Mark Newman gave Chad Jennings at LoHud a nice breakdown of the backup infielder situation for the 2010 Yanks. Here are some highlights….

Eduardo Nunez has a strong bat, moderate speed, and his plate discipline is improving. However, he is the least experienced of the crop and tends to make his fair share of errors. Okay, like enough errors for three people. Because of that, expect him to be in Scranton when the season starts. He needs to get his reps in, learn to be a reliable fielder, and then he’ll be considered for the Bronx.

Reegie Corona is speedy and can flash the leather at short and second, his primary position. Reegie struggled to hit at triple-A early on, but ended ’09 on a strong note. Jennings noted the other day that Corona is tearing up the Venezuelan Winter League with a .328 average and a .447 on-base percentage. He’s a serious candidate to make the big league squad, especially if he can keep hitting. If my memory serves correctly, Seattle took him in last year’s Rule V draft, but he was returned to the Yanks when Seattle decided not to keep him on the 25-man all year. Not certain of that, but I’m like…78% sure that’s right.

The “most advanced hitter” of the candidates is Kevin Russo, but he’s spent a lot more time at second base than shortstop. He has a strong enough arm to cover third base when Clutch-rod needs to rest, and he even has some outfield experience on his resume. Newman thinks Russo is best defensively at third, even though he’s played his fair share of second. Newman compared him to Jerry Hairston, a compliment in Yankee-land.

Ramiro Pena was a nice option for the Yanks last year when Angel Berroa and Cody Ransom proved to be…well…bad at baseball. Newman thinks Pena will be in New York, noting that “Those guys really like him.” I’d assume “those guys” are the big league ballplayers. My second guess is the front office guys (Cashman and Billy Eppler). He’s the best defender of the four, stellar at short, and capable at third, as he demonstrated in’09. He played a few games in center field in ’09, but even if Gardner or Melky is dealt, I wouldn’t expect him to see much time out there with Jamie Hoffman on the roster and Curtis Granderson slated to be the everyday starter. Pena is best suited for the team if the Yanks have another bat on the bench.

The Yankee bench will likely have Francisco Cervelli, a utility infielder, Jamie Hoffman, and either Melky or Gardner. In that situation, I’d think Russo or Corona would be the utility man. If Melky or Gardy is traded though, then the Yanks might carry Pena plus a power-bat type (a la Eric Hinkse) on the roster. In-house, that bat could be outfielder Colin Curtis or first baseman Jorge Vasquez. The free agent market could offer Hinske, Rich Aurilia, Robb Quinlan, Gabe Gross, or Aaron Boone (!). Okay, maybe Boone’s unrealistic, but a guy can be nostalgic can’t he?

Personally, I’d rather see Vasquez on the big league squad than an investment in an out-of-house option. He hit .329/.357/.578 with 56 RBI’s in 57 games at double-A Trenton. The Mexican League veteran would be a nice power option off the bench. So the ideal situation, for me, would involve either Gardner or Melky being traded (shed a tear if you must) or Jamie Hoffman being returned to the Dodger. Then Pena and Vasquez being promoted to the 25-man for Opening Day. Of course, rosters are constantly changing, so we’ll wait to see how this all pans out.