With Alex Rodriguez’s playing time all but nonexistent lately and unlikely to increase, Yankees managing partner Hal Steinbrenner met with the designated hitter on Wednesday night to gently break him the news that it was time to move on, details FanRag Sports’ Jon Heyman, who adds that the two probably talked on a few occasions before Rodriguez made a decision. A-Rod could have remained a member of the team, although he would’ve continued to garner few at-bats. The 41-year-old instead chose to make a more graceful exit, announcing Sunday that he’ll play his last game with the Yankees on Friday before taking on an advisory role with the club next season. He’ll also receive the nearly $27MM remaining on the contract he signed with the Yankees in 2007.
More reactions to the end of A-Rod’s career as a Yankee:
- In a report similar to Heyman’s, Joel Sherman of the New York Post writes that Steinbrenner and Rodriguez had two face-to-face meetings, and the owner didn’t give the player an ultimatum to retire or else. Rodriguez, in a face-saving move that will give him a chance to find post-playing opportunities in baseball, took the best deal for himself by agreeing to an amicable release, opines Sherman, who questions the importance of the 22-year veteran’s coaching role. Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson has held a similar position with the Yankees for several years, but Sherman points out that his job is mostly ceremonial. That doesn’t mean A-Rod’s will be, however.
- The Yankees’ decision to part ways with Rodriguez came as a surprise to him, he told FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal. “I’m obviously disappointed but I’m also at peace with their decision,” said Rodriguez, who admitted that his relegation to the bench made him “very uncomfortable.” Rodriguez understood it, however, pointing to the organization’s youth movement. In addition to A-Rod, the Yankees have said goodbye to fellow veterans Andrew Miller, Aroldis Chapman, Carlos Beltran and Ivan Nova since last weekend, and first baseman Mark Teixeira will retire at season’s end. On his new position with the franchise, Rodriguez stated, “The great news is, I’m going to be in a role I think I’m going to enjoy. I’m also going to learn a lot. The fact that Hal asked me to do this is something that I’ll treasure.”
- Regarding Rodriguez’s torrid 2009 postseason, one in which he hit .365/.500/.808 and guided the Yankees to a World Series championship, general manager Brian Cashman said Sunday, “That doesn’t happen without Alex’s significant contribution.” Not only that, Steve Politi of NJ.com argues that Cashman wouldn’t be the Yankees’ GM right now if for not that Rodriguez-fueled title. Since then, the Cashman-run franchise has lost three of five playoff series and a Wild Card game, and it’s likely to miss the postseason for the third time since 2013. But that 2009 triumph has helped keep Cashman in the fold and made it easier for ownership to swallow the club’s current retooling status, Politi contends.
- Rodriguez will technically collect more money going forward from his previous team, the Rangers, than the Yankees, according to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. Texas agreed to pay $67MM of Rodriguez’s contract upon trading him to the Yankees in 2004 (a figure that changed after he opted out of the deal in 2007) and still owed him $26MM in deferred money when it went through bankruptcy in 2010. That sum has since grown to $40MM and will continue to increase via an investment account, a source told Grant. Importantly, the money A-Rod has coming to him from the Rangers – who have since changed owners – doesn’t come from their operating budget or impact their payroll. Rodriguez will receive the rest of the payout between this year and 2025.
I’m fascinated these teams who take in millions and billions, end up paying for players to play on other teams for years.
A smart time to do this, saves face for everyone. Yankees are clearly retooling the entire roster, they aren’t likely to be competitive, and giving A-Rod at bats next year (or now) doesn’t make a ton of sense. He wasn’t going to catch and pass Bonds, and, at the rate he was going, Ruth was questionable, so most of the incentive payments were likely out of reach.
Man did the Rangers really screwed up by trading A-Rod. Perhaps the worst move in that franchises history. MVP getting traded to NYY AND gets a deferred money for Alfonso Soriano. Whatever. I read the story over and over again and I still get the logic.
Screwed up when they didn’t pick Cano in the trade.
The Rangers were terrible and has the biggest contract is sports by almost double. Couldn’t afford to keep him
Still confused by that trade. Why did they get so little for him again?
Because he cost so damn much, I wouldn’t have accepted a bag of balls let alone Soriano and Arias
Looks like the Yankees finally took out the trash this year
I will miss seeing Alex play . It is easy for people to hate him and hard for people to admit that he didn’t invent steroids or “cheating” or single handedly ruin the game. He was an easy target because of his inability to admit his mistakes , but most people have that problem , myself included . It is not easy to admit mistakes in everyday life let alone the spotlight in which these players operate. He is a very talented player who was given a huge burden …. His ridiculous contracts in Texas and New York and just tried to play through injuries to live up to the lofty expectations that come with that type of contract. He is guilty of doping. He is also guilty of being human. People make mistakes and not one “fan” on this planet has the right to judge anyone , they can have whatever opinion they want, but not judge anybody. See you in spring training Coach Alex!
This… I hate seeing people act so high and mighty (including HOF voters), especially since: A) he’s not the first person to use PED’s
B) PED’s don’t make a scrub a Hall of Famer
C) Cheating has always been a part of the game (as have PED’s).
He was one of the great talents of his generation, and although it is a shame his legacy has been tarnished, it doesn’t take away from the fact that he was one of the most enjoyable players to watch, especially in his prime…
Doesn’t excuse it.
Couldn’t agree more. It’s a shame he chose to abuse. He truly was a generational talent like Griffey Jr and Trout. He had no need to use PEDs. But again like you said he is HUMAN! We all make mistakes, some mistakes are worse than others. I will say I loved watching him play a few years ago. But I think it’s best for him to go out like this. Best for both sides.
