On the Yankees beat

Here is today's scoring summary from the Yankees-South Florida game. Click here to view.

Here is the boxscore.

The Yankees now have an 8-0 lead. Joba Chamberlain and Ian Kennedy each pitched two scoreless innings with two strikeouts. Kennedy allowed one hit, Chamberlain none.
Alex Rodriguez has three RBIs and Jorge Posada two RBIs. Posada has a double and a triple (yes, triple) off the top of the rightfield wall. Bobby Abreu has been on base three times.

All the Steinbrenners are represented here today. George Steinbrenner, Hal Steinbrenner, Hank Steinbrenner, Jessica Steinbrenner Lopez and husband Felix Lopez, and Jennifer Steinbrenner Swindal are all watching the game from a box outside.
The Yankees now lead 2-0. Jorge Posada led off the bottom of the second with a double, and advanced to third on Robinson Cano's out. After a Shelley Duncan walk, Melky Cabrera hit a sacrifice fly to rightfield to score Posada.

The Yankees lead the USF Bulls 1-0 after an inning.
After Johnny Damon flied out to rightfield, Derek Jeter was hit by a pitch to reach first. Bobby Abreu singled to rightfield, sending Jeter to third. Alex Rodriguez hit a sacrifice fly RBI to rightfield. Jason Giambi flied out to center to end the inning.

Joba Chamberlain had a 1-2-3 top of the first.

Mike Consolmagno of USF flied out to rightfield.
Ryan Lockwood ground out to second base.
Addison Maruszak flied out to leftfield.

In pre-game ceremonies, Tino Martinez was honored. He is a volunteer asst. coach for the USF Bulls. There was an F-15 flyover.
The Steinbrenners are represented by at least Hank Steinbrenner and sister Jennifer Steinbrenner Swindal. I have not seen George Steinbrenner, Jessica Steinbrenner Lopez or Hal Steinbrenner; but all could be here.

I put up the Yankees' lineup for today's game yesterday, but here it is again, with the UFS Bulls lineup also.

Bulls
Mike Consolmagno RF
Ryan Lockwood CF
Addison Maruszak SS
Brian Hobbs DH
Trey Manz C
Chris Rey LF
Charles Cleveland 3B
Joey Angelberger 1B
Jonathan Koscso 2B

Shawn Sanford P

Yankees
Johnny Damon LF
Derek Jeter SS
Bobby Abreu RF
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Jason Giambi 1B
Jorge Posada C
Robinson Cano 2B
Shelley Duncan DH
Melky Cabrera CF

Joba Chamberlain P

Also, if any of you are in the Tampa area visiting or live here, here is a partial list of tomorrow's travel squad to take on the Phillies in Clearwater:

Chien-Ming Wang starting
Alex Rodriguez
Derek Jeter
Jose Molina
Francisco Cervelli
Jesus Montero
Wilson Betemit
Shelley Duncan
Morgan Ensberg
Brett Gardner
Jose Tabata
Bobby Abreu

The University of South Florida Bulls look pretty psyched to be facing the Yankees. They've been standing watching morning drills that the Yankees are doing.

Very interesting story in the New York Times's Play Magazine, which comes out Sunday but is already online. It's called "Oedipus Bronx", about the Steinbrenner family, but particularly Hank and Hal Steinbrenner. It's a great read, but you need a little time to get through it as it's nine pages online.
Here's the link: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/02/sports/playmagazine/02play-bronx.html
I believe it's the second major interview Hal has done (the other was with GQ) since he did a profile with Newsday for a story mentioned in this article when he was a senior at Williams College.

Bad news on Bobby Murcer. He's going back in for a biopsy after a spot was revealed on his brain. Hopefully things will turn out OK. Keep him in your thoughts and/or prayers.

Here's an early lineup for tomorrow's game, courtesy of manager Joe Girardi:

Johnny Damon LF
Derek Jeter SS
Bobby Abreu RF
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Jason Giambi 1B
Jorge Posada C
Robinson Cano 2B
Shelley Duncan DH
Melky Cabrera CF

And who knows, it could be a (Very) early lineup for Opening Day. When that was suggested to Girardi, he said: "You know, that's a possibility. It's possible, we'll leave it at that."

