New York Yankees

Via Joel Sherman of the NY Post:

Via Joel Sherman of the New York Post:

The Yankees catching job is going to be one of the biggest focuses after the starting rotation this spring.

So it comes as no surprise that both Russell Martin and Jesus Montero have reported to spring training nearly a week early.

I attended my first game at the "new" Yankee Stadium last summer, folks; it's hard to believe the "old" one has been leveled and the reality of the whole thing is still sinking in.

If you're looking for a scapegoat as you stare at the Yankees' funny-if-it-weren't-so-sad starting rotation, you might as well go with Joba Chamberlain. The man's already a human punching bag at this point, so I doubt he'll mind.

Had Chamberlain developed as the team expected, the departure of Andy Pettitte wouldn't feel like such a cataclysmic event.

Late in the first quarter of Super Bowl XLV, the camera flashed New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez sitting with his girlfriend Cameron Diaz.
 
Diaz was feeding A-Rod popcorn at the moment, and Fox’s Joe Buck was elated to have caught the slugger being feed like a baby. It was typical A-rod awkward.
 

Well, the Super Bowl is over, and that only means only thing: the countdown to Opening Day has just begun. There are 51 days left until then (as of Monday, February 7). That gives us just about a month and a half to prepare.

The Yankees have had an interesting offseason; and by interesting, I really mean disappointing. Highlighted by the failed signing of ace Cliff Lee, the Yankees also watched its two toughest division opponents go in opposite directions.

Before we look ahead to this season, let’s recap last year.

Alex Rodriguez has been known to upstage a major sporting event in the middle to draw attention to himself, and the 2011 Super Bowl was no exception.

While the Green Bay Packers battled the Pittsburgh Steelers, Alex Rodriguez was sitting in his luxury box with his beau Cameron Diaz.  Surely, Rodriguez must have realized that he would be seen when Diaz started feeding popcorn to Rodriguez during the second quarter.

Andy Pettitte, who announced his retirement from baseball on Friday, pitched 15 seasons in the major leagues for the New York Yankees and Houston Astros. With New York, in stints spread from 1995 to 2003 and 2007 to 2010, he won five World Series championships.

Kevin Millwood, who is represented by Scott Boras, is reportedly asking for at least $4-$5 million in the free agent market.

That is a ton for a pitcher who has had an ERA north of 5.00 in three out of the last four seasons.