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Spring training capsule: New York Yankees

 
New York Yankees Alex Rodriguez waits his turn in the batting cage during a spring training baseball workout Thursday, Feb. 25, 2016, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) FLCO111
New York Yankees Alex Rodriguez waits his turn in the batting cage during a spring training baseball workout Thursday, Feb. 25, 2016, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) FLCO111
Published Feb. 29, 2016

New York Yankees

Key additions: 2B Starlin Castro, LHP Aroldis Chapman, CF Aaron Hicks

Key losses: RHP Adam Warren, LHP Justin Wilson

Spring story lines

Chasing the Babe: By merely approaching the production of his resurgent 2015 season (33 home runs), 40-year-old DH Alex Rodriguez will equal or surpass one of baseball's indelible numbers. Only two years after his season-long suspension for links to PEDs, A-Rod enters his 22nd season 27 homers shy of Babe Ruth's career total of 714. Is there enough remaining in A-Rod's tank, and enough swivel in those surgically mended hips, to make a run at the Bambino?

Redemptive tale? After a mostly forgettable 2015 season (6-10, 4.73 ERA) that ended with his entrance into alcohol rehab, aging lefty C.C. Sabathia will try and secure the fifth starter's role. Sabathia, who turns 36 in mid-July, provided some early optimism with two bullpen sessions before pitchers and catchers even reported to Tampa. If he can conquer his demons and somehow approach the form of Sabathia circa 2012, a decent Yankees rotation could become dominant.

No spending spree: For those still doubting the coming apocalypse, consider the Yankees were the only team not to sign a big-league free agent this winter. Instead of throwing money at marquee names, the Yankees added key components (such as Castro, Chapman) through trades to complement their aging nucleus. That means the core of the offense remains Rodriguez, 39-year-old RF Carlos Beltran and — if healthy — 36-year-old 1B Mark Texeira.