The 2010 Season Finally Comes Into View

I've watched, I've talked, I've consumed and I've even communicated with the holy see, though they are a bit occupied still deflecting charges of covering up wide-spread pederasty from the guy in the whitest of robes.

So, whilst Sunday is the day the imaginary friend of certain club members re-appeared (well before the first Yankee game was played but post dinosaurs ) so, conveniently, have I.

And I am not sober, so these predictions hold holy water, if you read me:

1. The Yankees will get to the World Series again, but they will not win it.

2. Nick Johnson will miss at least 60 games this season, and play injured in several others.

3. Catching will be a continuing nemesis. Jorge will wake up about once every 15 days with a stiffer and stiffer neck, and Francisco will test the efficacy of that funny new helmet, likely in a game against either Boston or Tampa Bay.

4. Jesus will not appear at the stadium until the September call-ups.

5. The next substitute catcher will be some no name from no where, with 8 years back-up experience in the majors. He'll hit in the low .200s. We'll wish we had re-signed Molina by season's end.

6. Brett Gardiner will get off to a slow start, be replaced by Thames, who will be replaced by Winn, only to see Gardiner replace him. Come the trading deadline, the Yankees will make a move. We will trade pitching to the Phillies for some new LF.

7. Grandy will turn out to be a good acquisition. He'll hit better than expected from the left side.

8. Phil Hughes will give up at least one home run in his first outing. He'll go 5+ innings, and the Yankees will still be in the game when he leaves. We'll hear some drivel from John and Suzyn every time Phil pitches about his innings limit.

9. Cano will come in second to Joe Mauer in the batting title race.

10. Joba will either re-discover his magic and we will fall in love all over again, or he'll be terrible. But at least he is finally back where he belongs.

11. If the Yankees lose Mitre for any reason other than acquiring a quality left fielder, we will regret it.

12. Damaso Marte will have injury problems all year long. David Robertson will wind up setting up MO. Boone Logan, by the way, will be awful.

13. Mariano will surprise no one by having another all star season.

14. We will lose the opening series to the Red sox and to the Devil Rays. But likely not get swept in either contest.

15. In the playoffs, Andy Pettitte will be our best "big game" pitcher.