And that right there is precisely the difference between K-Rod and the other new guy in town, CC Sabathia, whom the Yankees will be introducing today.

One guy has made it clear he wants to be here.

The other, so far, has definitely not.

To be fair, Sabathia will have his chance in the spotlight today, and he'll have more than enough opportunities to explain to everyone why he thinks he will do fine in New York even though this wasn't his first choice.

When K-Rod stepped onto the makeshift dais at the Citi Building in Long Island City yesterday morning for the first time, he looked directly at the hundred or so reporters, photographers and video cameras staring right back at him. He did not hesitate, he did not flinch, he did not look as if he wanted to run away.

If anything, he looked comfortable.

A smile came across his face later as he explained that he is pleased, excited and - most importantly - accepting of the spotlight that will now be on him for the next three Baseball seasons, for better or for worse.

It's hard to imagine that Sabathia will be anywhere near as convincing today.

Not after the Yankees had to bid $61 million more than the next team. Not after Brian Cashman had to fly to Sabathia's California home and hand deliver their new offer. And certainly not after the Yankees agreed to include an opt-out clause after the third year, which drastically changes the scope of the deal.

You can call the Sabathia contract a seven-year deal if you want, but in reality they have agreed to a three-year working relationship. Realistically, there will be no fourth year. It will make absolutely no sense for him not to opt out, unless of course he is hurt or has spent three seasons morphing into the East Coast's version of Barry Zito.

Always the biggest unknown when the Mets and Yankees import a top player is the New York adjustment factor. If you're like Johnny Damon, there will be no adjustment period needed. But if you're like Randy Johnson, you'll know you made a mistake the first time you have a camera placed in your face.

"The transition is not going to be hard," K-Rod said. As evidence, he pointed to his past. He's from Caracas, the biggest city in Venezuela, which should count for something. He wants to live in the city, to be among the fans on the streets. And - get this - he welcomed the boos from the Mets fans, saying he's looking forward to using their "energy" to his advantage.

"I look forward to that experience," he said, words that might make Aaron Heilman and Scott Schoeneweis laugh.

Maybe K-Rod is nuts. Maybe he's fooling himself. Or maybe he's just sick of fans in California leaving before he entered the game in the ninth inning, as they have a reputation for doing. Whatever the reason, Rodriguez yesterday seemed genuinely excited and understanding of the road that lay ahead of him. And for that, Mets brass has to be excited.

Will Sabathia come across the same way in his news conference today? Will Sabathia say he's looking forward to making a special trip to New York City in January to look at different parts of the city for a place to live, like Rodriguez said yesterday? And will Sabathia say this about New York City: "I like to be on the big stage."

Again, hard to envision.

That's why, for the first time in what feels like a long time, it appears roles have reversed. For once it's the Mets who got a player who wants to be here, while it's the Yankees who have to cross their fingers and hope their guy is talented and strong-willed enough to overcome wanting to be somewhere else.