Roster prediction v.1

After the bullpen's disappointing game, I'll make some early Spring Training roster predictions.

What we know:
Damon
Jeter
Abreu
Arod
Giambi
Posada
Cano
Shelley
Melky

Matsui
Molina
Open spot

Wang
Pettitte
Moose
Hughes
Kennedy

Rivera
Farnsworth
Hawkins
Joba
Open spot 1
Open spot 2
Open spot 3
Open spot 4

The five open spots are up for grabs. Girardi will probably take one more position player, probably a utility infielder (because they already have five outfielders: Damon, Melky, Abreu, Matsui, Shelley) such as Wilson Betemit, Morgan Ensberg, Nick Green, Bernie Castro or Chris Woodward. I'm giving it to Betemit because although he hasn't hit well so far, he broke out today with a long double, always has good patience, is a young switch-hitter and has enough experience (and ability) to play any infield position (450 innings at SS and 2b, and over 1500 innings at the corners). Don't count out Morgan Ensberg though, who has a 116 OPS+ and kills lefties.

The far more intriguing aspect is the bullpen. Four spots remain (assuming Joba begins there). Bruney, Edwar and Alby are quickly pitching themselves out of the equation - Igawa and Henn are southpaws but can't find the strike zone: those five are out. Karstens has done fine so I believe he'll be the long reliever which will help spell the rotation in April (when they have only one day off). Billy Traber will be the lefty, having done well so far (2 ip, 0 h, 3 Ks, 0 bb) and throws harder than the other lefty, Heath Phillips. Chris Britton will get the third spot: great minor league numbers (with solid ML numbers in limited time), good control and two quality pitches. One spot left... both have good stuff, but I'm giving it to Ross Ohlendorf over Jose Veras because of better control and better groundball rates.

However, as the season progresses, I expect a lot of changes to take place. Mark Melancon, Dan McCutchen, Scott Patterson, Alan Horne, Jeff Marquez and Humberto Sanchez could all move up to the Bronx pen. I really like what I've seen from the first two in ST, but they're farther away than Horne and Marquez. It's a good problem to have. What looks like a first half weakness could turn into a second half strength (like last year).