1. What will be the biggest stories coming out of Spring Training, and what do you foresee being the major headlines during the season?

Well, clearly Andy Pettitte's situation is the major headline right now, but like all other controversies, that will eventually die down. The main theme this season will be the development of Phil Hughes, Ian Kennedy and Joba Chamberlain, as their success is critical to the team's postseason hopes.

Assuming that at least two of them are in the rotation, the Yankees need them to mature quickly, which I think could happen. Hughes showed us last year that he can compete at this level, as did Kennedy in his three outings. Obviously, doing it over the course of six months is another story altogether, but these guys are much more mature than most 21-23 year olds that I've encountered in this game.

As for Joba, it remains to be seen whether he will wind up in the bullpen or in the rotation, which will be another intriguing storyline this year. I understand both sides of the argument, but for this season, considering the presence of five other starters, I would use him in the setup role. A rotation of Wang-Pettitte-Hughes-Mussina-Kennedy is just fine.

They could use him like they used Rivera in 1996, throwing him two innings, back to backs, whatever, and stay well within his innings limit for the year. Rivera threw 107 innings that year, so why couldn't Joba throw 120 or 130 this year out of the pen? Just because most setup guys generally throw 80 innings, why not use this guy as an über-reliever? Then, next year, when Pettitte and Mussina are gone, you can get him prepared as a starter for the entire season.
 

2. We've heard from a few players, but what are other Yankees saying either publicly or privately about Pettitte's HGH use?

Every player that I have talked to, both on and off the record, has had nothing but supportive words to say about Pettitte. Here's the deal - every player has known for quite some time that there was rampant PED use in the majors, so why would they judge Pettitte any differently because of what he's admitted to?

If you know Pettitte at all, if you've read his deposition and especially after listening to his hour-long press conference on Monday, it's hard to think there are any more bombshells still to come. I think he's going to be able to get past this without much trouble - unless he gets dragged into a Clemens trial, in which case all bets are off.
 

3. Have any of the players commented on how the Mitchell Report is so Yankee-focused?

Not really. The report was useful to the extent that it showed the extent that some players used PEDs, but it's so incomplete that it's hard to take it too seriously. There were two informants, and they both came from New York. There are Kirk Radomskis and Brian McNamees in every big-league city, and Mitchell's people should have found more of them. The fact that the two guys they found were from New York turned out to be unfortunate for the Yankees and Mets, but that's how it goes sometimes.
 

4. Brian Bruney has said he's lost about 20 pounds. Chamberlain looks like he cut some weight. Who else looks good physically (and I don't mean that in an erotic sense)?

Bruney is clearly the most noticeable, but your man Chris Britton showed up to camp with a much smaller midsection than we saw last year as well. With at least three bullpen spots up for grabs, these guys can definitely be in the mix.

I have also been told that Bobby Abreu is in phenomenal shape and is primed for a huge season (in his contract year, naturally). Jason Giambi (also in a contract year) is also supposedly in terrific shape, which could help him play some more first base this year. Should be interesting to see.
 

5. With many candidates in camp, is there any early indication on how the bullpen will be comprised?

The only sure things right now are Rivera, Hawkins and Farnsworth. Assuming they go with a 12-man staff, that leaves four more spots up for grabs. Let's say Joba gets one of them to start the season, that leaves three slots, one of which figures to go to a lefty. Sean Henn, Kei Igawa, Chase Wright and Billy Traber are the prime candidates, and I honestly have no clue who is the favorite there.

If there are two spots for righties after that, I'd figure Bruney gets one. Then it's Ross Ohlendorf, Jose Veras, Britton, Edwar Ramirez and Jonathan Albalandejo fighting it out for the last spot. And that doesn't even take into account guys like Alan Horne and Daniel McCutchen. It's amazing how many options they have.
 

6. In your blog, you said that Girardi will be making the pitchers do more running than in previous Yankees camps. Is proper fitness an area of emphasis under Girardi? What will happen if Damon and Abreu show up for camp out of shape?

Well, as I said before, Abreu is supposedly in terrific shape, so that shouldn't be an issue. I saw Damon last month at the BBWAA dinner in New York and he looked to be in pretty good shape, too. Johnny knows he's going to be fighting for playing time, so I'm sure he'll be ready to go.

Girardi's main objective this spring is to keep everybody healthy, but there has definitely been more running. After watching pitchers do sprints the other day, I asked LaTroy Hawkins how he felt, and all he could say was, "My feet hurt." These guys are being whipped into shape. I just can't wait to see Giambi do sprints. That has to be entertaining.
 

7. Any early word on the first base situation?

Like the bullpen, there are a lot of candidates here. Giambi, Shelley Duncan, Morgan Ensberg, Jason Lane . they could go any way on this one. I'm guessing that Duncan, Ensberg and Giambi all make the team and it sorts itself out during the first month.
 

8. Despite not being the pitching coach any longer, Ron Guidry is at camp. What is his role with the team now?

Guidry is back in the same role he was in before he became pitching coach, working at camp as a guest instructor. Guys like Gator, Goose Gossage, Reggie Jackson, Graig Nettles and Tino Martinez will show up during spring training to work with players on various things. It's nice to see Guidry here, since his departure could certainly have led to some tension. Hard to blame him for the pitching problems last year, but it's also easy to understand why the Yankees wanted to go with Dave Eiland as the pitching coach this year.
 

9. Has Mussina done anything to combat the reduced velocity he has shown in recent seasons?

Personally, I think the reports of Mussina's decline are greatly exaggerated. Sure, he had a dreadful stretch last year in which he was crushed in three straight starts, but don't forget that once he regained his slot in the rotation, he went 3-0 with a 3.49 in September as the Yankees battled for a playoff spot.

Is Mussina the 18-win guy he was early in his Yanks career? No. Can he contribute at the back end of the rotation and give the Yankees 12-14 wins? Absolutely. Mussina used to strike out a lot of hitters, but it was never with a blazing fastball. It was with a variety of pitches, the understanding of how to set up hitters and superb location. If he can command his pitches and throw them where he wants to - something he struggled with during the bad times last year - he'll be just fine. He's not done just yet.
 

10. Carl Pavano is at camp. How do the players treat him? What do they think of him?

I'm not sure that I've seen a single player actually speak with Pavano yet this spring. During the past couple of years, his name was a big punchline in the clubhouse, but now, it's just something his teammates would rather not talk about.

I was actually surprised to see him in camp. I assume the Yankees had to keep him on the roster for insurance purposes, but he's not pitching for quite some time, so why subject him to such a cold environment? Maybe it's payback for all that money he's stealing from them.

People keep talking about how he can come back and contribute this summer, but I'll believe that when I see it. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Fool me a third time? Not happening.
 

Mark Feinsand is in his eighth season covering the Yankees, his second at the Daily News. A native of New York City, Mark resides in New Jersey with his wife and son.