MLB Rumors: Yankees could release Alex Rodriguez
With the New York Yankees seemingly in selling mode, Alex Rodriguez could be let go.
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Seeing the New York Yankees become sellers is a rare instance. They always think they’re in on the playoff hunt, so their top players aren’t usually dealt at the MLB Trade Deadline for prospects. That has changed for 2016, though, with the trades of Aroldis Chapman to the Cubs and Andrew Miller to the Indians for packages of prospects.
This could mean that other Yankees, mostly veterans, could be leaving as well. According to Jon Heyman of Today’s Knuckleball, one may be Alex Rodriguez, whom the team could release. This is despite potential issues with his highly salary.
with the sell on and him not playing, some in the organization think it's time to talk about cutting a-rod. not impossible.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 31, 2016
A-Rod has struggled throughout 2016. He’s hitting just .206 in 214 at-bats with 9 home runs and 29 RBIs. This is coming off a 33 home run season for Rodriguez in 2015, which was his highest total since 2008.
The 41-year-old has been with the Yankees since 2004. He was traded from the Texas Rangers for Alfonso Soriano and Joaquin Arias. This 12-year period has seen Rodriguez win two MVP awards, a World Series, and be suspended for the 2014 season due to testing positive for steroids. It’s been an ongoing issue for him throughout his MLB career.
If Alex Rodriguez is released, his time in the MLB could be over. With age not on his side and numbers barely over the Mendoza Line, this could be the last we see of him.
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