Hideki Matsui could certainly slide in there if he is healthy as well.

Today's going to be a brief workout as the Yankees start games tomorrow. Here's Andy Pettitte talking about recent developments with Clemens:

Andy Pettitte said this morning that his focus is on helping the Yankees win, even in light of news that Roger Clemens’s case is being referred to the Department of Justice for investigation of possible perjury – in part due to Andy Pettitte’s deposition.
“I’ve got one concern,” Pettitte said, “and that’s trying to help the New York Yankees win, and get myself ready for that.”
Pettitte opened by saying, “I’ve got nothing to say about it,” in reference to the Clemens investigation.
Yet he did talk on the matter, at least in reference to how it affects him.
“I don’t like any of this,” Pettitte said. “I don’t like anything that’s going on. in fact, I hate it.”
The Yankees and their fans have thrown their support behind Pettitte, who appreciates the support but said: “I don’t feel like I’m some kind of hero in this whole thing, at all. I made mistakes and I’ve admitted them.”

Individual tickets for Yankees regular season home
games go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, online only, at
www.yankees.com and www.yankeesbeisbol.com. Tickets go
on sale Monday at Yankee Stadium ticket windows, area
Ticketmaster outlets, Yankees Clubhouse shops and via
Ticketmaster by phone.

Individual ticket prices range from $14-325. There is
a 12-ticket limit per person per game for non-premium
games, and a four-ticket limit per person for "premium
games," which are Opening Day, the Old-Timers' Day
game, games against the Red Sox and Mets, and the
final three scheduled regular season games at Yankee
Stadium.

The Yankees have some discount programs available,
details of which can be found at www.yankees.com.

Here are lineups for the intra-squad game:

Goose team
Melky Cabrera CF
Derek Jeter SS
Robinson Cano 2B
Jorge Posada C
Shelley Duncan 1B
Morgan Ensberg DH
Wilson Betemit 3B
Jason Lane LF
Jose Tabata RF

Jeff Karstens P

Gator team
Johnny Damon LF
Jose Molina C
Bobby Abreu RF
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Jason Giambi 1B
Cody Ransom DH
Nick Green 2B
Chris Woodward SS
Brett Gardner CF

Mike Mussina P

I'd like to say thanks to Yankees manager Joe Girardi and media relations director Jason Zillo for having dinner with the beat writers last night. It was not an on-the-record evening, but I'll just share that we had a nice time. I believe there were 11 of us there, and it was nice to be able to visit away from the ballpark.

The only downside of the evening was driving through flooded streets -- there was some torrential rain last night with thunder and lightning. It's not raining now, just overcast, but it's in the low 50s and there is a freeze warning for tonight.

Nevertheless, the Yankees are braving the elements for a seven-inning intrasquad game today. Pitchers scheduled for one team are Mike Mussina (two innings), Darrell Rasner (one), Daniel McCutchen (one), Sean Henn (one), Jonathan Albaladejo (one), Mark Melancon (one). On the other team are Jeff Karstens (two innings), Scott Patterson (one), Steven Jackson (one), Billy Traber (one), Edwar Ramirez (one) and Ross Ohlendorf (one).

In response to a couple questions beneath my last post, the Yankees are playing at Virginia Tech on March 18th. Joe Girardi said he plans to take the whole team. Obviously, that doesn't necessarily mean taking 45 people. But all the regulars are expected to go. The team will fly there and back the same day.

Notables from the day:
Jason Giambi was hitting the ball very well to both sides of the field. Girardi has been impressed with him so far. Giambi also got a haircut -- now conforming to Yankee regulations.
Rookies are attending media training this afternoon.
Beat writers are having dinner with Joe Girardi this evening. Kind of a one-time, get to know the manager, thing.
Everyone's healthy, though Scott Strickland has had a stiff neck. Girardi said he's not sitting out workouts due to the neck.

