As Of Now...

... This would be a potential Opening Day lineup for the 2016 Yankees:

8 Jacoby Ellsbury
7 Brett Gardner
9 Carlos Beltran
3 Mark Teixeira
DH Mr. Rod
2 Brian McCann
4 Starlin Castro
5 Chase Headley
6 Didi Gregorius

That's not bad. It isn't Murderers Row, but it's not bad.

Castro, the newest acquisition, is an interesting Yankee. While I would have been content to see what Rob Refsnyder has in him, the team clearly wasn't comfortable with him alone or in a platoon with Dustin Ackley. They played Refsnyder as little as they could when he was at the Major League level last year, as if there was a secret about him they didn't want exposed. So I'm guessing there's some information we're not getting.

I would not be surprised to see Gardner's name exit the second position in that lineup, assuming the Yankees can get something worthwhile for him. Given the second half he's had in the past two seasons, Gardner is getting something of a reputation as a player who tries too hard and tires himself out or won't let the team know when he's injured. Other teams pay attention to such things and shy away from them.

The starting rotation is a fine one if everyone stays healthy, which is much like saying that it would be wonderful if Donald Trump is elected president, assuming he completely changes everything about himself before Inauguration Day. It would be great if it were possible, but there's pretty much no chance of that happening.

The bullpen is considerably weaker than it was just 10 days ago. Adam Warren is gone, which hurts both the pen and the starting rotation, and if Bryan Mitchell is the likely successor, he's going to have to show more than he did last year. Justin Wilson for a couple of minor league starters with ERAs over 4? It's a head scratcher.

But if one was listening last week during the Winter Meetings (and one was) it was obvious Brian Cashman does not think this is the team we'll see on Opening Day. He clearly doesn't think this is the team that's coming to Spring Training. It might not be the team that makes it to Christmas.

So it's been something of a surprising offseason so far. That lineup looks interesting (although I am not one who thinks Tex and Mr. Rod will be as good this season as last, particularly if they don't get more rest in the first half), but the strength of the team has been damaged by trades.

More to come? I'm willing to bet on it.