Sabathia's status will set things up for the rest of the rotation. A strong start would allow A.J. Burnett to settle in as the other new guy, Chien-Ming Wang to have a less pressurized welcome back from an injury-marred 2008 season, and Andy Pettitte and Joba Chamberlain to work out whatever kinks come on opposite ends of the age spectrum.

A rough start and everyone else will obviously need to pick up their No. 1 rather than take comfort in him.

If so, at least Sabathia has laid the groundwork by mentoring Chamberlain and bonding with players young and old on the staff.

"It's just a part of who I am," Sabathia told reporters recently. " ... I like to hang out with my teammates and talk to them and get to know them."

That's definitely helped him fit in with his new teammates and helped them feel more comfortable.

But nowhere near as comfortable as Sabathia is capable of making the whole club feel if he gets off to a strong start on the mound.