Ron Berkowitz, he spokesperson for Alex Rodriguez says that his client intends to come to Spring Training, but as a special adviser rather than a player, as Christian Red of the New York Daily News reports. Rodriguez had previously announced that he would not play again in 2016, with reports suggesting he did not have plans to attempt a future comeback, though this is perhaps the clearest indication yet that the 41-year-old is likely beyond his playing days.
Since wrapping up his tenure with the Yankees with an agreement that gave him an ongoing role with the organization even as he was released from the roster, Rodriguez has taken a well-reviewed turn as a postseason baseball analyst. Now, he’s “looking forward to heading to spring training to work with the young guys as he has said all along,” per Berkowitz.
While it may seem like a needless formality to address Rodriguez’s playing situation, it had been at least somewhat ambiguous as to whether he’d consider trying to make a return. And there’s little question that organizations would consider bringing him into camp. Though A-Rod posted an anemic .200/.247/.351 batting line in his final season in the majors, he’s also a historically great player who slashed .250/.356/.486 and hit 33 home runs in 2015.
Indeed, the Marlins acknowledged having some interest in the long-time star last August. Miami and other organizations might be intrigued to see whether there’s anything left in the tank, with the added benefit of bringing in a major draw who is just four dingers away from becoming just the fourth player ever to hit 700 in his career. And it certainly doesn’t hurt that New York will be footing the bill for Rodriguez (at $21MM).
It seems, though, that such a dramatic effort will not be undertaken. No doubt, it would have drawn an inordinate amount of attention, if not some controversy, given Rodriguez’s high profile and PED-filled past. Instead, as organizations prepare to open camp in advance of the 2017 season, the veteran will draw cameras during his stint as an instructor.
I might be on the minority, but I thought he was great on TV during the playoffs. But I suppose anyone can look great next to Pete Rose and Frank Thomas.
Agreed
I thought he was really good too. Has a lot of insight on the game. On the other hand, Rose was about as bad as it gets.
Rose was only good with the bat. Not the mouth. A monkey would look smarter on the podium next to Rose. Alex did do a great job and was the best during the PS.
Don’t insult the monkey population!
Monkey population getting rave reviews
I don’t think you’re in the minority at all. I think Chris Archer looked great too.
Nah, he was just good.
He was the best of them, I don’t think Frank is too bad, Rose next to him kind of brings him down. I thought A-rod overcame Rose’s poor performance
Your not the minority. It is generally agreed upon that he does a really good job in the booth.
A-Rod was terrific. Smart, well-spoken, and really understands the game. It is why he was so good at coaching the young players he’d meet on the Yankees.
I am NOT a fan of A-Rod so it pains me to say that I thought he was really good as an analyst. I honestly wanted him to suck.
As a player I found him to be insecure, annoying and constantly saying stupid stuff. He seemed like a different person as an analyst.
Again… it’s hard for me to compliment this guy, but I really enjoyed him as an analyst and would tune in to watch him again.
Please don’t tell me friends I said any of this.
* my friends
Seattle should give him a one day contract so he can retire with the team…. or should it be with Texas or should it be with NYY??
He already had his last game in NY and they honored him pre-game. I doubt they sign him to a 1 day contract to retire.
Yeah, dude’s definitely a Yankee through and through.
There is way too much bad blood in Seattle for them to do that. Remember when he left he said it wasn’t about money it was about going to a better team? Texas was awful and Seattle did pretty good for awhile after he left. If he would have been honest nobody would have cared as much but to insult the fans like that was a slap in the face. He was still loudly booed when he came to Seattle as a Yankee. So no I don’t think a 1 day contract is a good idea.
Jennings will have a break out season no matter where he signs. Late bloomer like guys like Joey Bats and EE.
Considering the rave reviews he is getting as a postseason broadcaster this is not surprising.
Unlike Peter O’Brien’s defense at catcher and the outfield
Good, go away.
AddisonStreet you’re really coming off like a huge turd in the punch bowl
Because I’m tired of hearing news stories about a juicer that was forced to quit his team? Yeah, okay, whatever you say.
Learn to relax AddisonStreet. Don’t let it ruin your night, I hope things get better for you.
I’m not a fan of A-Fraud…I’m also not giving you rave reviews for your attitude
I wholeheartedly agree. i’m not getting rave reviews on AddisonStreet.
He gets the same reviews as peter o’brien’s defense at catcher and of
Networks might get a few more positive reviews with regsrds to broadcasting if they would stay away from former players with no talent for the broadcasting booth like that trio had and would go with people from teams for events like the WS.. A guy like Seattle’s Dave Sims who isn’t one of the obvious homer’s out there would be a great choice and much better than the cast trotted out there of a gambler, juicer and another many suspected of the same.
maybe one day the networks will realize it, tho my hopes are not up.
I hope you didn’t just accuse Frank Thomas of using PEDs. You *might* want to look up his very long and vocal opposition to them.
I hope all the sports writers who are younger than A-rod dont elect this clown to the HOF… the guy is a disgrace to the game…
Like all the other people in the hof that used peds? please…
I don’t know about A-Rod but someone should hire this Spokesperson guy. He clearly knows his stuff.
Well no sh*t
When his time comes, he’s going in to the HOF. There’s obviously a clear movement from the league itself, the media (who hired him) and the BB writers to rationalize the entire era. Fascinating.
He was really really really good at baseball. He would have been really really good at baseball without the peds
Yes, he was. You never know what drives some supremely talented players (like A-Rod and Bonds) to use when they already are so good. Without justifying the choice, I can see it with an older guy trying to hang on or come back from injury, and I can see it with a marginal talent trying to escape obscurity. But these guys (and there are more like them) I just don’t get. Maybe they just can’t stand the idea of anyone else using and putting up better numbers.
Thank You God for Small favors !
I was surprised how much I liked him as a commentator this offseason, although Pete Rose makes everyone around him look good.
Pete Rose would be the fourth best commentator on a panel featuring a toothless panhandler, everyone’s conspiracy theorist uncle, and a yipping shihtzu.
I’d watch that…sounds entertaining
he doesn’t get rave reviews as 3B and DH