Spring Training 2011

No matter how many homeruns he hit, A-Rod just couldn't stretch like Jeter.

At long last, the dirty snow is melting, the birds are chirping, and I'm wondering how I'm ever going to get rid of this year's Christmas tree that's still in the backyard.  Yes, it's Spring Training time!  Spring may be a few weeks away (maybe less if you believe in that rat in Punxatawney, PA) but the sunny pictures from Tampa start to give you a glimmer of hope that the winter won't last forever.  So without further ado, here is the DMR's Spring Training thoughts:

How Fat is Joba?

What happened to my mojo?

So it seems Mr. Chamberlain showed up to camp a bit above his playing weight.  Of course he's guarding the actual number like the discreet lady that he is.  For a guy chiseling his name into the Wikipedia entry for "flash in the pan", seems like he's heading in the wrong direction

How Thin is CC?

It Takes a Village

Unlike Joba, CC shed some poundage and has reported to camp 25 lbs lighter.  He attributes it to giving up his daily box of Cap'n Crunch.  Getting back under the three-century mark should help his knee which was scoped in the offseason.  He's also got an opt-out at the end of the year so perhaps he's a little bit determined to cash in again after a successful '11 campaign

Did AJ Find God?

Hope?

We don't know but everyone seems to be on the AJ's "season of redemption" kick because, let's face it, he was Kei Igawa-like last year.  So, on one hand, he can't get any worse (can he?) or maybe all his electric stuff finally comes together.

Jeter:  To Stride of Not to Stride

Sabermetrical

Okay this graphic above breaks down . . .actually I have no idea but the point is Derek Jeter after years of gracing us with his Jeterian swing has made an adjustment to said swing which entails less of a stride.  He started doing it as Kevin Long's (aka the Greatest Hitting Instructor in history) suggestion late last year and finished the year strong to bring his alltime low average up to .270.  It will be fun watching him chase down that 3,000th his this year and watching his soon-to-be wife Minka Kelly on Parenthood.

The Has-Been Brigade

Is that Bartman?

Inning Eater

Burrito Eater

Happy Aruban

Forget Cliff Lee, theYankees went on an off-season buying frenzy of old-timers and never wassers(sic?) hoping perhaps against hope someone finds a little bit of gas left in the tank.  Particularly in response to Pettitte's retirement, Freddy Garcia, and Bartolo "The Big Chalupa" Colon were brought in.  Mark Prior, once the future savior of the Cubbies, may find a spot in the bullpen.  Andruw Jones was brought in so the Yankees could cut him for revenge for his performance in the '96 WS.

Posada's Lament

Does anyone want to pitch to me?

The Yankees made clear that Posada will be more-or-less the full-time DH in '11, with a significant reduction in his time behind the dish.  To that end, Russell Martin was brought in and the second coming also known as Jesus Montero will be looked at closely this Spring to see if he's ready for the big time.  Posada has been insufferably stubborn in his desire to be the starting catcher.  He's always been an offense first catcher so maybe he'll realize the joy of being an offense-first DH.

The 200 Million Dollar Underdogs

Outside Fenway Park

It is being acknowledged the Red Sox won the hot stove league, bringing in Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford to go with, what is assumed to be, a healthy campaign for the Pedroias and Youkilees.  The Red Sox, of course, don't want to be the big dogs as they love playing their little sisters of the poor role as gritty, second-highest payroll in baseball, working-class Boston bs.  Of course it will come down to pitching and health over the long, long, long, season.

Can't wait to get it on!