Alex Rodriguez Intent On Regaining Yankees Starting 3B Job

New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez vows to take back his job from newly-signed Chase Headley when spring training begins in February.

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Don’t think for one second that Alex Rodriguez will let his career go out in a whimper.

The New York Yankees slugger, who missed the entire 2014 season due to suspension, is hell-bent on regaining his job as the Pinstripes’ third baseman despite the team’s signing of Chase Headley on Monday. Rodriguez is projected to play much of the time as a designated hitter and is also expected to learn the nuances of playing first base when spring training begins.

“In his mind, he’s still the third baseman,” a person close to A-Rod said Monday. “That was before (Headley was re-signed), anyway.

“Whatever (poor) decisions he’s made, he’s still addicted to the game and he says he’s working hard to be ready. He’s said to me, ‘people are going to be surprised,’ meaning he’s convinced he still has game.”

New York signed Headley to a four-year, $52 million deal on Monday. Headley batted .262 with six homers and 17 RBI in 58 games with the Yankees after being acquired from San Diego on July 22.

Rodriguez will enter the 2015 season just six home runs from tying Willie Mays for fifth on the all-time list and is also closing in on two other milestones. He is just 31 hits shy from becoming the 29th player to reach the 3,000-hit club and is 31 RBI away from joining Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth and Cap Anson as the only players to cross the 2,000 RBI barrier.

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