Breakfast Links: A Quick Wind Sprint Around Spring Training

• C.C. Sabathia is already enjoying the benefits of his new slimmed down physique. The big lefty has reported improved stamina, but it will still be a challenge to avoid the temptations of the road.
  

  Sabathia and Yogi Berra share a “lighter moment” (Photo: AP).

• Russell Martin has been quickly getting up to speed learning his new pitching staff. Martin and the rest of the catchers in camp have been working hard to prepare for the start of exhibition games on Saturday.
• Brandon Laird continues to make a strong case to go north with the team as both a reserve infielder and outfielder. Meanwhile, Andruw Jones is still adjusting to his transitioning career.
• The loss of Adam Wainwright could be the Yankees gain if it forces the Cardinals to put Chris Carpenter on the trading block.
• Remember “the flip”? Yesterday, the Yankees practiced the play just in case it should happen again.
• Miguel Cabrera reported to Tigers’ camp for the first time since his DUI arrest. Although the slugging first baseman vowed to undergo a treatment program, what he didn’t say might be even more telling.

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Breakfast Links: A Quick Wind Sprint Around Spring Training

• In the New York Times, Harvey Araton has an outstanding profile of Yogi Berra’s and Ron Guidry’s annual rites of spring, frogs legs and all.
  

  Over the years, Guidry and Berra have developed a unique relationship during their time together at spring training (Photo: NY Times).

• Yogi’s teammate Phil Rizzuto would undoubtedly be glad to hear that Brett Gardner has been working on his bunting skills. Newsday dug up an old conversation with the Scooter on the lost art of laying one down.
• With the starting lineup all but set, Joe Girardi and Brian Cashman will likely focus much of their attention on building the team’s bench. Eric Chavez is perhaps the highest profile candidate for a backup role, but Brandon Laird is gradually building a case for himself.
• The Yankees will also have plenty of chances to evaluate their backup catcher options because Russell Martin, who is recovering from offseason knee surgery, is not expected to play in the first week of spring training games.
• Pedro Feliciano will play an important role in the Yankees’ bullpen, but he isn’t likely to see the same workload as in the past. Meanwhile, no one knows what to expect from Mark Prior, not even Prior.
• Brian Cashman has stated all winter that he believes the Red Sox are the favorites to win the A.L. East, but does Hank Steinbrenner agree?
• The most significant news of the day came from Jupiter, where the Cardinals announced that ace righty Adam Wainwright’s elbow will likely require reconstructive surgery. The move is a huge blow to the Cardinals, but is it a death sentence in the N.L. Central?

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Breakfast Links: A Quick Wind Sprint Around Spring Training

• Just like his father used to do, Hank Steinbrenner held court at the Yankees’ spring training complex in Tampa, opining on everything from house building to modern psychology to social and economic political systems. The elder Steinbrother also revisited the team’s off season acquisition of Rafael Soriano.

Hank has proven to be the much more vocal of the Steinbrenner brothers (Illustration: nymag.com).

• Alex Rodriguez addressed the media for the first time this spring by “popping off” about his on-screen appearance at the Super Bowl. Arod also talked about his improved health and high expectations for 2011, including the opportunity to take on more of a leadership role.
• Although Hank and Arod garnered most of the attention, 6’ 10” Andrew Brackman still managed to stand out in his first workout against live hitters. Joe Girardi was particularly impressed by Brackman’s command, something he hasn’t possessed in previous spring camps.
• While the NFL and NBA both seem destined for a lockout, the MLBPA, led by new union head Michael Weiner, has already begun preparations for what they hope will be a very smooth renegotiation of the current CBA that expires in December.
• In Viera, Bryce Harper, the Nationals’ latest wunderkind, took the field for the first time.

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Breakfast Links: A Quick Wind Sprint Around Spring Training

• Position players got into the swing of things over the weekend, including Derek Jeter, who is working on a minor adjustment to his batting stance. Jeter’s opening remarks of the spring were somewhat defiant, as the 37-year old shortstop seeks to break the unfavorable trend among men his age who play the position. Although never one to become absorbed by personal goals, Jeter also talked about his pursuit of 3,000 hits.
  

  Jeter has been working with Kevin Long on a slight adjustment to his swing (Photo: Getty Images).