Here's the news from today's paper:

A story and a column on Hank Steinbrenner's thoughts on Brian Cashman: http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/yankees/ny-spyanks265592098feb26,0,84059.story
http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/yankees/ny-spken265592101feb26,0,6816964.column

And here are some notes, topped by one on Kei Igawa: http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/yankees/ny-spken265592101feb26,0,6816964.column

Those of you interested in the health of George Steinbrenner may want to hear how he's doing. He's been more visible this spring than he was last spring, and appears to be doing quite well. His memory seems sharp. He has chatted with writers and players, etc. Not sure how much he'll be around New York this season, but he is at Legends Field regularly.

Hank Steinbrenner sounded very much like someone enamored with his general manager as he talked about Brian Cashman's future Monday afternoon.

The Yankees senior vice president said he will talk with Cashman about his contract, which expires after the season.

"We'll talk about it during the season," Steinbrenner said. " ... It will just happen when it happens naturally. I think you guys are trying to create controversy here where it doesn't exist."

Steinbrenner publicly differed with Cashman over whether or not to trade for Johan Santana, now with the Mets. Steinbrenner wanted to make the trade. Cashman did not.

But Steinbrenner said Monday: "I think the big thing with Brian is the organization he put in place. It's not based on just one decision as far as, do a trade or don't do a trade, or sign a free agent or don't sign. He put Damon Oppenheimer in as the chief of scouting, which has obviously paid off huge. The way he works with Mark Newman, the way he works with (Joe) Girardi, the organization he's put in place. All those things are factors."

So although the Yankees haven't yet talked about an extension, Steinbrenner said it "will just happen," noting, "I've known Cash for a long time. Even back in the 80s when he first started out. He's been with our family for a long, long time."

Steinbrenner promised to be patient with the young pitchers. He also professed excitement about the future of the organization and the things Girardi is doing.

Cashman did not immediately return a phone message.

Mariano Rivera kind of follows his own schedule. Hey, it's worked for him pretty well. He does all the workouts and such, but when it comes to how much he throws in the spring, etc., the Yankees let him have some say. Joe Torre used to half joke that Mariano turned in his grey (road) pants the day he got them each spring.
So Joe Girardi made a comment today, saying, "We all have grey pants." Asked if that meant Mariano would be making road trips this year, he didn't say, but did smile and say he had heard about that very early on in his managerial tenure, perhaps even on a November trip to the Dominican Republic where he coincided with Rivera. I conveyed that to Mariano, and he laughed. He also said he's made road trips. Maybe not last year, but he's sure that he went to Clearwater (the closest road destination) a couple years ago.

On more serious notes, Girardi described Morgan Ensberg as "hungry."
Asked which position player prospects he's been impressed with, Girardi said: "Brett Gardner, Austin Jackson, look at those two guys, the organization's very high on those two kids."
He also named Francisco Cervelli, and yet again Jesus Montero.

Andy Pettitte threw live BP and got a big reaction from the crowd. He said: "My body feels great, my arm feels great, my elbow, everything."

Kei Igawa said, through an interpreter, that his goal is "to be on the major league team the entire season."
If that means in the bullpen? He said: "As long as I can be a benefit to the team."

I think everyone is looking forward to some game action by now. Wednesday is a seven-inning intra-squad game, and Friday a nine-inning exhibition game against the University of South Florida. On Saturday the real Grapefruit League games begin.
Otherwise, pretty quiet clubhouse -- people talking Oscars and such. More live batting practice coming up.

Chien-Ming Wang threw live batting practice for the
second time this spring Sunday. On one too-far-inside
pitch, he nearly hit Derek Jeter, who jumped back but
laughed it off. Asked about it later, Jeter grinned
and said, "I told him everything outside." Wang seemed
much more worried than Jeter. Asked jokingly if he and
Jeter were having a problem, Wang quickly said, "No.
No problems."

