New York Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez hasn’t played at all in 2014 due to a performance-enhancing drug-related suspension, but despite missing the entire 2014 season, and most of 2013, when he only played in 44 games, Rodriguez doesn’t plan to play any winter ball to help get back into hitting shape:
While there’s rarely any surprising news in regards to Rodriguez anymore, the notion that he won’t play winter ball is slightly curious. Winter ball is mostly for younger players as a sort of “extended development,” but many Major Leaguers, particularly ones who reside in warmer Central American nations, will play winter ball anyways as the seasons are much shorter. So, while Rodriguez not playing this winter is probably not a huge issue, it’s a little odd he wouldn’t consider it, seeing as he’s been away from the game for well over a year.
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Slightly more concerning to Yankee fans should be the unknown that will be Alex Rodriguez at third base. The Yankees traded for Chase Headley at the July 31 deadline to attempt to address a glaring issue at the hot corner, and if Rodriguez can come back and hit, the Yankees would probably get by with him at third. That said, Rodriguez has been on the decline defensively for a few years now, though in 2012, his last full season, he wasn’t killing the Yankees with his defense, at only -2 Defensive Runs Saved, and in 2011, he actually had 13 DRS, which is good, particularly for a hitter as proficient as ARod was that season.
Regardless of what happens, it looks like both sides are trying to bury the hatchet and move on, and Rodriguez intends to play in 2015. Barring a shocking trade, the Yankees will see how much effect the time off had on ARod in spring training.
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