Where does Alex Rodriguez fit in with the 2015 Yankees? Maybe first base
Alex Rodriguez already switched positions once for the New York Yankees, moving from shortstop to third base when he came to the Bronx. Now, the Yankees want A-Rod to learn another position as he prepares to return from his one-year PED suspension.
A-Rod could see time as the Yankees’ back-up first baseman next season, according to GM Brian Cashman, who is tasked with finding a use for a past-his-prime 40-year-old with two bad hips. The Yankees owe A-Rod $21 million next season and their lineup needs help, so they can’t very well stash him on the bench.
Cashman says A-Rod’s primary roles would still be at third base and as a designated hitter, but he indicates manager Joe Girardi has already approached A-Rod about learning to play first. Girardi previously had said he expects A-Rod to contribute next season, but he’d need to see how well A-Rod could play after a year off before deciding his role.
At a Friday press conference to announce his new three-year contract as Yankees GM, Cashman addressed the $21-million Centaur in the room, telling reporters:
“I don’t think it’s safe to assume that he can play third base,” Cashman said. “With his age and missing a full year, you have to have some perspective. This is a very difficult game. Alex is up for that challenge, but I think it’s safer to assume that might not be something that he can handle the whole year” …
“I know one thing, he’s a great presence in the lineup when he’s healthy,” Cashman said. “And we look forward to good health and obviously production. But to assume anything right now on the front end, I can’t do that.”
Having a solid backup for Mark Teixeira at first is important to the Yankees, giving his injury history. Teixeira hasn’t played more than 150 games since 2011. In 2014, he played 123 games. A-Rod, however, has never played anywhere in the infield other than third base or shortstop.
The Yankees have other needs too. Chase Headley is a free agent, so there’s a hole at third. Derek Jeter retired (if you hadn’t heard), so there’s a gap at short. The Yankees acquired Martin Prado at the trade deadline. He can play third, second and outfield, so the Yankees might opt for Prado, 30, over A-Rod at third.
If the Yankees really wanted to be a sideshow in 2015, they’d move A-Rod back to shortstop and let him be Jeter’s replacement.
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Mike Oz is an editor for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @MikeOz