I know this will shock you all, but Chien-Ming Wang, winner of 38 games in the past two seasons, is tentatively pegged as the Opening Day starter. Joe Girardi said he has Wang slated to start next Saturday, March 1st. If one counts back five days from there until March 31st (Opening Day), Wang would start then. Asked if that was a safe assumption, Girardi laughed and said: "Pretty safe."

Workouts have been rained out for the day. The Yankees are doing things in the cages, but nothing more is going on outdoors until tomorrow.

My bad: Mariano Rivera is not throwing batting practice today. I assumed he was, because he's in the group throwing today. But Rivera kind of has his own routine.
For anyone reading who might be in Tampa this weekend: workouts start late tomorrow. I guess Joe wants people to go to church. Players don't have to be dressed until 11:45.

Here's a story from today about the toughest part of Andy Pettitte's winter. Not dealing with HGH use, but a severe accident his son was involved in: http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/yankees/ny-spyank0223,0,4557886.story

Here's colleague Ken Davidoff's column that Joba needs to be in the rotation all year: http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/yankees/ny-spken0223,0,1516742.column

And here's a notebook with Jeter's rxn to A-Rod predicting him as MVP: http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/yankees/ny-spynotes0223,0,2560847.story

Throwing batting practice today are Andy Pettitte, Phil Hughes and Mariano Rivera, among others.

Joba Chamberlain got the biggest applause when he came onto the field today. He threw live batting practice to Hideki Matsui, Jason Lane, Jose Molina and Eric Duncan. He's trying to make all four of his pitches (fastball, changeup, curveball, slider) ones he's comfortable with using, whether as a starter or in relief, because as he said with a nod toward teammate Mariano Rivera's locker: "We can't all be gifted to throw a great cutter every time."

George Steinbrenner was in Max's Cafe at Legends Field, along with son Hank. I was in the clubhouse at that point, but colleague Ken Davidoff was there, and said Andy Pettitte popped in to say hello. George Steinbrenner told him he had done well (dealing with the HGH aftermath). Hank Steinbrenner, when asked which of them makes decisions for the club, said they usually agree.

The first live batting practice of the spring is coming up in an hour or so.

The following pitchers are scheduled to throw:

Mike Mussina, Chien-Ming Wang, Joba Chamberlain, Ian Kennedy, Sean Henn, Jeff Karstens, Steven Jackson, Scott Patterson, LaTroy Hawkins, Billy Traber, Edwar Ramirez, Jonathan Albaladejo, Darrell Rasner, Ross Ohlendorf, Daniel McCutchen, and Mark Melancon.

Here's Derek Jeter's reaction to Alex Rodriguez's prediction that Jeter would have an MVP season. Stop me if you've heard this before:

"I don't even think about it. I have to be honest with you guys. Man, I'd much rather win. That's the bottom line. I've said time and time again, you play to win. You always want to do well because the better you do, the better the team will be. But the bottom line from day one is whatever we can do to win."

Jeter did acknowledge changing his offseason workout program. He worked on speed and agility to help him with his first step. He also didn't try to gain weight like he usually does in the offseason. He usually tries to gain some weight to balance out the weight he loses during the season.

Alex Rodriguez said he expects Derek Jeter to have an MVP-type season this year. Interesting prediction from the reigning MVP. We didn't get a chance to ask Jeter about this, but I'm sure it will be a prime topic tomorrow.

Couple of funny things from this morning:

I saw LaTroy Hawkins wearing a "Joba Rules" T-shirt, and asked him about it, whether Joba Chamberlain had given it to him. He said he bought it at the team store. Hawkins went in there to buy some stuff for his nieces and nephews, he said, and wanted a cotton T-shirt (he's not big on the Under Armour stuff they give out). He said there was nothing better than the Joba shirt.

And there are now decorations in the Mike Mussina/Phil Hughes corner of the clubhouse. Mussina is against one corner, and it's just a gray cement wall. Apparently Mussina asked Lou Cucuzza if he could get a better view. so Lou got a picture of a boat on a lake, and put a curtain valance there to make it look like a window. It's very realistic.

