Well, the Yankees' pitchers and catchers reported to thier 2006 Spring Training earlier this week, which means baseball isn't too far off. For those of you who have spent the last four months in hibernation, its time to wake up.

A lot has changed since the White Sox finished off a four game sweep of the Houston Astros. Players switched teams, managers were fired and hired and the Marlins decimated their roster for financial reasons. As opposed to recent offseasons, the Yankees remained relatively quiet, making their only big move a few days before Christmas, when they signed centerfielder Johnny Damon away from their arch rival. While position players are no required to report to camp until next week, said centerfielder was present and smiling at Legends Field on Saturday. He introduced himself to his new teammates and tried on the pinstriped pants.

Randy Johnson was in camp early too, and after losing his personal catcher to the Red Sox in the offseason, is making new strides to get to know Jorge Posada better. Johnson and Posada have both said that there isn't any problem between them and won't be. Johnson believed his early season struggles last year were due to poor mechanics rather than who was behind the plate. He expects to return to his dominant, 20-win self this season, and Posada agrees.

The inaugural World Baseball Classic will precede the MLB opening day, and three of the Yankees stars are slated to represent the United States. Damon will be joined by Jeter and Rodriguez on the United States team. Other Yankees such as Cano, Matsui, Rivera and Wang have either decided against playing or withdrawn because of their commitment to a successful season with the Yankees. My view on the WBC is one of mixed feelings. I think it's a great idea, but if baseball hadn't been pulled from the Olympics, I wouldn't see hardly any difference. I also don't want to see any players, let alone Yankee players getting hurt in a series that means absolutely nothing. But I am still looking forward to it.

Spring Training is usually a time where you can watch some great position battles, but the Yankees seem to be set everywhere except in their starting rotation. There are seven quality starters available for only five spots. It is almost certain that Aaron Small will open in the bullpen as a long man/spot starter. And joining Johnson in the rotation seem to be Mike Mussina, Chien-Ming Wang, Shawn Chacon, and Carl Pavano. Pavano is coming off a shoulder injury that shelved him for the second half of the regular season and I'd really love to see him have a great year. But there are questions about his back now, and he is scheduled to throw off a mound in about two weeks. The Yankees say he should be ready by Opening Day, but that Yankees won't need five starters until mid-April because of off days. Jaret Wright is the dark horse who has the potential to be a great starter, but will more than likely be relegated to the same job as Small.