Yankees open spring with team they hope can make it to fall

Spring training is a time of renewal, as the baseball bards like to say, but for the New York Yankees that means a renewal of pennant pressure, even if it is only February.

That's because anything less than a championship is considered a disappointment in the Bronx, whether that attitude is healthy or not, and that's why the Yankees spend every winter reloading their juggernaut.

This offseason was no different as the Yankees addressed their rotation concerns by adding Michael Pineda and Hiroki Kuroda, and agreeing days before spring camp to trade A.J. Burnett to the Pirates.

The moves meant that their biggest camp question will be whether Phil Hughes or Freddy Garcia will be their No. 5 starter, a much more comfortable position than having to wonder if their starters beyond CC Sabathia are talented enough to carry a playoff-caliber team.

Now, on paper at least, they are, especially if Ivan Nova continues to develop.

Beyond the battle for No. 5, there is little meaningful competition in camp, other than settling the bench and the way-back end of the bullpen. The other questions the Yankees might face don't have anything to do with who will fit what role, but whether the men set in the lineup can stay healthy enough to remain there.

There is little concern about stars such as Robinson Cano or Curtis Granderson staying healthy, but age has already started to affect Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez.

Jeter will be 38 in June and Rodriguez, who hasn't played more than 138 games in a season since 2007, turns 37 in July.

If both play regularly, the Yankees' offense should be set. If they don't, the Yankees will need help on the left side of their infield, which is why Eduardo Nunez could be a big factor on the 2012 team. He can play third and shortstop, and the Yankees like his offensive potential.

The Yankees have one other aging yet key component, closer, Mariano Rivera, who is 42. He has proven to be durable throughout his career and with the care and feeding the Yankees give him, there is little reason to believe he cannot close all year.

If he cannot, either Rafael Soriano or David Robertson could handle the job, but that would take one out of the setup mix, which would severely hurt the bullpen's depth.

In all, spring camp should be relatively peaceful, at least as peaceful as things get for the Yankees. There are few jobs open and team officials are mostly concerned with playoffs getting ready for opening day and not getting hurt.