Johnny Damon addressed an SI.com story from yesterday that he nearly retired last year. He said he did consider it, but was never on the verge, and is fully recommitted this season.

Alex Rodriguez somehow stirred up controversy with a throwaway line that he got tested for steroids nine or 10 times last year. Players are highly unlikely to be tested that many times, unless they have previously tested positive for an illegal substance, which was brought to the Yankees and Rodriguez's attention. He put out a statement later through Yankees PR director Jason Zillo:
“My quote from earlier today was taken literally. I was not tested nine or 10 times last year. I was just using exaggeration to make a point.

“My intent was simply to shed light on the fact that the current program being implemented is working, and a reason for that is through frequent testing.

“I apologize for any confusion I may have caused.”

Now back to Damon. Here are a few comments from him:
"Last year wasn't the only year I thought about it."
Now, though, he said: "I feel great. I had a great offseason."
The reason he stayed, he said, was: "I think the fact that the Yankees needed me, that I have a job to do."
As for the final two years of his contract: "I plan to see it out. ... Absolutely, and hopefully I'm good enough at the end of this contract where they would want me to come back for a year or two."

First full-squad workout is over. Here are some of the notable happenings and comments from the day.

*Andy Pettitte threw a 45-pitch bullpen session. He said, "It was good, it felt normal. It was really a normal bullpen."
His arm is pretty much normal now, while he said he's a little behind as far as legs being in condition, but just a smidge. He was flattered by Alex Rodriguez's comment about wanting his daughter to marry someone (like) Andy, and talked about how much he loves Alex as a teammate/person.

*Brian Cashman confirmed to me that Kyle Farnsworth's staph infection was serious enough that he could have lost his leg.

*Joe Girardi said sometimes the expectations on Alex Rodriguez are so high that they are impossible to meet.

*Austin Jackson had lower back spasms, and said he expects to be back on the field by Friday.

*Derek Jeter discussed having a manager other than Joe Torre for the first time since his late 1995 callup. said Jeter: "It is kind of awkward without seeing Mr. T. ... I always said through the years, I couldn't imagine playing here without him. Now I can."
Jeter said he had talked to Torre throughout the offseason.
He said he thought Alex was gone after the opt out, but is glad to have Alex back. "Without him in the lineup, we would have had to replace him with four or five different guys."
He said he had been "shocked" to see Andy Pettitte in the Mitchell Report. Someone then asked about Roger Clemens, and he said he was "shocked" too. Jeter doesn't say shocked too often. Usually he says nothing shocks him.

*Melky Cabrera said he plans to work out with Alex Rodriguez (nearly) every day again, as he did last year. They're doing so even here in spring training after workouts.

During the morning clubhouse availability, we spoke with Alex Rodriguez. I also got to talk to Robinson Cano about his new contract, and Morgan Ensberg.

Here are excerpts from Rodriguez. The entire interview can be found here: http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/yankees/ny-sparod0221,0,5742120.story

"Wearing this uniform for the rest of my career was very important," Rodriguez said, after saying he will not address the opt-out again. "I have some unfinished business in New York. Obviously winning a world championship is the center of that, and the only thing that I really care about. So the fact that I'm back, and I'm going to be here for the rest of my career is very special to me."
Rodriguez was asked about comments by John Rocker that while Rocker and Rodriguez were with the Texas Rangers, doctors from the players' union or management pulled the two of them, Rafael Palmeiro and Ivan Rodriguez aside and talked to them about how to use steroids without getting caught. Said Rodriguez: "That did not happen."

He was also asked about veiled comments by Jose Canseco suggesting that Rodriguez might be mentioned in conjunction with the use of performance-enhancing drugs in his upcoming book.

"I think right now the game is in a very non-trusting situation with the public, with our fans," Rodriguez said. "I think with some of the things that I've accomplished, some of the things that people think I can accomplish, my name has come up and it will probably come up again in the future. That's just part of the nature of the business."

Asked if he could categorically deny ever having used steroids or human growth hormone, Rodriguez said: "Sure, yes."
Rodriguez said he thinks this team can win a World Series. He talked about the second-half surge last season, and said: "We're a team that's ready to win now and in the future."

