Have You Heard The News?

George Steinbrenner's daughter, Jenny Swindal, filed for divorce today from her husband Steve Swindal, putting the future of the Yankees’ ownership in limbo. Now the change of command will change. Maybe Steve's DUI a few weeks ago was related. All I know is if he isn't good enough for Jenny, then he's no good to the Yankee Empire.

Pavano is in line to start Open Day...at home!!! Did I mention it's Opening Day at Yankee Stadium? After giving it some thought, I like that move. This guy has a lot to prove. He's basically done nothing since he arrived. This should be a fresh start. He's healthy. He pitched well in Spring Training. I say prove yourself.

Wang is supposed to be on the DL until April 27th. So if the Yankees can survive early on that will be ok. Better to lose a player early than late in the season.

At first base, it looks like Josh Phelps has emerged as the clear-cut candidate to win the righthanded job, as he continued his red-hot spring today with two more hits, including a home run and two RBI. Andy Phillips took the golden sombrero, striking out four times to drop his average to .190 – a whopping .248 lower than Phelps.

Phillips is one of the most popular guys in the clubhouse, and his glove is much better than Phelps, but I can’t see how Joe Torre could pick Phillips in this race.

UPDATED
Andy Phillips, who had been competing with Josh Phelps to platoon at first base with Doug Mientkiewicz, yesterday was placed on outright waivers. The move (which was revealed by a major-league official who asked not to be identified because waivers are confidential) means that by tomorrow Phillips will be claimed by another team or sent to the minors by the Yankees.

The bullpen is shaping up to be Rivera, Proctor, Farnsworth, Vizcaino, Myers, Bruney and either Villone or Henn. Unlike the Phelps/Phillips situation, Torre might be able to go with his guy here, keeping Villone on the team. To do that, Villone will have to have a couple of good outings in the next four days. Otherwise, Henn will get his shot.

I don’t have a problem with Villone making the team, since Henn will still be in the system. If Villone is ineffective, the Yankees can always cut bait and bring up Henn, so it’s basically a $2 million risk.

The backup catcher race is still pretty even, with neither Wil Nieves or Todd Pratt taking charge. The guess here is Pratt, simply because Torre likes to have a veteran in that role.