A-Rod: 'I think I can still play'

We made it three days into the Alex Rodriguez farewell proceedings before this happened, and honestly, that might have beaten the odds.

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On Tuesday in Boston, as the Yankees were getting ready to play the Red Sox, A-Rod told reporters that while he hasn’t considered any actual possibilities, he still thinks he can play in the big leagues. Take this, from Newsday’s David Lennon:

A-Rod asked if he would play for another team. “I don't know that answer right now.” Later adds, “I think I can still play.” #yankees

— David Lennon (@DPLennon) August 9, 2016

A-Rod, of course, announced Sunday that he’d be playing his “final game” on Friday. While this was distilled into “retirement” — mostly because he’s 41 and hitting .204 — technically he’s being released by the Yankees. That means A-Rod gets all the money due to him this year and next (about $27 million). The club announced A-Rod would be taking on an advisory role starting next season, helping youngsters get ready for the rigors of big-league life.

Orrrrrrrr, he could just change his mind and go sign somewhere else. There’s nothing, aside from declining skills, stopping him from deciding next season that he wants to play again.

In other words: If you think Friday is the end of the A-Rod drama, you are sorely mistaken. We could very well be in for some Brett Favre-like retiring/unretiring by the time spring training rolls around.

For now, though, the focus is on this week and just what A-Rod can do in his final games in pinstripes. The kumbaya vibe of Sunday’s announcement has already worn off, with A-Rod saying he’s disappointed that the Yankees aren’t starting him against the Red Sox on Tuesday or Wednesday.

A-Rod said he wanted to play Wed (vs Pomeranz) and Thu ( Wright), so he's disappointed only getting Thu start. #Yankees

— David Lennon (@DPLennon) August 9, 2016