Playoffs without the Yankees? Its possible.

Imagine a world where the New York Yankees aren't a pure Spring Training lock to be playing in October. Weird isn't it? Well it sure is a real possibility this season. The Yankees have a lot of question around them this year on and off the field.

Some of those include the injuries to a few of the Yankees big stars. Like Derek Jeter who had offseason ankle surgery, both he and the Yankees are hoping he can return to the form we saw him in last year. CC Sabathia has a small elbow operation this winter and the Yankees are hopeful it won't effect the workhorse from throwing another 200 innings in 2013. Mariono Rivera hasn't pitched since last May after suffering a torn ACL, he has a lot to come back on in what should be his final season in pinstripes. Then there's A-Rod who is not only facing so much speculation with all the reported PED involvement with a South Florida clinic, but had hip surgery in January and isn't expected to return until at least mid-season if he returns at all.

Then you could also go and look at what was a very quiet offseason for the new and not very popular budget cutting Yankees. A winter where the Yankees had nothing to do with all the big name free-agents like Hamilton, Bourn, and Greinke. And their biggest signings were the re-signings of Andy Pettitte, Huroki Kuroda, and Ichiro. At least the Yanks were also able to land Kevin Youkilis on a 1-year, $12M deal.

But when you look at what New York lost this offseason, the Bombers aren't even much of the Bombers anymore. The Yankees lost 80 HRs from last year when Eric Chavez (16), Russell Martin (21), Raul Ibaniez (19), and Nick Swisher (24) took all to their power else where during free-agency. And when you think about the fact that the Yanks everyday outfield will most likely be Gardner, Granderson, and Ichiro; Gardner and Ichiro combined for a total of 9 HRs in 2012.

But hey I've been wrong before, plenty of time actually. In 2013 though, maybe the age won't matter. Maybe the injuries won't matter. Maybe the loss of several key players and lack of big signings won't matter. Maybe the Yankees will just go out and prove us all wrong and beat the ball up just as hard as usual. But then again, maybe the age will matter. Maybe talent does in fact win ballgames. And maybe the Yankees won't be the team we had all hoped for.