You know what…I will judge him whether or not you believe I have that right. I didn’t care for his lying and cheating throughout, but he crossed the line when he started traveling the country for the Taylor Hooton Foundation, at the behest of Taylor’s father, because, as usual, Alex could stare America in the eye and lie in 2009 and Mr. Hooton believed him.
Taylor died because of roid use…because he wanted to be like Alex and others. When Mr. Hooton asked good ole Alex…Alex could have said “No” but her didn’t. His narcissism and the opportunity of good PR would not let him. Instead A-Rod agreed to go around the country, talk to youth about the evils of PED use. He even stood with hundreds and thousands of young impressionable children and signed a promise, right along with them, to never use PED’s. The all-time he was doing this he was spending thousands of dollars per month With Biogenesis.
You can feel sorry for him all you want, you can say how much pressure he was under, you can hold a pity party for him but at the end of the day he is still a liar and cheat. He took his arrogance to a whole new level when he agreed to represent a organization trying to do good and basically spit on Taylor’s grave and in Mr. Hooton’s face. Yea…I reserve the right to judge him and I am glad he will never see the inside of HoF. Maybe he can set up table outside next to Rose and sell autographed syringes.
Nest time you want to feel sorry for Alex, think instead about Taylor and the other kids who have died or had their lives destroyed because they wanted to be like A-Rod.
Taylor made his own choices. No one knew A-rod was using when Taylor died, their lives were destroyed because they made bad choices.
” he wanted to be like Alex and others.”. Taylor died in 2003…you don’t think people believed Alex and others were juicing in 2003. Taylor was a KID…yet Alex skates because he was “under pressure”? Sorry but I will not be a member of the A-Rod Church of Inaccurate Deception. He stared kids straight in the eye and swore he would never again chest…while he was cheating. Sorry but the guy is scum You can make excuses for him all you want …I’ll pass
“The 41-year-old instead chose to make a more graceful exit….”
AROD doing anything gracefully seems unlikely. Great player – yes. But his whole attitude was and is about himself only. He was told he was going to be cut and that no team anywhere on God’s green earth would pick him up. That’s not him leaving gracefully, that was him facing the desperate reality.
At least he gets all his remaining money, that’s likely all he really wanted…..
I bet somebody would have picked him up. The Yankees would have to pay him, and some cellar dweller might have taken the chance that he’d hit dinger number 700 in their uniform; just a “put some fannies in some seats” move. “Close your eyes and swing hard every time in case you actually make contact…”
I’m sure that’s not all he wanted! If it was one thing he wanted that was the home run title period!
Agreed
Hey let’s take up a collection for AROD. He’s such an outstanding honest fella. Only Hillary can give him a run for his money when it comes to credibility. You can’t believe a word either says. Cmon guys pas the plate for AROD!
why isn’t there a “report” button yet? comments like these really make that missing feature glaringly obvious…
What’s wrong with it? I see only his opinion, and nothing in it that seems incorrect. Just because you may not like it doesn’t merit “reporting” it. That kind of mentality is what’s wrong with a lot of people nowadays. You don’t have to agree with everyone, but censoring their views because they don’t align with your own is ridiculous IMO.
This^
^^
Because he brought in politics. This is a sports forum. Some people come in here to get away from that.
Good riddance.
*
How come every time this guy screws upthere’s always someone there to place a pillow for his fall
It’s called the “media”.. They do it for Hillary and her emails. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a fan of trump either. But one is just a step better than the other when it comes to the better choice
You know this is a site about baseball, right? I’m guessing I’m not the only one who would like to think this place is momentary sanctuary from politics…
Me too!
Keep politics out of this.
We dont exactly know how the Yankees did it, but with Teixeira and A-Rod retiring, Cashman deserves another ‘A’ letter grade for “taking out the trash”.
Now with that additional roster spot, they can bring up Tyler Austin or Aaron Judge. I would probably prefer Austin because he was once a top prospect for the Yankees organization before Judge came along.
Is Alex Rodrigquez the most disliked and hated by the players and fans since Ty Cobb? You look at his raw numbers and see he played for the Yankees you would think this guy must have led the Yankees to at least five or more World Series. He was a great player on a great team that completely disappeared during crunch time.
The one moment that will define his entire career is when he slapped the ball out of the Red Sox pitcher’s hand because he couldn’t step up his game.
You are going too far back! Most hated player since Barry Bonds…
Nah. I’ll remember his .365 ba and six home runs during the 2009 playoffs.
Nah. I’ll remember his .365 ba and 6hr during the 2009 playoffs.
Yay!
Anyway you look at I the was the best player in baseball for a period of time. His time is up and he deserves a good send off . He made mistakes but paid his due should be a HOF but probably won’t get in.
Hey woodpecker aren’t you the goofball that says the putrid NETS are making the playoffs? You should be permanently banned from this site and committed to an institution! The NETS may not win a game before Xmas.
Who cares…. Never liked this guy…. He was a cheater and a liar…. The most over paid in sport….. And will still be paid his full contract into next season….. What a joke….. The Yanks have money to burn…..
Did you hate Barry Bonds as well?
Report button woodhead? Aren’t you the Nets fan who said your sad sack team is making the playoffs? You’d better hope they win a game before XMAS. The under over on the Nets winning more than 10 games is even money. As for who is more disingenuous it’s a toss up between Hillary AROD and Pinocchio. Get a life as you got to lighten up!
Relax man you’ve made 3 posts about it since, but if you want the freedom to bitch about unaffiliated politics on a sports site then they have the freedom to bitch about you.
Even after all the money he’s made… He still weasels the last 27MM of his contract. He could’ve been a good guy for once and let money not be a factor for once