What A-Rod Never Returning in 2013 Would Mean for Yankees On, Off Field
June 27, 2013 · Chris Stephens · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
Alex Rodriguez is out for the entire season, and additionally, he’s never returning to the New York Yankees.
How many people inside and outside of the organization would love to hear that?
With the ongoing Biogenesis investigation, tweets from the third baseman and last year’s playoff benching, Rodriguez has become a serious distraction in New York.
Bleacher Report has been all over the latest news. From Rodriguez’s uncertainty of returning to New York (Tim Keeny) to Rodriguez’s concern with MLB‘s ongoing investigation (Tim Daniels) to a step-by-step plan for the Yankees and Rodriguez (Joe Giglio), the news continues to surround A-Rod.
So, if Rodriguez has indeed played his last game in New York, what does that mean for the Yankees on and off the field?
On the Field
The biggest thing for the Yankees on the field is the fact that players can focus on playing baseball.
Whether teammates will admit it or not, having the A-Rod distraction carries over on the field—consciously or unconsciously.
What it also does is force the Yankees to look for a long-term replacement at third base. Whether it’s looking towards this year’s free-agent class that includes Mark Reynolds or hanging on until Dante Bichette Jr. makes his way through the minors, the Yankees will have to make a decision.
They also won’t have to worry about Rodriguez flirting with fans during games. When that happened, it showed Rodriguez had no respect for the game, especially considering his team was losing.
Off the Field
While the cameras will always be on in New York, players won’t have to answer any more questions about A-Rod.
Reports can come out all they want that Rodriguez is an accepted member of the Yankees.
But everyone can see through that.
Nothing about Rodriguez screams “Yankees.” Well…except for the contract. He was one of the best players in the game when he opted out of his contract in 2007 and subsequently re-signed another 10-year deal.
But he has rarely experienced success when it counts, and the New York media have let him have it.
Rodriguez was perfect in Seattle and should have stayed there. Even though he wouldn’t have received the two big contracts, he wouldn’t have been under so much scrutiny. Maybe he wouldn’t have gotten involved in PEDs as well.
The one thing the Yankees likely won’t be able to get rid of is Rodriguez’s large contract. While it’s still up in the air what will happen with that situation, as of now the Yankees will be on the hook for $86 million more.
However, they won’t be on the hook for the $30 million marketing bonuses for reaching home run milestones.
He currently sits at 647 home runs and was set to receive the first bonus after passing tying Mays’ mark of 660. Then, he would have gotten other $30 million bonuses for tying Babe Ruth (714) and Hank Aaron (755), and then for passing Barry Bonds (762).
Regardless, Rodriguez is a walking distraction with a lot of drama surrounding him. The Yankees will be more than happy not to have to pay him that money.
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