I guess we had to know that the first time CC Sabathia got knocked around in spring training, we'd be favored with a story like this:

CC Sabathia didn't forget how to pitch, let's get that out of the way first. Getting smacked around in early March is practically a rite of spring for veteran pitchers, and hardly cause for concern. Still, Wednesday was a reminder that there are at least a couple of reasons to keep an eye on the $161 million man as he adjusts to life as a Yankee: he's a laid-back Californian who admittedly would have preferred the West Coast, and he's pitched a ton of innings the last two seasons. Yes, if Yankee fans feel any need to worry about Sabathia, the numbers that matter aren't the six hits and five runs he gave up in 1-2/3 innings here against the Tigers. Instead it's the total of 512 innings, including postseason, that Sabathia pitched over the last two seasons, by far the most of any pitcher in baseball. Add the stress of pitching on three days' rest in September and October for the Brewers last season, and Sabathia has the potential for a hangover effect that at least some people in baseball believe is inevitable. In fact, according to one Yankee person, Sabathia's workload was a source of some internal discussion before it was decided the combination of talent and toughness was worth investing huge money in him over seven years. "There is (data) out there that made some people nervous," the person said. "You cross your fingers and hope his size and strength makes it a non-issue."

Well, that's a little scary, because … wait, what? A "Yankee person" said that? What kind of Yankee person, exactly? Assistant visiting clubhouse attendant? Vice president, strength and conditioning (legs)? This guy? For years now, we've been seeing quotes like this attributed to a team "executive," which of course could mean just about anything. But "person" … well, that's a new one to me. Sabathia is probably going to be fine. But the Yankees, no matter how much money they spend, are never going to win 100 games every season, in part because they're always going to wind up getting stuck with a terribly bad contract here and there. Sabathia will probably be fine, but what if he's not? Seven years is a long, long time for a baseball pitcher. What if Sabathia isn't himself this year and A.J. Burnett gets hurt again? There's no Plan B, not this summer and probably not next winter. If those guys don't pitch well, the Yankees will finish third again. (H/T: BTF's Newsstand)