• Absent the usual Spring Training controversy, Alex Rodriguez reported to camp with a new slimmed down appearance.
• Robinson Cano didn’t make it to Tampa on time because of a scheduling mix-up, but the All Star second baseman is eager to build on last year’s MVP-type season.
• Mark Teixeira arrived at camp on time, and talked about the offseason adjustments he made to ensure his bat does the same in April. Teixeira also brushed aside trade rumors and stated that he relished the role of being an underdog.
• When Andy Pettitte retired, the Yankees rotation not only lost a valuable left arm, but also a mentor.

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Breakfast Links: A Quick Wind Sprint Around Spring Training

• Freddy Garcia is considered one of the favorites to make the Yankees’ starting rotation, but he’ll have to do it with guile. Despite no longer possessing a major league fastball, Garcia still believes he can get people out.
  

  Garcia is hoping to make the Yankees’ rotation, but can he get by with a below average fastball (Photo: Daily News).

• Bartolo Colon is another veteran candidate for the rotation, and former manager Mike Hargrove gave him a good recommendation. However, in addition to battling hitters, he’ll also need to battle his weight.
• Although Joe Girardi has said he will not be considered for one of the two rotation slots, blue chip prospect Manny Banuelos is still hoping to open eyes at camp. Meanwhile, fellow prospect Dellin Bentances is hoping to do the same, completing his journey from the bleachers to the mound at Yankee Stadium.
• This time last year, Phil Hughes was the one competing for a job. Now, he is an established member of the rotation looking to build upon his success from last season.
• Jesus Montero has been on the defensive about his ability, or lack thereof, to be a competent major league catcher. Montero will be working hard this spring to improve his defensive skills and demonstrate that he has what it takes to remain behind the plate.
• Jim Edmonds officially announced his retirement at Cardinals camp in Jupiter, meaning he will first be on the Hall of Fame ballot in 2016 with Andy Pettitte. Both candidates should inspire a very heated debate.
• In Fort Myers, Francisco Liriano was forced to skip his first workout because of a sore left shoulder, something to keep in mind for those advocating that the Yankees make a move to acquire him.

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Breakfast Links: A Quick Wind Sprint Around Spring Training

• Mariano Rivera finally arrived in camp after missing two days to tend to his sick children. Although the immortal Yankees’ closer spoke about how difficult it was to leave his family, he also stated that he still has the desire to compete. There will come a day when the Yankees will have to face the ninth inning without Rivera, but that time isn’t now (thankfully).
  

  Rivera reported to Tampa looking as cool and calm as ever (Photo: Daily News).

• The Yankees have no questions about the backend of the bullpen, but the final two slots in the rotation remain up for grabs. As many as eight pitchers will compete to fill out the team’s starting staff, but a narrower field of four seems to be on the inside track.
• Russell Martin is expected to do most of the catching for whomever makes the rotation, and the early indications suggest he is recovering nicely from offseason surgery.
• In Phoenix, Don Mattingly opened his first spring training camp as a manager. The former Yankees’ captain talked about the need to focus on preparation and dispelled any concerns about the ongoing divorce ligation between the team’s former owners. Another topic of discussion was a new biography about Mattingly that is due out in March.
• The Tigers’ spring training took a dramatic turn for the worse when star first baseman Miguel Cabrera was arrested for DUI and resisting an officer.
• The rest of the American League also got some bad news. In his first interview at Rays’ camp in Port Charlotte, Manny Ramirez proclaimed that he’s “got a chip on [his] shoulder”.

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Breakfast Links: A Quick Wind Sprint Around Spring Training

• There have been a lot of weighty issues at Yankees’ camp in just the first few days. The latest revolves around Joba Chamberlain’s expanded waist line, which has many wondering if it could lead to him having a diminished role. Meanwhile, Chamberlain believes he is in good shape and, more importantly, seems to be benefiting from a mechanical adjustment made by new pitching coach Larry Rothschild.
  

  Chamberlain’s condition has been a weighty issue in Yankees camp (Photo: Reuters).

