X

Have feedback / suggestions? Let us know!

MLB New York Yankees

New York Yankees Can Benefit From Return of Alex Rodriguez

By

USA TODAY Sports-Noah K. Murray

Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

It didn’t take long for New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez to become a tabloid-attention diva for something other than baseball.

On Oct. 30, the Yankees removed Rodriguez, a three-time American League MVP, from the restricted list and placed him on the team’s 40-man roster. A-Rod spent the 2014 season off the diamond while serving a suspension for violating MLB‘s drug agreement and labor contract. Say what you want about the man — he served his time.

Unfortunately, just as A-Rod returned to the Yankees and all the planets in his universe started to align, BANG. Rodriguez finds himself in the center of yet another controversy.

On Wednesday, the Miami Herald reported that Rodriguez testified to the federal government back in January that he indeed used performance-enhancing drugs. So much for Rodriguez easing his way back to the Bronx.

Ever since Rodriguez joined the Yankees in 2004, fans have loved him, despised him, liked him, not liked him, liked him a little, held their noses while cheering for him and everything in between. Many fans hoped that the Yankees would have severed their relationship with Rodriguez after he ran afoul of MLB. The team tried, but to no avail.

The Yankees won’t dump Rodriguez. They can’t, because of his age, his physical condition and, most importantly, his contract. But A-Rod’s return to pinstripes may be the boost that the Yankees need to return to the postseason after a two-year absence.

The team still owes Rodriguez, who will turn 40 years old July 27, 2015, $61 million over the next three seasons. The Yankees escaped paying $22 million of Rodriguez’s $25 million salary last season, but don’t be fooled; money matters, even to the deep-pocketed Yankees.

Aside from dollars and cents, having Rodriguez on the squad still makes sense. The clock may be hitting single digits on his career, but Rodriguez didn’t forget how to play baseball during his hiatus.

Over his last three active seasons, Rodriguez appeared in more than 100 games only once, in 2012. During that year he batted .272, hit 18 home runs and drove in 57 runs. Granted, the Yankees were not getting their $275 million out of the man, but consider that, as a team, the Yankees hit only .245 in 2013. A rested A-Rod will restore punch, or at least a light jab, to a lineup in need of production.

Most likely A-Rod will spend a majority of his twilight years in pinstripes as a DH. Regardless, having his bat coming off the bench late in a game could pay dividends.

On the field the Yankees will have a problem finding a spot for Rodriguez. But since they still owe him over $20 million per year over the next three years, they will find one, even if they have to invent one.

Rodriguez could still play third base, however limited, but don’t expect to see him on the hot corner. According to reports, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman hasn’t ruled out the possibility that Rodriguez could see some time at first base.

In what may be the biggest boost to his tenure, the 2015 A-Rod will no longer find himself competing with the beloved Derek Jeter, who retired following the 2014 campaign.

Tension had existed between the two even before Rodriguez joined the Yankees. The fallout started in 2001 after the publication of a magazine article in which Rodriguez criticized Jeter. In addition to A-Rod’s comments, the presence of two huge egos and the pure competitiveness between them all contributed to the ongoing sour relationship.

Rodriguez will never replace Jeter as a team leader, as a fan favorite or as a player. However, without Jeter in the clubhouse, a huge detriment to the Yankees, Rodriguez can just concentrate on his job of helping the Yankees win another World Series title.

Share Tweet
Trending Now on