Spring training officially starts this week and with it a full month to find out what kind of Yankee team we can expect for 2015. This offseason was more about the moves the Yankees didn’t make. Instead of a typical shopping spree to appease fans cranky about back to back October-less seasons, Brian Cashman and the Steinbrenners are looking more to get value out of what they already have, especially players like C.C. Sabathia and Mark Teixeira. Additionally, the sin of A-Roids $275 million contract casts a large cloud over the Bronx and the new Yankee regime is more about reason than giving into panic. The biggest move the Yankees made was locking up Chase Headley for 4 years at $52 million, and most agree it was a sensible baseball move.

What to make of the 2015 Yankees? Way too soon to tell. As with each of the previous two seasons the best you can say about the Yankees is that they have potential. I know potential is the same as a friend who describes a prospective blind date as having a great personality but potential is what the Yankees have. Just hoping the fans and media have the much needed patience to go with it.

On the offensive side no significant upgrades were made, which is a bit troubling considering the Yankees finished 20th in all of baseball in runs scored last season. It seems as if the Yankee brass are willing to take a mulligan on last year and see what healthy versions of Carlos Beltran, Mark Teixeira, and A-Roid can provide, if such versions exist. A full year in the Bronx should give Chase Headley an opportunity to improve on his solid 2nd half of 2014. Chase Headley can easily become the new Scott Brosius: a solid 3B defender who provides a steady presence in the lower third of the lineup. Brett Gardner and Jacoby Ellsbury can easily be the best 1-2 punch in all of baseball, depending on their durability. Chris Young will provide much needed power and defense as the 4th OF and Garrett Jones will provide the same at 1B, backing up Teixeira, and as the left-handed option at DH. And Brian McCann had a much better year in 2014 than the sabermasochists will ever give him credit for. The Yankee catcher can be just as good in 2015, if not better.

The starting pitching is in a precarious state of uncertainty. From Sabathia and Ivan Nova returning from injury to Masahiro Tanaka’s elbow tear being monitored like the latest ISIS threat to Michael Pineda’s injury history and newly acquired Nathan Eovaldi, we may see a repeat of 2014 where the Yankees led the league in both number of starting pitchers used and starts by rookies. And the recent notion of using a six man rotation needs to be shot down quicker than Ben Carson’s presidential aspirations. It is next to impossible to have a healthy five man rotation but that’s what you start with and then bring in the second wave when necessary. Both Chase Whitley and Chris Capuano will see plenty of action, both in relief and as designated backup starters.

The defense should be the one thing the Yankees can count on with an infield consisting of Headley, Didi Gregorious, Stephen Drew, and Teixeira. The outfield with Gardner, Ellsbury, and Beltran can be considered above average, especially with Chris Young in the wings. And the behind the plate Brian McCann has proven himself to be up to the task of nursing the unpredictable rotation and keeping prospective baserunners at bay with his league- leading throw-out percentage.

The bullpen is another prospective strength of the Yankees, even with the loss of David Robertson to free agency. As last year proved, the Yankees seem to have an unending supply of reliable arms ready to get the ball to the designated closer, who looks to be last year’s rookie phenom Dellin Betances. The addition of Andrew Miller also secures the team a 2nd closer and prime 8th inning option.

As for A-Roid, I guess the Yankees will just take what they can get. After all, A-Roid is not walking away from $61 million over the next three years and the Yankees will not just pay him to go away. And by the way, A-Roid’s letter of apology couldn’t have been more cloying and melodramatic if it had been set to the tune of John Legend’s “All of Me.” On the one hand, A-Roid cannot be much worse than the DH options that the Yankees have employed over the past two seasons. On the other hand, A-Roid will milk the situation for all of the attention and play martyr for anyone willing to buy it. Just go away, A-Roid. Real Yankee fans are trying to root for actual players.

Overall, the AL East looks wide open. The Blue Jays made a big splash this offseason but they do that every offseason and the Sawx added much-needed offense but lack a number one starter. I would not be surprised if it only takes 85 wins this year to take the division.

One month to go and another exciting season of baseball ahead. Is there anything more promising for baseball fans, young and old alike?