Alex Rodriguez' skeletons are cleaned from his closet (think the Eminem song) and his playoff demons exorcised. A.J. Burnett and Jorge Posada are BFFs. Joe Girardi's seat is as hot as the current weather in New York City. The Joba Chamberlain-Phil Hughes starter-reliever debate is old news at this point.

Fellow Yankees fans, we are staring in the face of a quiet Spring Training in Tampa.

Or so we thought.

Just when it seems like nothing will shake this fanbase coming off a 27th World Series championship, we are reminded that two of the longest-tenured Yankees are entering their contract years. Derek Jeter is finishing a 10-year, $189M contract, while Mariano Rivera is at the end of a 3-year, $45M deal.

Yep, it's open season for fans and media to "worry" about Mo and Jeter's contract status.

Both men are on record as stating that the Yankees' policy regarding in-season negotiations is not a problem and they will be focused on the task at hand. But that hasn't stopped people from openly speculating about the two Yankees icons. The primary focus is, of course, Jeter. All the questions about him having to switch positions and his declining defense -- which stopped last season -- have resurfaced. There's also the wonder of how much will the Bombers be willing to give their franchise player and captain: will he command A-Rod money? Will he have to take a huge paycut? Will he be handed a blank check? We cannot forget about the 40-year-old Mariano: how long will he be the best closer in the game? What will he ask for to stay? Will he ride into the sunset after this season?

I want to make this perfectly clear: Derek Jeter will get his money. Mariano Rivera will get his money. Unless a viable replacement for both men quickly emerges (and don't you dare say Joba Chamberlain -- YET), both men should -- and will -- be in Yankee pinstripes for as long as they wish until the time comes to hang up the spikes. So to everyone who's trying to make the situation bigger than it really is: sit down, shut up and enjoy watching our boys take World Series title #28. Stop being so desperate for news stories and blog posts that you are willing to make a mountain out of a molehill.

That's the last I'm saying on the topic.

Now if only the snow would stop ...

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