Sean B. Fitzgerald It doesn’t go something like this, it goes exactly like this.

Spring (ahhhh!) Training Assessment: My Yankees

It's been a real long while since I've discussed the Yankees at all. To be honest, I'm still reveling in their championship. Still feels good. So as much as I want the 2010 season to begin, I know on April 4th at 8:00, the Yankees will automatically become "defending" World Series Champions. And that's a lot of pressure. Especially for me. Because I take on all of the emotional support for the team while contributing nothing to the outcome of games. It's an uneasy position to be in.

I've stated this before, but when I write about the Yankees, my thoughts become jumbled and I can barely form proper sentences. That's why I reserve the right to write in bullet points so this post doesn't appear like it came from the diary of a psychopath. I'll do my best to leave blatant homerism out of this, but I can't promise anything.

• Today, Joba Chamberlain allowed five runs, three hits, and three walks in 1.1 innings. Mmmmm, don't you just love it? I certainly do. It's so great that he's struggling. You know why? Because he shouldn't be a starter! Not now! Not ever! Can the Yankees please stop with this charade? Phil Hughes is the fifth starter. Joba is the set-up guy. Done! Finished! Let's go get a drink! I hope Joba never gets out of the first inning at all this month. He should be in the bullpen where he belongs. A place where he can properly gather all his rage and take it out in the form of chin-high fastballs and knee-buckling sliders. Chamberlain doesn't have the mental make-up to start games. Hughes, on the other hand, does. Very much so actually. He's calm, cool, smart, and patient. Those attributes don't necessarily apply to Joba. It's a no-brainer Yankees. Do the right thing.
• During the off-season, I was undecided on whether or not I wanted Johnny Damon to sign a new contract with the Yankees. I like to root to for the Yankees under the illusion that they play within the confines of some sort of budget. So when Damon and Boras were asking for 4 years, I scoffed. "Heck no!", I said. Then the Yankees signed Nick Johnson to DH and probably bat second. Damon and Boras realized there were no takers, and Johnny inevitable struck a 1-year deal with the Tigers. Up until today, I was indifferent. I like Nick Johnson. I think he's a great hitter. Works pitchers to death and gets on base, bottomline. That's when he's healthy. So here we are 3 days into Spring Training and Nick Johnson is sitting with a bad back. Johnny? Where are you? Come back! Please, come back! Ugh, did Johnson have a bad back all off-season? Nope. Apparently he wore spikes on the artificial turf patch that covers the dirt in the batter's box and subsequently hurt it. Johnny Damon may be a little simple, but he's not that stupid, or injury prone. I bet Damon has a huge year for Detroit and rubs it in our face. Can't wait.

I'll update with these types of posts as Spring Training continues. The regular season can't come soon enough.

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