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There’s a growing consensus that the Yankees can make due in the DH spot with Andruw Jones facing lefties and a revolving door of veterans switching off a couple times a week. And it’s mostly true. It wouldn’t be the end of the world starting the season without someone to platoon with Jones – Derek Jeter and Mark Teixeira figure to get at-bats there against lefties, and Alex Rodriguez against righties. Teixeira’s OPS against RHP last year was .779 compared to .967 against LHP. His career splits aren’t as drastic, so if Kevin Long and Teixeira can fix this that gives the Yankees even more of an advantage.

But rotating old man infield — and occasionally Nick Swisher or Curtis Granderson — through the DH spot means more appearances on the field from Jones and the defensively challenged Eduardo Nunez. And to maximize both the defense and the offense it’s best to keep Rodriguez, Jeter, and Teixeira on the field as often as possible. Since we’re all in agreement that Jones shouldn’t be hitting against righties – he had an OPS of .709 against them last year in 76 plate appearances (seems like 76 too many) – the Yankees would be a better club by having an option on the bench who can hit right-handers.

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I would love to see Damon back in pinstripes, but, as Cashman said today, there is no real role for him. The outfield is set and Jorge is going to be the DH.

However, for the sake of killing time during the boring offseason let’s entertain this idea:

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While he did put up solid numbers over his four years in pinstripes — .285/.363/.458 with 77 homers, 296 RBI a 114 OPS+ and No. 27 — the divorce was nothing short of bitter. After scoffing at Brian Cashman’s offer of two years at $7 million per, he left town to play for the Tigers. Not only did he haul ass out of New York, but he said some not nice things on his way out. In my opinion, it was kind of a bitch move.

After watching him and reading his quotes for four years, I have to believe that this whole charade was orchestrated by his agent, Scott Boras. Damon seemed like a good guy that loved playing in NY and always said the right thing. Being Boras’ puppet doesn’t make what he did right, but it definitely paints Damon as less of a scumbag. Remember, Boras did the same thing with A-Rod’s negotiations a few years back and, surprisingly, A-Rod took the high road and canned him to handle the deal on his own.

This begs the question: if you were going to the game(s) will you boo Johnny Damon or not?

As for me, I am torn. I’ll never forget chest-bumping and hugging everyone in sight at YS II on that chilly October night during the fifth inning of Game 3 of the 2007 ALDS when Johnny hit that three-run homer off Westbrook. Plus, who could forget the double steal and everything else that went along with the 2009 postseason? I’ll cherish those memories ’til the day I die. However, what I can’t scrape from my memory is how he went out — a coward that wound up getting just $1 million more for 2010 (and possibly $6 million less in the long run) than he would have from the Yanks.

Upon further review, I guess if I was going tonight I wouldn’t boo him and I wouldn’t cheer him. I’d be neutral. It will be fun to see what Bald Vinny and the rest of the Bronx faithful have in store for him though.

Well, Derek Jeter did it again. He was what many people call, “clutch”. As the game with the Cleveland Indians was tied 5-5 in the bottom of the eighth inning, and with two outs, Jeter stepped to the plate against Jensen Lewis and reminded everyone why he will be known as one of the greatest New York Yankees ever. On a 3-1 pitch, Jeter took Lewis yard and hit what turned out to be the game-winning home run and the run that led to the Yankees’ first win in their new home (Boxscore).

However, Jeter’s wasn’t the only home run hit by the Bronx Bombers who lived up to the nickname as Johnny Damon, Mark Teixeira, Melky Cabrera, and Robinson Cano each had solo dingers. Luckily five solo home runs were enough to win the game as the Yankees did leave 17 runners on base and Joba Chamberlain did not look good at all in his second start of the season, going 4.2 innings, giving up five runs on six hits and five walks with four Ks. Ugly. However, a bright note is that the bullpen, particularly the middle relief (c’mon, do we ever challenge the ninth inning greatness of Mariano Rivera?) looked good as Phil Coke, Jonathan Albaladejo, and Brian Bruney combined to pitch 3.1 innings, giving up one hit, walked none, and struck out three with Bruney getting the win. Let’s hope they keep up the good work.

Current Record: 6-5 (1-1; 5-4); 1.5 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays

Prediction #1: There will be a lot of people in the stadium, of which some will be inebriated, of which some will defile the new stadium with vomit. Grandmothers across the world that still have the plastic covers on their furniture will feel the echoing pain universally.

Prediction #2: There will be many exclamations and profanities uttered and/or yelled in regards to the price of food and drink, which normally wouldn’t be anything out of the ordinary, but it’s so bad that many a rich people will think of how they can sneak in food the next time they come to the stadium like us ghetto folk. Tip: Say you’re on a special medical diet and you can’t eat the park food… it works.

Prediction #3: When Yogi Berra goes to throw the ceremonial first pitch, many people in the crowd, watching on television or though their computers, and listening to the ceremony will sadistically and secretly hope that Yogi falls down on his follow through. Why? Because old people falling over is comedy gold.

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