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

My A-Rod Stance, among other things

Alex Rodriguez will miss some time this season
I wanted to write a lot about this, but I feel I just would have wasted my time trying to convince everyone that I think this is the best thing that could happen for the Yankees. I can not really explain why I feel this way. Every single tangible statistic and number points to the contrary. They'll have less power, they'll hit for a lower average, lower on base percentage, and a lower slugging percentage. But the man has been a constant distraction for the past three years. He says the wrong things, he does the wrong things, and the Yankee players are the ones who have to answer for him. I believe without him, they will perform even better. Let us not forget who the Yankees still have in their lineup:

Johnny Damon: Two words: Contract. Year. He stated earlier in the offseason that he wants to stay in New York. That's also not to mention that he did bat .303 with a .375 on base percentage in 2008. I would pencil him in for at least the same, if not better numbers.

Derek Jeter: Sure, he can't field. But what he lacks at shortstop, he'll make up for in hitting, and ladies. He had a bad year in 2008, and still batted .300.

Robinson Cano: Okay, we ALL know what he is capable of, right? Rod Carew comparisons. Perennial batting champion. It's about time the man lives up to his billing. There's not much to hang your hat on with him coming off last season, but he did bat .307 after the All Star Break and ended up with a .271 batting average for the year. My guess is that he finally brings it all together.

Jorge Posada: There should be a constant "?" next to his name for at least until June. If his shoulder holds up, they will have the fourth best hitting catcher in the league (McCann, Mauer, Martin). I say that because he will only catch about 90-100 games this year. With that kind of rest, a healthy Posada could tear the cover off the ball for a better part of the season. But the question remains, IF that shoulder holds up.

Mark Teixiera: There are a few numbers we can already give Teixiera for the 2009 season: .290+ average, .370+ OBP, .570+ SLG, 30+ HRs, 110+ RBIs. Those numbers should be set in stone. What matter is WHEN he will start compiling those numbers on a regular basis. He is known as an awful first half player. My hope is that he will step it up while Arod is out for the first couple months and carry the load until he returns. They are paying him $20+ million a year for the next eight years, it's the least he could do.

Hideki Matsui: Is anyone expecting anything from him? I'm not. So basically, if he hits one single this season, he will have surpassed my expectations. I can't be upset with his performance since he has joined the Yankees though. For four of the six years he has had 100+ RBIs, which he actually rather good for a player coming over from Japan.

Xavier Nady: Did you know that Nady went straight to the majors after being drafted? Not even a token trip to the minors. Something to hang your hat on for the 2009 season.

Melky Cabrera or Brett Gardner: Six of one, half dozen of the other. Flip a coin. At least that is what I think. However, if you were to look at Gardner's Wikipedia page, you would think he is the greatest prospect in the history of the Yankee farm system:

"Gardner's legs are his strength. He's the fastest baserunner in the organization, has 80 speed on a 20-80 scale, and has solid baserunning instincts. He's adept at picking spots, knowing when it's more valuable to the team for him to use the threat of a stolen base to get the pitcher to throw fastballs to the heart of the order. He has outstanding plate discipline, draws a good number of walks, and uses the whole field while making consistent, hard contact. Baseball America rated him as having the best strike zone discipline in the Yankees minor league system after the close of the 2006 season."

Sounds like a real find! He should start based solely on that assessment. Meanwhile, Cabrera's Wikipedia page states the following:

"On July 7, 2007, Cabrera tied a Yankees record by striking out 5 times in a single 13-inning game, a feat known as the platinum sombrero."

Now remember, Cabrera is still two years younger with MORE experience. I say, it doesn't matter. These are inconsequential pieces to the proverbial puzzle. Cabrera may hit for a better average while Gardner may steal more bases. There is enough talent around them to cancel out their inability. Regardless of how they perform this year, they will just be a stop-gap until Austin Jackson realizes his talent and is patrolling centerfield at Yankee Stadium.

Who knew Randy Johnson had a sense of humor?