Yankees' Joba Chamberlain and Russell Martin combine to make crucial, run-saving play at the plate

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/2011/04/15/2011-04-15_jobas_save_is_a_beauty.html

Big brawny man.

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!

Who Will Win the Damaso Marte Memorial Award?

Formally knows as the Brian Doyle Cup

The Yankees secured the 2010 AL Wild Card with a Machiavellian scheme of losing just the right amount of games to ensure they will not have home-field advantage throughout the postseason with the added bonus of starting play in the sub-arctic open air of new Target Field.  Given their sub-optimal play of late, it's hard to gauge their chances at bringing home the 28th title.  Will it be a replay of '07's death by midges or will they take the path of the numerous WC teams that carved a path to the Fall Classic after stumbling down the stretch (see '06 Cardinals and Tigers).

The answer to that lies in what I call the Damaso Marte factor.  After an inglorious season as the lefty specialist in which he posted a 9.45 ERA, Marte emerged as a combination of Lefty Grove, Whitey Ford, and Graeme Lloyd in the '09 postseason giving up zero runs while neutralizing the Phillies big lefties like Ryan Howard.  I believe it will take someone playing over their skis in this second season to lay claim to another flag.  Here is my list of the most likely candidates:

Joba Chamberlain
Remember when Joba was the toast of the town?  Seems like only yesterday.  Somewhere between innings limits, pitch counts, midges, and Joba/Torre rules the man lost his mojo.  There's been little glimpses here and there but nothing like the electricity he created like a second coming of Goose Gossage.  Supposedly Kerry Wood has been mentoring him hopefully not on how to cope with being a washed up former phenom.  Maybe his very average season (4.40 ERA) belies a big postseason.  Hopefully frigid Minnesota will keep the midges away.

Curtis Granderson
Granderson has had the type of year (.247/24/67) which seems indicative of a guy playing below the back of his baseball card as he transitions to the big town.  Will he be a younger, more athletic version of Johnny Damon or the second coming of Danny Tartabull.  We'll see in 2011.  For now, he has some big shoes to fill this postseason as Damon pulled his own Marte last year and produced some clutch hits and, of course, his wily steal of third in game 6.  Perhaps the crisp autumn air will give us a preview of Granderson's sophomore Yankee campaign as he gets a clean slate in the second season.

Mark Teixeira
This may be a little picky as Tex has put together another relatively solid season.  You really can't complain about another 30/100 campaign backed up with solid defense at the initial sack.  However, postseason-wise he's got a little bit of the A-Rod disease.  He did hit a game-winning HR last year against the Twinkies but that was about it.  A player of his capability could put a streak together that carries the entire team.  Maybe 2010 will be the year.

A.J. Burnett
If anyone was set up to take home the DMMA it is Allan James Burnett.  After having one of the worst seasons for a pitcher in the history of the organization he can't go anywhere but up.  Unfortunately (or fortunately) he may not see the mound this fall.  Sometimes, though, the baseball gods give you the opportunity to redeem yourself and you never know when an injury or an extra-inning game may give you a chance to make everyone forget your past sins.

Derek Jeter
GASP!  BLASPHEMY!  I know, how can I go there.  Well I did.  But as you know Jeter seems to have lost his "Edge" in 2010 hitting 50 points below his lifetime average and generally looking like he's lost a few steps (who hasn't by 36, I know I have).  This is his time of the year, though, and might be the viagra Mr. November needs to add to his scrapbook of clutchness.

Honorable Mention:  Chad Gaudin, Lance Berkman, Austin Kearns, and A-Rod (just because)