Alex Rodriguez taking reps at first base in Yankees spring training

By Ethan Finkelstein | Feb 28, 2015

Alex Rodriguez is reportedly taking reps at first base this spring.

If this is truly a new Alex Rodriguez, it is a confusing, yet intriguing one at that. The man known as “A-Rod” in Major League Baseball circles, specifically those centered around the New York Yankees, is doing all that he can to be a positive force for his team this spring. Though he is expected to return to the lineup as a nearly full-time designated hitter, Rodriguez is giving another position a try at the moment. According to reports, he is taking reps at first base, and could, if conditions are fitting, play a few games there as Mark Teixeira’s backup during the regular season.

More from MLB

Rodriguez, 39, is coming off of the longest suspension ever dealt to a player in MLB history. In 2013, Rodriguez was caught up in a now infamous biogenesis scandal involving Anthony Bosch, who himself is now spending four years in prison for his involvement. It was his second confirmed test failure as an active player.

Since then, the A-Rod camp has been involved in a litany of controversies which have had him engaged in crossfire with the MLBPA and the New York Yankees. The latter has even expressed disdain for having to harbor Rodriguez seemingly until the end of his original contract extension, signed following his historic 2007 season.

It is the shared belief of virtually every Yankees front office member that the controversy, as well as the diminished results on field, have made the 10-year, $275 million offer a disastrous blunder.

However, A-Rod seems to be trying his hardest to play damage control in the recent months. He has done his best to try averting the attention away from his beleaguered past, while maintaining an optimism for post-“Core Four” Yankees baseball.

Though he failed to disclose his intentions of arriving early to spring training, one cannot fault him for wanting to get back on the field early. His willingness to fight for a spot on the 25-man roster should be admired, even if it is a complete facade. Does anyone really expect Girardi to bench a guy making $22 million alone before incentives? The man represents one-tenth of the 2015 payroll alone.

The overarching point of it is this: A-Rod taking reps at first base shows a willingness on his part to contribute to the team in any manner deemed appropriate. If he wants to be embraced by the team, and ultimately the fans again, he needs to stay the course and put any sort of negative notions about his play behind him.

Being a team player certainly helps. A willingness to perform where needed does, too. Should his numbers pick back up, say to a 30 HR/100 RBI level; that might be the icing on the cake. However, until April hits, no one will back able to really get a feel for how the man will be received back in the Bronx. But hey, this is a step in the right direction.

More from FanSided