MLB

SPRING TRAINING PREVIEW: Pitching remains biggest question for Yankees

(Anthony J. Causi (4); NY Post: Charles Wenzelberg)

TAMPA — When Joe Girardi meets Yankees pitchers tomorrow for the first spring training workout, he will be looking at the biggest question mark of the 2012.

A year ago Girardi was faced with the same situation, but bargain basement additions Freddy Garcia and Bartolo Colon were the headliners.

Now, one season after being ousted from the postseason in the first round by the Tigers because the bats went dead, the pitching questions concern much bigger names.

General manager Brian Cashman said he believes slugger Jesus Montero is the best player he ever has traded. In return, the Yankees received from Seattle towering right-hander Michael Pineda, who many believe will be the No. 2 starter behind CC Sabathia.

But there are other questions: Can Alex Rodriguez’s body, 37 in July, hold up? And what types of numbers can be expected if it does?

Can Curtis Granderson duplicate last year’s MVP-type season? Is it possible David Robertson can improve? What about Rafael Soriano?

Is this the season when age finally invades Mariano Rivera’s cutter?

With the Yankees watching every million, will they shy away from acquiring players in the middle of multi-year contracts when holes need to be filled?

Here are five areas that need to be watched.

ROTATION

Sending A.J. Burnett to Pittsburgh left six names for five spots. Sabathia is the ace, but after him there is a lot of gray.

Pineda pitched well in the first half of last year with Seattle but not very well in the second half. The upside is Pineda’s age (23) and live fastball. Yet, he needs to develop and believe in a change-up for a third pitch. He also has to stay on top of his body. He says he reported to camp at 280 pounds, which is 10 more than he said he finished at last season.

Ivan Nova won 16 games last year as a rookie when run support was strong. Is that win total too much to ask now that MLB hitters have gotten an extended look at him?

Freddy Garcia, 35, was brought back for $4 million to be part of the rotation. Can he deliver a dozen wins again?

Hiroki Kuroda snared a one-year, $10 million deal and is trading the comfort of working in the anemic NL West to the muscular AL East.

Cashman said he views Phil Hughes as a starter. Nevertheless, if Pineda, Nova, Garcia and Kuroda pitch well in the exhibition season, Hughes likely will land in the pen.

LINEUP

A lineup that housed Rodriguez, Derek

Jeter, Mark Teixeira, Robinson Cano, Granderson and Nick Swisher was the reason the Yankees lost to the Tigers in the ALDS.

Because the focus was on improving the rotation, the lineup wasn’t adjusted much. DH Jorge Posada is gone but the core remains intact. Is that good or bad?

Rodriguez, Teixeira and Swisher were awful against the Tigers. Too small of a sample? Or a troubling sign of decline?

Girardi likely is to bat Cano third and Teixeira fifth, like he did late in the season and all five ALDS games.

Brett Gardner has to hit higher than .259 to play every day in left, where Andruw Jones might push him for playing time against lefties.

BULLPEN

On the surface, it’s foolish even to think Rivera will succumb to age. Last year, the all-time save leader converted 44 of 49 save chances, posted a 1.91 ERA and appeared to be 31 instead of 41.

Robertson was sensational in the setup role, but if Rivera experiences a drop-off or injury, there is no guarantee Robertson can assume closer duties because he has never done it. Soriano has, but his season in pinstripes didn’t instill a lot of confidence.

DESIGNATED HITTER

The plan is to add a veteran lefty hitter — Raul Ibanez — to face right-handers and use Rodriguez, Jeter, Teixeira and Jones against lefties.

Montero was slated to be the full-time DH, but his power-potential was sacrificed for Pineda.

PITCHING DEPTH

An injury or poor performance in the rotation can be supported by five starters at Triple-A who are close to being ready for the majors. Of course, in the Yankees’ universe they always are close to being dealt, too.

Delin Betances and Manuel Banuelos are the high-profile names, but Adam Warren, D.J. Mitchell and David Phelps all are viewed as ready to help.

george.king@nypost.com