Sure, eventually this steroids controversy might let up and the man has some of the most (natural?) talent in the game, but regardless, the distraction has reached unhealthy proportions.

Especially since the expiration date on the story surrounding his performance-enhancing use isn't anytime soon -- thanks partially to Rodriguez's own credibility-lacking performance at his press conference to address the issue.

Not many folks were willing to swallow the young, stupid and naïve bit he kept repeating -- especially from a player who hired killer agent Scott Boras and was in the midst of a $252 million contract when he first used the drug Primobolan.

Aside from credibility, A-Rod failed to offer closure, instead introducing new angles by talking about an unnamed cousin (later reported by ESPN to be Yuri Sucart) and saying he got the drug legally in the Dominican Republic (a fact Dominican officials and pharmacists dispute, according to ESPNDeportes.com).

Finally, Rodriguez could be in for a whole new world of controversy after a New York Daily News Report linked him to trainer Angel Presinal, who has been banned from private areas of Major League Baseball because of concerns that he might have a steroid link himself.

Nothing was ever proven about Presinal and he has declared his innocence, but the connection -- which the News reported as a private one that went on from at least 2001 to 2007 -- is not a good one.

This is now the story of the 2009 Yankees rather than the arrival of CC Sabathia or the impending Al East race against Tampa Bay and Boston.

Of course, it wouldn't have been if the Yankees had let A-Rod go a year and a half ago.

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.