Posada at top of Yanks' pleasant surprises

Even now, Jorge Posada can't help himself. When the opponent is hitting, Posada will think along with the Yankees' pitcher, trying to determine the path to one more out.

"I keep watching what they're doing," Posada said Sunday as the Yankees prepared to close out a series against Texas at Yankee Stadium. "I'm never going to get away from that."

In the early going of the season, however, Posada has offered hope that he can get away from his old job of everyday catcher and settle into his new gig of everyday designated hitter.

The Yankees' most recent offseason proved terribly unsatisfying for both the team and its fans, and the beautiful marathon of the 162-game season will tell the true story for this club. It always does for everyone.

Nevertheless, as the Mets have shown, while you can't decide your season in April, you sure can create a great deal of misery with a slow start.

Everything hasn't gone swimmingly in the Bronx, either. But the Yankees can take heart this morning in knowing 1) They reside in first place in the American League East, the only team in the division with a winning record; and 2) Many of their winter decisions have produced short-term dividends.

Posada entered Sunday night's's action with five homers, tying him with four others (including Yankees teammate Mark Teixeira) for the American League lead. His underwhelming .261 on-base percentage looked better when held up next to his stellar .537 slugging percentage.

"Obviously, it's a lot easier when we're winning and a lot tougher when we're losing," said Posada, who was 0-for-2 before walking in the seventh inning of a 5-5 game Sunday night. "But you know what? My mind is a lot better."

The man who replaced Posada behind the plate, Russell Martin, has produced on the offensive side -- he slammed a two-run homer off Texas starter Alexi Ogando that tied the score at 3 in the fifth inning -- and played satisfactory defense.

"He's been good. Very, very good," Posada said. "I'm very happy. He really cares. He wants to be out there, and it's fun to see."

Low-risk buys Bartolo Colon and Freddy Garcia already have contributed. Their durability remains a question, but that's why the Yankees have more fringy guys in reserve; Kevin Millwood threw a one-hitter for Double-A Trenton Sunday.

Highly compensated setup man Rafael Soriano? Mixed results. We still have to see whether he grows comfortable with his voluntary demotion. Joba Chamberlain, despite having allowed the tying run to score in the seventh inning last night, has shined in his role, which is lower-leverage but still high-profile and important.

With Alex Rodriguez needing a day off to rest his oblique and lower back Sunday night, Joe Girardi could start Eric Chavez at third base and feel confident about it, as Chavez has played extremely well so far. Andruw Jones, serving as a platoon outfielder against lefties, has put up good numbers, too.

Posada, asked if he feels any healthier now that he no longer squats for a living, responded, "It's still too early. I think everybody feels good right now. You ask me that question in August or September, I can tell you. But everybody feels good now."

That applies to all of these guys either wearing new uniforms or taking on new tasks. Most everyone is pleased. Some will fizzle out, for sure, and perhaps some will keep it going.

More imports will be required to attain the Yankees' annual goal of winning the World Series. More positive first impressions will be necessary. More adjustments.

As long as the Yankees are winning, as Posada said, you shouldn't hear any complaints. This after a winter full of them.