Cano said he was kind of surprised the Yankees were willing to do a long-term contract, since they usually don't, but he was very happy. He said it didn't change his motivation at all.
Larry Bowa used to be one to push Cano really hard, and he's gone now. Cano said: "I've got to do it myself now." Cano said he talked to Bowa about two weeks ago, and Bowa wanted to know how much he's weighing. He also told Cano to "keep fighing, playing the ame right."
Cano said he's really happy that Alex is back, that he has helped Cano a lot.

*Both Steinbrenner sons were around today. Hank has been a more visible presence, as you all know, and it was interesting to see him and younger brother Hal walking from watching bullpen sessions to another field and back. As they walked back, Hal continued on towards the bullpen sessions and Hank stopped to sign autographs.
*I asked Jorge Posada, and he said it was either Mariano Rivera's or Derek Jeter's idea to go to Andy Pettitte's press conference. Didn't get a chance to talk to Derek, as he didn't have to work out today, but both Jorge and Mariano said they thought Andy did great. Andy was very, very appreciative of their presence, saying: "It made me want to cry. I just appreciate the guys. We've been through an awful lot together, and when I saw them sitting up there, it was just unbelievable."
*Pettitte said Joe Girardi has been great support thru all this, and also said that Joe Torre called him to voice support yesterday afternoon.
*As far as position players who talked today, they had to be here for physicals but not workouts. Jeter has talked to reporters before, at least for a few minutes, since he's been around at the minor league complex for weeks. I didn't see Alex Rodriguez around for long. He may have just come for his physical. Same with Bobby Abreu. Robinson Cano spent some time in the batting cage, I know, and I wound up on the elevator with him and a couple other people so said hello.
*Jason Giambi, who has dealt with the aftermath of a steroids admission, said he's here if Pettitte wants to talk. That's Andy's call, he wouldn't want to be pushy.
*Hank Steinbrenner repeated something he told a couple media outlets yesterday, that he doesn't like that baseball is being singled out on steroids.

Sorry there were no posts earlier, but I haven't been able to be at my computer all day. There's been a lot to do with position players reporting. Some of them talked today (Johnny Damon, Jason Giambi); some didn't (Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Robinson Cano).

The most interesting story of the day, to me, is that Hal Steinbrenner (that's Hal, not Hank) did a lengthy interview with GQ Magazine. He said it was his first major interview since he was in college. Here's the link: http://men.style.com/gq/blogs/gqeditors/2008/02/steinbrenner-tk.html

Other noteworthy things:

*Andy Pettitte worked out, said he felt fine. He'll throw a bullpen session tomorrow.
*Johnny Damon said he's in better shape this year than last year and expects to be one of the better players in the league. Joe Girardi said he considers Damon a regular and expects him to get 600 at-bats.
*Jason Giambi is in much better shape, now that his foot has healed from the torn plantar fascia. Girardi said he "looks great."
*Juan Miranda was excited to learn of the news that Fidel Castro has resigned. Miranda, who defected from Cuba, hopes this could eventually mean he would be allowed to go home again.

Andy Pettitte held an hour-long press conference. I'll tell you a few things that stood out to me from the press conference, then include a few excerpts:

*He came across as sincere, humble and apologetic. He attempted to answer as many questions as thoroughly as possible as he could.
*He called his using HGH "stupidity" and "desperation."
*He wouldn't say anything negative about either Roger Clemens or Brian McNamee, calling both friends, but did say many times that he had "testified under oath."
*He said this is it.
*He said he will be ready for the season.
*He said he would retire if the Yankees didn't want him.
*Also, the fact that Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera showed up as support said volumes, to me, about them.

"I want to apologize to the New York Yankees and the Houston Astros organizations, and to their fans, and to all my teammates, and to all baseball fans, for the embarrassment I have caused them. I also want to tell anyone who is an Andy Pettitte fan I am sorry, especially any kids that might look up to me."

