5 key spring training questions for Yankees

1. Who’s the fifth?

If the Yankees aren’t successful in their attempts to trade A.J. Burnett, a fascinating three-for-one battle will commence for the fifth-starter spot, with Burnett joined by Freddy Garcia and Phil Hughes. The Yankees’ preference is to trade Burnett and hope Hughes puts a hammerlock on the job with a standout spring training. But Garcia is a proud veteran coming off a bounce-back season who sees himself as more than insurance. The competition with Burnett still around? Nothing less than a circus.

2. How about the backup backstop?

Jesus Montero and, to a lesser degree, Austin Romine were given a chance last spring training to win the backup catcher job and supplant Francisco Cervelli, but neither performed well. Cervelli says he’s over the concussion issues that caused him to miss the last month of the season, but Romine, a top catching prospect who impressed Joe Girardi with his defense in September, will be given every opportunity to win the job as Russell Martin’s backup.

3. Who’s going to DH?

Russell Branyan was brought in as an alternative if the Yankees aren’t able to reach an agreement with one of the three DH candidates they’re looking at: Raul Ibañez, Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui. The team’s ability to sign one of the trio could be contingent upon trading Burnett, which would free up some cash. If none of those DH options is signed, Branyan, 36, will have a real shot to grab a roster spot.

4. What about Derek?

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Derek Jeter will turn 38 on June 26, the same month last season he went on the disabled list while mired in the worst half-season of his career. But after returning from the DL on July 4, Jeter looked reborn, hitting .331 the rest of the way and mostly quieting the clamor about dropping him in the lineup. So at this age, which Jeter should fans expect? The long season ultimately will determine that, but how the shortstop looks, whether the results count or not, is always a story line.

5. Tex to bunt? Really?

Mark Teixeira, who said he hasn’t bunted in a game since his freshman year of high school, made headlines in late January when he declared he planned to work on his bunting in spring training to dissuade teams from employing the shift that so frustrated the switch hitter from the left side. But what kind of bunter can he be? “We’ll see,” Teixeira said. “That’s what spring training’s for.”