Before that, shortstop Derek Jeter was admitting he was as enthused about this season as any in recent memory. He doesn't normally talk like that. But you have to wonder what he's thinking now.

There's plenty of reason to be excited about the Yankees' roster, the A-Rod mess notwithstanding (if that's possible).

Start with the rotation that looked to be a barren shell only a few months ago and is suddenly an overflowing abundance with Sabathia and Burnett up top and Joba Chamberlain and Andy Pettitte at the bottom. And, oh yeah, Chien-Ming Wang, two-time 19-game winner, in the middle.

Teixeira gives the lineup more punch, Alex Rodriguez has a little less glare on him with all the newcomers and, overall, the Yankees are eager to try opening their new home with the type of World Series championship season that made their old icon of a ballpark so legendary.

It won't be that simple, of course. Manager Joe Girardi has to ease up on some of his tightness -- with the media and through his stiff-legged, tension-inducing jaunts through the clubhouse.

Some pitchers have to step up in the bullpen. Jorge Posada and Hideki Matsui must stay healthy. And all these new superstars have to show they won't succumb to the pressures of New York, as many of their predecessors have.

But other than figuring out who's going to play center field and shoring up some bench spots and a role or two in the bullpen, the Yankees don't have many questions to answer other than whether they can simply do the job they are expected to do.

There's a lot of reason for optimism, as even the most neutral of observers will admit.

WHERE, WHEN: George M. Steinbrenner Field (formerly Legends Field), Tampa, Fla. First exhibition game is Feb. 25 against Toronto at Dunedin, Fla.

TOP CANDIDATE TO SURPRISE: LHP Andy Pettitte has had his pride wounded, and his pay cut well beyond what he initially took as an insult. This also is likely his last season and, as Mike Mussina proved last year, a veteran used to success can show some amazing will to adjust when he needs to most. Pettitte has plenty of incentive (financial, contract-based and competitor-based) to show the Yankees may have considered him as an afterthought, back-end pitcher, but he isn't ready to fit into that small a role.

TOP CANDIDATE TO DISAPPOINT: RHP A.J. Burnett put together a strong season last year with his 18 victories, but his injury-riddled past could cause problems. While Burnett cheerfully revealed during his introductory press conference that he thinks he's in better shape to handle physical problems, it wouldn't be a complete shock to see a highly paid Yankees pitcher fall far short of expectations after what has happened the last few seasons (see: Carl Pavano).

AUTHORITY FIGURES: Manager Joe Girardi will have plenty of ammunition at his disposal on the field but will have to deflect some of it after a shaky first year with the New York media, a season in which the club's 13-year string of making the postseason was broken. Girardi guided the 2008 Yankees to an 89-73 record (and has an overall mark of 167-157, including his year with the Marlins) but will be under greater scrutiny after the Yankees stocked up on big-name free agents CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Mark Teixeira. Girardi's strict style in the clubhouse and sometimes deceptive style with the media led to criticism, and even general manager Brian Cashman has acknowledged he needs improvement this season. The honeymoon period should certainly end if the club struggles with the revamped roster.