Now batting … for the Yankees … right-fielder … number 46 … Aaron Guiel … number 46.

Ok, so the Yankees’ 2006 season has not been as bad as all that. But after years of hearing radio hosts complain about the Yanks’ spending on free agents and acquiring veterans for prospects at the trade deadline, this season has been a humbling experience for the Bronx Bombers.

Yes, the Yankees came into the season with the all-star stacked, $200 million lineup they always do. And yes, The Boss did essentially guarantee a World Series victory during spring training. No pressure there.

But, as we have all learned, not everything always goes according to plan.

The Yanks found themselves off to yet another mediocre start, often finding themselves relegated to page two duty as the red hot Mets became the talk of the town. All of that was compounded when Gary Sheffield, originally hurt in a base-running mishap, tried to return to the field too soon, worsening his injury. Hideki Matsui then broke his wrist playing the field, meaning both Yankee corner outfielders were effectively done for the regular season.

And in a short period of time comparable to the Binghamton drop deadline, the Yankees were in a position where Boston was preparing to pull away, and the Yankee veterans and minor league call-ups would have to help the Bombers stay in the race for much of the year.

And somehow, it worked. Just when everyone was sure the Yankees were headed towards a miserable rebuilding year, the Bombers came up big.

The fact that the Yankees are in the position they are in now can be attributed to the leadership of the most under-appreciated player in sports. Derek Jeter has proven his worth this year, leading the team while many of his fellow all-stars spent the summer as absent as Katie Holmes. He is the American League MVP; there is no question about it.

And do not discount the impact of the other Yankee veterans who contributed this year. Bernie Williams decided to come back as a bench player, took a $15 million pay cut, and was rewarded with a prominent role on this year’s team.

Jorge Posada also found a second wind, while Mike Mussina, who was one of the league’s best pitchers in the first half, anchored the pitching staff. And after 10 years, that Rivera guy still makes it look easy.

Contributions also came from youngsters not expected to even be on the roster, starting with the 2006 version of Melky Cabrera, who looked nothing like the lost overmatched kid we saw in 2005.

The 22-year-old did an admirable job filling in for Matsui on short notice. He was especially a threat in the field, as runners no longer risked running on the cannon attached to his left shoulder. Andy Phillips also made strides as the year went on, coming up with big hits that earned him a spot in the everyday lineup for much of the summer.

And credit the quick maturation of two of the Yankees’ biggest weapons with keeping the ship level all season. Robinson Cano and Chien-Ming Wang, at just 23 and 26 years of age, have both had outstanding years. Cano has become one of the best natural hitters in the game, and Wang, albeit very quietly, has had a Cy Young-caliber season.

The new acquisitions have also paid dividends. Johnny Damon’s adjustment period to the Bronx took as long as it took for Mets fans to accept dealing Kaz Matsui, and Bobby Abreu has been very solid since coming over from the Phillies. Give General Manager Brian Cashman credit for acquiring Abreu without surrendering any top prospects.

What does all of that add up to? Another Boston massacre and a clear road to a ninth-straight AL East title.

There are still holes in the Yankee front; the bullpen remains spotty at times, A-Rod still needs to come up big, Hideki Matsui will be missed in a big spot and if Carl Pavano makes it back to the Bronx before the actual Jon Benet killer is found, it will be a shock.

Nevertheless, the fact that the Yankees didn’t fall flat is encouraging, to say the very least. The 2006 season almost feels like 1996, when the payroll may have been microscopic compared to now, but players handled their roles in the same way by doing the little things, and the no-names were just as important as the big guns.

Subway Series, anyone?