• January 20:  Feeling good, A-Rod expects to play third base
Alex Rodriguez says that his offseason workouts are going well and that he plans to do most of his work helping the Yankees in the field, not as a designated hitter.

• January 13:  Number 13 not a favorite of ballplayers
The Number 13 and popular culture have been staring down each other for eons. Ballplayers, as some of the most visible cultural icons, typically lead the parade away from the ultimate tragic number.

• January 12:  Trading places: Position shifts on tap for '12
From Hanley Ramirez's highly publicized move from shortstop to third base, to well-known relievers making the transition to the rotation, many players will be changing roles in 2012.

• January 11:  Megadeals have proven to be a mixed bag
Megadeals always work out for the players. For the front offices that approve the expenditures, the record is more mixed. Some of the biggest contracts in baseball history have been wise signings, others caused teams to wish for a do-over.

• January 3:  Long: Rodriguez focused, determined
The healthy confidence Alex Rodriguez carried into Spring Training last year prompted at least one observer to wonder aloud if the Yankees third baseman was heading toward a reprise of his 2007 American League MVP Award campaign.

• January 1:  Busy offseason gives fans much to anticipate
A season of mystery lies ahead for fans in 2012, after a host of player moves, as well as several changes in dugouts and front offices, marked a volatile offseason.

• December 30:  Core in place, Yanks eye championship No. 28
The arrival of the New Year presents an opportunity to start all over again, as Yankees pitchers and catchers report to Tampa, Fla., on Feb. 19.

• December 29:  Issues in AL from '11 lead to questions for '12
Much of what happens on the field in the coming season will be the result of incidents and situations that occurred in the past. Each team in the American League has some interesting issues to face. Here is a team-by-team preview of what each club in the AL will have to deal with come 2012.

• December 29:  A-Rod undergoes experimental knee treatment
Following a tip from basketball star Kobe Bryant, Alex Rodriguez traveled to Germany earlier this month for experimental treatments on his troublesome right knee and left shoulder, the Yankees confirmed on Wednesday.

• December 26:  Milestones dot Yankees' 2011 campaign
As the Yankees prepare to flip the calendar from 2011 to 2012, they'll do so with largely the same team heading back to the Bronx. They've been quick to remind observers that this roster still stands out among the best in the game.