Expectations in the Bronx are sky-high again. With a retooled pitching rotation and a lineup that runs deep, the Yankees have positioned themselves as genuine contenders, and the talk around the stadium has already turned to October.

The front office spent the offseason addressing the gaps that ended last season early, adding arms and depth. The fictional rookie infielder Marcus Deane has electrified spring camp, giving the team a jolt of young energy to complement its veteran core.

The division, however, looks brutal, with several rivals loading up as well. Yankees fans have learned that talent alone guarantees nothing, but for now the mood in the Bronx is unmistakably one of anticipation for a deep and meaningful summer of baseball.