What the 2011 New York Yankees might look like

The 2011 New York Yankees roster could see quite a few changes, especially if they are successful in the 2011 free agent market. Bigger questions come from their own free agents though, because these Yankees have quite a few players that still aren't under contract for the 2011 MLB season. The Yankees currently have salary commitments of $142.35 million in 2011, but that only covers 10 players on a 25-man roster. The biggest chunks go to Alex Rodriguez(notes) ($31 million), CC Sabathia(notes) ($23 million), and Mark Teixeira(notes) ($22.5 million). That doesn't mean that they will be the top three salaries on the 2011 roster though.

Three names are vacant from the 2011 New York Yankees roster; Derek Jeter(notes), Mariano Rivera(notes), and Andy Pettitte(notes) are not under contract with the Yankees at this time. All three have the best chance to re-sign with the Yankees, but the question will be what their rates end up being, and if the Yankees feel that they might have to pay too much in order to keep them interested. Jeter is going to need around $20 million, Rivera will need around $13-$15 million, and Pettitte will have to be convinced that he shouldn't retire at this point. The Yankees probably need all three back on the roster in order to make another playoff run, so management will probably focus on them first.

Getting those three players back under contract will easily push the Yankees payroll past $180 million for 2011, and that doesn't even begin to discuss the free agent market. It is assumed that they will let Lance Berkman(notes) walk, and that they are going to be making significant offers to both Cliff Lee(notes) and Carl Crawford(notes) in the free agent market. Both players are looking for big paydays, and the Yankees seem like the best option to make that come true. Crawford could walk right into a starting slot in left field, even if that means that the Yankees will need to part ways with Marcus Thames(notes) and Brett Gardner(notes). Gardner could be someone that fetches a lot of action in the trade market.

With an outfield of Crawford, Curtis Granderson(notes), and Nick Swisher(notes), the Yankees could have one of the better hitting outfields around. That would then allow them to focus attention on Cliff Lee, who is easily the best pitcher available in the 2011 free agent market. Lee could be looking to make close to $20 million per season, and if the Yankees can make that wish come true, he would be the best starting pitcher on their roster. Having Lee, Sabathia, and Phil Hughes(notes) at the beginning of the starting rotation would make their staff one of the best in the game. Getting Pettitte back at that point would just be icing on the cake.

The 2011 New York Yankees are certainly going to look a bit different, but there are so many questions left in regards to how the free agent market plays out that anything could happen at this point.