New York Yankees: DOs and DON'Ts

• DO expect MVP numbers from 3B Alex Rodriguez in 2010. With the post-season monkey off his back, look for a relaxed AROD to reach his career averages of 44 HR, 128 RBI, 126 R, .305 BA and a .965 OPS.
• DON'T panic if 1B Mark Teixeira starts off slow again. He has a career .249 BA in April. If you stuck with him in 2009, you were rewarded with 103 R, 39 HR, 122 RBI, .292 BA and a .948 OPS.
• DO draft SP CC Sabathia as the ace of your pitching staff. He's a legitimate 20-win candidate workhorse with 200 K stuff.
• DON'T HATE! If you refuse to draft Yankees players for whatever reasons, you WILL NOT succeed in fantasy baseball. It's a game based on collecting the best numbers and Yankees are among the top number producers in baseball. Get over it!
• DO realize that SS Derek Jeter is the 3rd shortstop being drafted within the top 25 picks. Jimmy Rollins (ADP 28.7), Jose Reyes (67.1) and Elvis Andrus (95.6) are your next 3 options. I'm taking Jeter if he's there when I pick.
• DON'T know what to expect from OF Curtis Granderson as a Yankee? If Johnny Damon managed 24 HR, 82 RBI, .282 BA, I'm expecting better for Granderson (30 HR, 85 RBI, .270 BA, 20 SB).
• DO enjoy 40 Saves and stellar ratios from CL Mariano Rivera. He's shown no signs of slowing down or breaking down at 40 years old and there's no reason to assume he will.
• DON'T get me wrong, I love the numbers 2B Robinson Cano put up in 2009 (90/24/84/.321) but second base is a very deep position this year. I'd rather use my 3rd round pick on a guy like Zimmerman, Votto, Werth or Youkilis.
• DO expect some regression from SP Javier Vazquez coming back to the American League but realize he's going to be a #4 starter for the Yankees after being a #1 in Atlanta. He'll get some favorable match-ups which should keep his win total up.\
• DON'T feel like gambling on SP A.J. Burnett making 30+ starts (135.7 ADP)? Skip him and grab the upside of ATL SP Jair Jurrjens (ADP 132.7) instead.
• DO you really want to draft C Jorge Posada (142 ADP)? He's one of the most frustrating guys to own and watch play on television. I'm grabbing ARI C Miguel Montero (142.4 ADP) instead. I'd rather take a player on the rise than one on the decline.
• DON'T want anything to do with the Yankees #5 starter, regardless of who it is (Hughes, Mitre, Joba). I will spot start off waivers if the match-ups look worthy.

Players I'd be willing to use a late-round pick on:

• 1B Nick Johnson (15 HR, .280 BA, .430 OBP)
• OF Brett Gardner (30 SB if he gets 400 ABs)
• SP Andy Pettitte (12 Wins)
• RP Joba Chamberlain (Only if your league uses Holds and K/9)