How the Yankees’ season might play out:
CRAZY EIGHTH: Joba Chamberlain pitches himself to the minors, but the Yankees are fine in the eighth inning as David Robertson competently handles the role.
MONTERO’S THE MAN: Jorge Posada strains his hamstring in July and the Yankees believe enough in the defensive advancement of top prospect Jesus Montero that he gets the call. Montero is adequate behind the plate and hits so well that the Yanks keep him up for the rest of the season as a combo catcher/DH, giving him plenty of time as a catcher because Posada’s penchant to botch pitches becomes more epidemic.
VET BATS MISSED: The Yanks are happy to have Montero’s bat because — despite the MVP-type seasons of Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira — the losses of Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui do hurt the offense. So the Yanks contemplate trading for a left fielder with Houston’s Hunter Pence, Texas’ Nelson Cruz and the White Sox’ Carlos Quentin all attracting their interest before they decide to stay put.
PAIN IN THE NICK: The Yankees are also happy to have Montero’s bat because their projected DH Nick Johnson misses the second half of the season with a wrist injury. Wait, is it even a prediction any more to forecast Nick Johnson on the DL?
DANKS A LOT: Andy Pettitte begins to finally look his age and A.J. Burnett takes a decisive step back. So the Yankees package Chamberlain (still a good trade chip even if he really did ever get sent to the minors), Alfredo Aceves and Austin Romine to the White Sox for John Danks.
CANO IN THE CLUTCH: Robbie Cano does have that breakthrough year when he hits well with runners in scoring position and concentrates fully on defense, a combo that earns him the Silver Slugger and the Gold Glove. However, Curtis Granderson’s problems against lefties persist.
joel.sherman@nypost.com