A-Rod, Yankees near end of run
NEW YORK — His time with the New York Yankees drawing near an end following more than a decade of controversy, Alex Rodriguez proclaimed: “No matter what happens, I’m at peace with myself.”
After trading four veterans and turning their attention toward rebuilding, the Yankees appear to have little or no use for a 41-year-old designated hitter with a .204 batting average, one whose playing time has all but disappeared in the past month.
“I think I can contribute. I think I can help out in the clubhouse,” Rodriguez said Tuesday, “but if not, I have two beautiful daughters waiting for me in Miami.”
Four home runs shy of 700, he trails only Barry Bonds (762), Hank Aaron (755) and Babe Ruth (714) on the career list. But he may not get there with the Yankees, who want to test youth after giving up hope on the present by dealing Aroldis Chapman, Andrew Miller, Carlos Beltran and Ivan Nova for 10 prospects, pitcher Adam Warren and two players to be named.
“In maybe the near future, do I see him getting a ton of at-bats?” manager Joe Girardi said at Citi Field before the Yankees’ 7-1 loss to the Mets. “No, I probably don’t, because of some of the changes that we’re possibly going to make here.”
Rodriguez has nine homers and 29 RBIs this year, and only four hits in his last 37 at-bats.
Earlier this month, Beltran displaced A-Rod from his DH slot. Touted catcher Gary Sanchez, expected to be called up before Wednesday’s game against the Mets in the Bronx, is among the players likely to see time at DH going forward.
Rodriguez has a $20 million salary this year and is owed $20 million in 2017, the final season of his $275 million, 10-year deal. The money makes a trade unlikely, leading to speculation he will be designated for assignment and then released.
“My plans are for him to be there tomorrow with us,” Girardi said after the game.
Owner Hal Steinbrenner, speaking Tuesday on an ESPN radio show simulcast on the team’s YES Network, said decision-makers had not gotten that far.
