Around the Yankee Universe, 03.25.09

Here are a few stories of interest today as our New York Yankees continue to prep for the 2009 season.

• So, when is hitting a grand slam a bad thing? When you are a young Yankee prospect inevitably headed back to the minor leagues, apparently. By the way, this note from Peter Abraham includes a glowng report on highly-touted outfield prospect Austin Jackson.
• Brian Bruney's spring ERA is an ugly 7.56, but he isn't worried about it. Right now, neither am I. If Bruney contnues to throw the ball all over the lot once the regular season opens, though, the Yankees are going to have to do some shuffling in their bullpen.
• Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News figures Brett Gardner is an obvious choice to be the center fielder. He also wants to see Ramiro Pena and his flashy glove win the utility infield role instead of Angel Berroa. I agree, even though I still think the Yankees will send Pena to AAA to play every day.
• Manager Joe Girardi still won't tip his hand on the center field competition between Gardner and Melky Cabrera. General Manager Brian Cashman, though, said one guy who won't be in the Yankee outfield is Mike Cameron.
• The New York Times offers a quick glimpse of a wheelchair-bound Boss. Sad, but age catches up to everyone.
• Derek Jeter is back in Yankee camp, and he is in a hurry to make up for lost time, and at-bats. This is another problem with the World Baseball Classic. Jeter isn't the only player who, due to off days and limited at-bats, is now actually behind in his preparation as the season closes in.
• Speaking of Jeter, Vic Ziegel of the Daily News says it's not time to bury the Captain yet.
• A-Rod apparently told Michael Kay he has "given up" on being liked.
• FanGraphs has a quick take on the top players at each level of the Yankee farm system. 
• Ian O'Connor has some thoughts on the new Yankee Stadium. Personally, I was more interested in the accompanying video than what O'Connor had to say.