After a relaxing week in the Cayman Islands, I'm back in lovely, frigid New Jersey and ready to think (and blog) about the Thunder. There should be an announcement in the next couple of weeks regarding the team's coaching staff for 2012,

Anyway, to the predictions, which I'm sure are what you care about most. I've been thinking about this for the past couple of weeks, tossing around a few of system's sexier names and wondering what the team will look like come April.

From where I sit, it appears that this year's club, at least for the first half of the season is going to look very much like it looked at the end of 2011. Aside from catcher and second base, the starting nine should be untouched.

A few familiar names should show up in the bullpen, which otherwise should feature more than a few strong-armed college relievers.

With that said, here's my initial guess at which 24 men will be on Trenton's roster on Opening Day against New Hampshire.

1. Kyle Higashioka - Catcher

2. Mitch Abeita - Catcher

3. Luke Murton - First Base

4. David Adams - Second Base

5. Jose Pirela - Shortstop

6. Brad Suttle - Third Base

7. DeAngelo Mack - Left Field

8. Melky Mesa - Center Field

9. Zoilo Almonte - Right Field

10. Rob Lyerly - Designated Hitter

11. Yadil Mujica - Utility

12. Walter Ibarra - Utility

13. Brett Marshall - Starting Pitcher

14. Graham Stoneburner - Starting Pitcher

15. Mikey O'Brien - Starting Pitcher

16. Sean Black - Starting Pitcher

17. Craig Heyer - Starting Pitcher

18. Dan Burawa - Relief Pitcher

19. Grant Duff - Relief Pitcher

20. Chase Whitley - Relief Pitcher

21. Preston Claiborne - Relief Pitcher

22. Ryan Flannery - Relief Pitcher

23. Noel Castillo - Relief Pitcher

24. Kramer Sneed - Relief Pitcher

Also in the mix: Ryan Baker (C), Jose Gil (C), Addison Maruszak (Utility), Jeremy Bleich (SP).

I have in my hands what I've been told by someone with a fair knowledge of the situation is "pretty much" the Opening Day roster. Instead of yammering about it, I'll just give it to you.

Pitchers
Cory Arbiso
Wilkins Arias
Manny Banuelos
Dellin Betances
Steve Garrison
Shaeffer Hall
Fernando Hernandez
Craig Heyer
Kei Igawa
Tim Norton
Noaya Okamoto
Graham Stoneburner
Pat Venditte

Catchers
Austin Romine
Myron Leslie

Infielders
David Adams - will start the year on the DL, won't actually come north with the team
Corban Joseph
Addison Maruszak
Yadil Mujica
Jose Pirela
Jack Rye
Brad Suttle

Outfielders
Cody Johnson
Austin Krum
Ray Kruml
Melky Mesa
Damon Sublett

Now, I know what you're thinking. You're thinking: Josh, even without Adams, that's 26 players. You're right. It is. Two players will open the season on the "disabled list," I'm certain. I have a few ideas, but I'm not going to share them right now.

Tomorrow is the last full day of The Trentonian's trip to Tampa, and it's also the last (scheduled) game against real opponents (the Blue Jays) before minor league spring training ends. There will be a pair of split-squad games on Sunday, after which the players will head toward their new homes for the next five months.

Now that some cuts have been made, it's time for one final Thunder roster prediction before the Opening Day on April 7.

1. Austin Romine - C
2. Jose Gil - C
3. Brad Suttle - 1B
4. Corban Joseph - 2B
5. Jose Pirela - SS
6. Addison Maruszak - 3B
7. Melky Mesa - OF
8. Damon Sublett - OF
9. Cody Johnson - OF
10. Luis Nunez - IF
11. Jack Rye - OF
12. Myron Leslie - UT
13. Manny Banuelos -LHSP
14. Dellin Betances - RhSP
15. Graham Stoneburner -RHSP
16. Shaeffer Hall - LHSP
17. Craig Heyer - RHSP
18. Cory Arbiso - RHRP
19. Steve Garrison - LHRP
20. Pat Venditte - SHRP
21. Kei Igawa - LHRP
22. Tim Norton - RHRP
23. Wilkins Arias - LHRP
24. Noel Castillo - RHRP

And, to close out the evening, here's a quick interview with Leonel Vinas, the kid the Yankees plucked from their own scout team, Hank's Yanks, and signed to a pro contract. Enjoy.

With my long vacation over, it's time to make another guess at what the Thunder's roster will look like come Opening Day. The injury to Francisco Cervelli may send ripples down the system's catching depth chart.

Additionally, Mark Newman confirmed to John Sickels that Adam Warren and Andrew Brackman will start the year in the Scranton rotation with David Phelps, D.J. Mitchell and Hector Noesi.

So, with those revelations in mind, here's an updated Thunder roster prediction:

1. Jose Gil - C
2. Myron Leslie -C
3. Brad Suttle - 1B
4. Corban Joseph - 2B
5. Jose Pirela - SS
6. David Adams - 3B
7. Luis Nunez - UI
8. Justin Snyder - UT
9. Cody Johnson - OF
10. Melky Mesa - OF
11. Austin Krum - OF
12. Dellin Betances - SP
13. Manny Banuelos - SP
14. Graham Stoneburner - SP
15. Shaeffer Hall - SP
16. Craig Heyer -SP
17. Cory Arbiso -RP
18. Grant Duff - RP
19. Tim Norton - RP
20. Trenton Lare - RP
21. Wilkins Arias - RP
22. Pat Venditte - RP
23. Phil Bartleski - RP
24. Noel Castillo - RP

A few thoughts about that incarnation of the roster: The 30-year-old Arias highlights what could be very aged set of relievers. ... The lineup should be very balanced, as far as handedness goes. Joseph, Krum, Johnson, Snyder are all left-handed, and Suttle and Leslie are switch-hitters. ... A few other position players who could also land in Trenton: Ray Kruml, Addison Maruszak, Zoilo Almonte.