Fansided

5 reasons the Yankees should release Alex Rodriguez

By Brad Berreman

May 5, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Yankees designated hitter Alex Rodriguez (13) gets ready at third base during the ninth inning in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. The New York Yankees won 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
May 5, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Yankees designated hitter Alex Rodriguez (13) gets ready at third base during the ninth inning in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. The New York Yankees won 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn-Getty Images
Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn-Getty Images /

4. No Viable Defensive Position

Rodriguez was once a fairly under-appreciated defensive player, as a shortstop with the Seattle Mariners and a third baseman upon his arrival in New York when he moved there to accommodate Derek Jeter.

But since he returned from suspension in 2015, and not coincidentally as he approached and crossed 40 years old, Rodriguez has basically strictly become a designated hitter. Over the past two seasons he has played just six total games in the field, four at third base last season and two at first base this year, while starting three of those games.

Becoming a designated hitter as on older man is not unprecedented. Harold Baines, Edgar Martinez are the most notable examples of players that extended their careers beyond when they could contribute anything defensively, and there are plenty of others who lasted a few more years with the option to stay in the lineup regularly while protecting their health.

But a player has to produce with bat in his hands to make being strictly a designated hitter work. Rodriguez has not held up his end of things in that regard, and there’s no end in sight right now.

Next: 3. Durability Concerns

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