Alex Rodriguez will return to the New York Yankees for the 2015 MLB season. According to general manager Brian Cashman, Rodriguez will have to earn his playing time.
The New York Yankees are stuck with Alex Rodriguez in 2015, whether they want him or not. They don’t, by the way. They definitely do not want him, but they’ve got him and his $21 million hit this season on their payroll.
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If they have to roll with A-Rod on the roster, they might as well play him, right? Try to get some value out of the deal. They will do just that, but it doesn’t mean they are just going to hand him a spot in the starting lineup and in the middle of their batting order.
The Yankees are reportedly in the market for third baseman, namely Chase Headley. That has raised a number of eyebrows around the league, as that would potentially mean taking Rodriguez’s presumed spot in the lineup. General manager Brian Cashman confirmed that possibility this week at the GM’s meetings, saying that the embattled Rodriguez will have to fight for his playing time. From ESPN.com:
"“He’s going to compete for at-bats and for a position,” Cashman said. “The position would be third, and obviously DH and that’s it. Maybe some time at first base. He may be eventually the everyday third baseman, he may be the everyday DH; I just don’t know. I’m going to do everything in my power to drum up some opportunities that are realistic and present them to ownership that may or may not involve third base. I don’t know. It’s very early in the process.”"
That is probably the best Cashman can do as his team prepares for this season and all of the drama that will come with A-Rod’s return. Say that he doesn’t know yet, leave open all of the possibilities, and still hold out hope that this problem somehow, magically goes away, even if that definitely won’t be happening.
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