"as far as the situation with my dad, I am sorry for not telling the whole truth in my original statement after the Mitchell Report was released. I am human just like anyone else and people make mistakes. I never wanted to bring my dad into a situation like this."

"I think at any time, if this organization didn’t want me, that all they had to do was tell me that they didn’t want me, and I would have shut it down. and that would stand righ tnow. if they felt that they didn’t want me on this team, I don’t need the money and I don’t need to go thru this."

The big story of the day here is the upcoming arrival of Andy Pettitte. He'll have a press conference at 3 p.m., and I'll update you when I can with his comments.

Here are a couple stories from Newsday today:

Hank Steinbrenner sounds off: http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/ny-spboss185582684feb18,0,7875873.story

The Boss is in camp: http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/yankees/ny-spynotes185582663feb18,0,7460909.story

And here's Wally Matthews' column on Pettitte: http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/yankees/ny-spwally185582682feb18,0,2771038.column

George Steinbrenner was at Legends Field today and visited with new manager Joe Girardi for the first time since Girardi was hired.

According to Girardi, Steinbrenner "just encouraged us to do what we always do here. It was great to see him, he was doing well."

Andy Pettitte will arrive tomorrow, give a press conference, and either tomorrow or Tuesday undergo a physical before he can workout.

In response to a question from Diane, here is the latest on Joba Chamberlain, from the mouth of Hank Steinbrenner by phone this afternoon:
[Is Chamberlain definitely going to be in the rotation the whole season?]"To begin with doesn't matter. There are all kinds of stories about pitchers who have been 22, 23 years old and been thrown out there into the rotation and gotten hurt or blown their arms out and been out of the game a couple years later. We have to build the innings up.
We're going to start Chamberlain as a starter in the spring. But if he has to start in the bullpen in the regular season, that's up to Joe (Girardi) and Dave (Eiland). Whatever they want to do. But everyone is in agreement, and I mean everyone, including Joe. Everyone is in agreement that he's going to be a starter this season."

I neglected to post this yesterday after I saw it. According to a scientific research project presented Saturday at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Yankees would be better off with Alex Rodriguez at shortstop instead of Derek Jeter.

Here's the link: http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/story/10647918
They looked at every ball put in play in MLB between 2002 and 2005 (granted, several years ago), and recorded where they went. Researchers then created a probability model for the average fielder at each position and compared it to the performance of individual players . The lead researcher, Shane Jensen of the University of Pennsylvania, said that comparing the two: "suggests the Yankees have one of the best defensive shortstops playing out of position in deference to one of the worst defensive shortstops."
Rodriguez was rated one of the three best shortstops and Jeter one of the worst.

Here are some odds and ends from Tampa:

*The Yankees had a 30-minute meeting with Kei Igawa after workouts today, just to make sure they are on the same page. It was designed to be a positive thing, in hopes they can salvage the contract.
*Joba Chamberlain, still technically a rookie, has zero rookie reticence. He will talk smack to any teammate, from Alex Rodriguez to Jorge Posada. Yesterday, he took on Mike Mussina. He challenged Mussina in video games, then ping pong, each of which Mussina said he
doesn't play. As Mussina walked out of the clubhouse, Chamberlain said something with no response from Mussina, then called out: "The hearing's the first thing to go when you get old, right?" Mussina popped back around the corner to say: "I hear everything you say. I hear everything you think."
*One other Mussina notable: he asked the clubhouse managers to move Phil Hughes down near him, so he can help give advice to both him and Kennedy. The move was made overnight.
*Joe Girardi's wife and three kids are in town for the long weekend. He played on the field with them after workouts yesterday and today. On the dry-erase board in his office were greetings in red, surrounded by hearts: "I love you, Dad!", "Dad's the best," and signed, "Mom, Sissy, Dante, Lena."
*Girardi is very confident that Kyle Farnsworth can be a key contributor.
*Andy Pettitte is still expected in camp Monday.
*Jorge Posada said that if it were up to him, he would never even consider moving Joba Chamberlain from the bullpen.