It was an ominous message sent by the Yankees’ organization Saturday night when they announced a last minute press conference scheduled for Sunday morning. The headline name associated with the conference was Alex Rodriguez’s, while both general manager Brian Cashman and manager Joe Girardi were expected to speak, as well.
The purpose of the conference was made loud and clear at 11am on Sunday morning. Alex Rodriguez, the controversial and yet iconic Miami-born slugger, is going to play his last game Friday against the Tampa Bay Rays. At the conclusion of the game, the Yankees are set to release him from his player contract, and then sign him as a special advisor to the Yankees’ owner Hal Steinbrenner.
In recent weeks, the Yankees have made a conscious effort to making their team younger and more exciting as they get set for future success. The 2016 season has been considered a loss, already, and it is expected that the remaining month and a half will be used to showcase the young and upcoming talent waiting in the ranks. But A-Rod’s presence in the clubhouse, although influential to the young guys as he was viewed as a mentor, represents the glaring issue the Yankees have been faced with for the last few years. They are old, injury-prone, and unproductive.
Rodriguez’s days as a Yankee have been filled with exciting moments, both for the good and bad. Brian Cashman credits their latest World Series win in 2009 to the contributions of A-Rod in that postseason. A notorious playoff underachiever, the 2009 postseason was his coming out party. He hit .365 (19 hits in 52 at bats) with 6 home runs and 18 RBI’s. It remains the only championship ring he has won in his 22-year career.
The moves made at the trade deadline made it clear what direction the Yankees wanted to take, but this past week has all but solidified it. Earlier in the week, Mark Teixeira announced this season would be his last, and now with Rodriguez’s announcement it has been determined that the Yankees will be a completely different team come spring training next year.
A-Rod was hitting .204 this season in 234 plate appearances, with only 9 home runs. For the past week and a half he has been resigned to the bench, a situation he’s described as being “painful and embarrassing,” but one he has accepted nonetheless.
He’ll remain with the organization as a special advisor and instructor. Whether he decides to try and play for another team next year has yet to be decided.
