Well, I've loved Shelley Duncan from the get go, So I'd probably plug him in at first. Gonzalez as a back-up infielder, and I've not really seen Ramirez, but from your report I'd plug him in as a Middle Reliever.
For Catcher, I'd try to get Jorge Posada back. You just can't replace his type of numbers, and he knows the pitching staff already.
As I stated earlier, I'd plug Eric Duncan in it at first, and just see if he develops. Andy Phillips is a suitable back-up in my opinion and although, it makes first base sort of a weakness, in that lineup it wouldn't hurt that much.
Second Base, obviously you have Cano, who will start, and depending on what you carry, I'm sure Luis Castillo wouldn't mind coming, and Gonzalez can probably be plugged in at short or 2nd if you just want to stick with him.
Shortstop.Jeter.
Third Base, Wilson Betemit is probably who I'd throw here. Not the complete package for a third baseman, and definitely not A-Rod, but since the Yankees said they won't negotiate with A-Rod, he's ruled out. For a back-up I'd probably go out and sign Pedro Feliz, He'd probably be pretty cheap, and he's versatile, can fill in anywhere.
Left Field, Hideki Matsui gets the nod as a starter. I might try and sign a guy like Wilkerson who again, gives you versatility and can play each OF position. not to shabby of a hitter(I'm not looking at stats, so bear with me)
Center Field, I'm torn between them going out and getting a guy like Hunter, or if he'd come cheap, Andruw Jones. Both have strong arms, good bats, and are good defensively. Johnny Damon, I'm just not so sure he's got the same hitting and fielding and speed that brought him to the Yankees in the first place.
Right Field.Cabrera
DH, Jason Giambi, Wilkerson can fill in here also.
Pitching
Starters, i'd probably go with Pettitte, Chamberlain, Mussina, Wang, Hughes. Two wiley veterans supplemented by three young arms.
As for bullpen arms, I'd definitely try and get Mariano Rivera back to close the games out, if he doesn't want to, Fransisco Cordero shouldn't be to shabby either. If you can get Rivera, I might try and get Cordero to be a set-up guy. Otherwise, Kerry Wood has shown flashes that make him. Scott Linebrink looks good, but he kinda tailed off at the end of last year, I'd still take him though. Joe Kennedy can be a spot-starter middle reliever and he's a left-hander so I'd throw him in there as well.
So here's how it looks:
C: Jorge Posada, Wil Nieves
1B: Shelley Duncan, Andy Phillips
2B: Robinson Cano, Alberto Gonzalez
SS: Derek Jeter, Alberto Gonzalez
3B: Wilson Betemit, Pedro Feliz
LF: Hideki Matsui, Brad Wilkerson
CF: Torii Hunter, Johnny Damon
RF: Melky Cabrera, Brad Wilkerson
DH: Jason Giambi, Brad Wilkerson, Johnny Damon
SP: Andy Pettitte, Mike Mussina, Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain, Chien-Ming Wang
RP: Joe Kennedy, Scott Linebrink, Fransisco Cordero, Kei Igawa, Brian Bruney, Ian Kennedy, Edwar Ramirez
CP: Mariano Rivera
You'll have to forgive if I've botched, I'm doing this on and off as I'm in class
