.  A good fit might be IF Bill Hall, who bats right-handed, can play almost anywhere, and has some power.  Hall had a bad season last year, though, batting .211 with only two homers and 14 runs batted in after 185 at-bats with Houston and San Francisco.  Other right-handed options in camp are Maxwell, Bernier, Romine, Gil, Higashioka, Molina, Murphy, Sanchez, 3B Jayson Nix, 1B Jorge Vazquez, and LF Cole Garner.