• One place Chamberlain won’t be is the starting rotation, and apparently neither will highly touted prospects Dellin Betances and Manny Banuelos. While the Yankees hold auditions for the final two slots in the rotation, the team’s three established starters will be throwing early morning bullpen sessions under the watchful eye of Rothschild.
• Andruw Jones reported to camp with some swelling in his knee, but the Yankees don’t expect that to slow his training. According to Girardi, Jones’ chief role on the team will be as a backup corner outfielder. According to Jones, Girardi makes him “feel old”.
• River Avenue Blues provides a look at Albert Pujols in pinstripes, a story that gained traction when the future Hall of Famer and the Cardinals decided to table contract extension talks until after the regular season.
• Other teams were not as shy handing out new contracts. The Blue Jays were reportedly close to rewarding Jose Bautista’s 50 homerun season with a new five-year deal worth $65 million, while the Brewers and Rickie Weeks agreed to a new four-year extension worth $38.5 million.
• The Mets continue to be a  team that is looking to raise money, not spend it. However, chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon insisted that his family will not relinquish a majority stake in the ballclub.

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Breakfast Links: A Quick Wind Sprint Around Spring Training

• Jorge Posada reported to camp along with the rest of the catchers, although this season he is ticketed as the DH. Although Posada has not yet given up on getting back behind the plate, he seems to be slowly embracing his new role. Now, the question is how much longer does Posada have left in pinstripes?
  

  Jorge Posada reported to camp with the rest of the catchers, but was noticeably without his gear (Photo: Daily News).

• Mariano Rivera, who is even older than Posada, shows no signs of slowing down, but his arrival in camp was delayed by sickness in his family. With the organization’s permission, the great closer postponed his departure in order to tend to his ailing children, who have been suffering from the flu.
• For the second day in a row, A.J. Burnett held court. The enigmatic pitcher, who after a year of getting tattooed added a new one to his right forearm, insisted that he would “be a factor” in 2011. Burnett also discussed the prospect of C.C. Sabathia opting out his current seven-year deal, offering insights from his experience being in the same situation back in 2008.
• In other notes, prospect Hector Noesi’s arrival was delayed by Visa issues, and Brett Gardner, who has been in camp rehabbing his surgically repaired  wrist, reported full health.
• Down the coast in Fort Myers, the Red Sox are extremely optimistic following their offseason overhaul.
• The news isn’t as positive for the Yankees’ cross-town rival, however. Although Bernie Madoff exonerated the Mets of any complicity in his multi-billion dollar fraud, the team still faces a tough financial road ahead. Could Donald Trump soon enter the picture?
• Finally, the clock keeps ticking on Albert Pujols’ self-imposed contract extension deadline, and Tony LaRussa is blaming the MLBPA for the current impasse.

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Breakfast Links: A Quick Wind Sprint Around Spring Training

• Entering camp, the big story surrounding C.C. Sabathia was how much weight he lost over the offseason (and how he did it). On the first day of spring training, however, the story quickly changed to the likelihood that he would exercise the opt clause in his contract.
  

  Today's breakfast links are sponsored by Cap'n Crunch. Just don't let C.C. Sabathia have any!

• If not for the Sabathia overload, the big news of the day would have been Joe Girardi’s announcement that Derek Jeter will remain in the leadoff slot.
• Another hot topic was what should be a very lively competition for the final two slots in the starting rotation. Of course, the Yankees also need AJ Burnett to rebound from his poor 2010 campaign. Otherwise, the bottom of the rotation will be the least of the Yankees’ concerns. This season, both problems, and their potential solutions, will fall in the lap of new pitching coach Larry Rothschild.
• Although the bullpen is mostly set for the upcoming season, all eyes remain on Joba Chamberlain, who looks to finally establish himself in some kind of role . According to Brian Cashman, however, the enigmatic righty first needs to worry about making the team.
• Keeping tracking of names and faces can be challenging during the early days of Spring, so The Star-Ledger’s Marc Carig has provided a list of uniform numbers for all Yankees expected in camp. Number 33 still belongs to Nick Swisher, but don’t be alarmed if the uniform hosting that digit seems a tad on the large side. David Wells is also in camp as a guest instructor.
• Off the field, Alex Rodriguez made news, but this time the attention was welcomed. Chad Jennings at the LoHud blog has some great pictures from a recent ceremony honoring Arod that was hosted by the Latin Baseball Hall of Fame.
• Away from the friendly confines of Tampa, the Phillies unveiled a rotation that is flush with aces. During the press conference, some interpreted Lee’s comments as rubbing salt in the Yankees wounds. However, the biggest news was made in Jupiter, where it was reported that Albert Pujols and the Cardinals mutually agreed to establish Wednesday as the deadline for reaching an agreement on a contract extension. Who knows, if the two sides can’t come to terms, maybe the Yankees can use the money saved from not signing Lee and offer it to Albert?

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