ARod Says He'll Be A Yankee In 2013

Just like a bull after a trip to Taco Bell, most media members are full of "it".

Contradicting an earlier report that Alex Rodriguez would be open to a trade, meaning he wouldn't use his no trade clause and 10-5 rights to shoot down a deal if one were made, Alex said he plans to "be back" next season.

I don't think ARod is "done" as a player. No, he won't live up to the $28 million he'll make next season, nor will he live up to the salary he'll make in each of the next 5 years, but I believe he'll be a useful player. While his bat has certainly slowed down some, I don't believe he's forgotten how to be a good hitter.

At this point people may pull out the "steroids" thing, but the flaw I see in such thinking is that not anybody can take steroids or any other performance enhancing drug and be an MVP candidate in Major League Baseball. There has to be a certain level of skill involved to hit .300 and make good enough contact with a ball to hit 30+ home runs. So when it comes to not taking a PED to enhance that skill I think it's more a matter of tweaking things, rather than saying he can't be productive with out them.

"We don't need no stinkin' steroids... I mean badges!"

What I liked best about what Rodriguez had to say regarding returning next season was this...

"I have a lot to prove."

That tells me he has the right attitude about things about the future. He's not going to whine and cry about the Bleacher Creatures getting on his case. In fact, Alex said the booes he received throughout the playoffs from Yankee fans was well warranted. 

I'm not going to expect him to bat .300/.400/.600 with 40 home runs next year, but I don't think a season with a line of .280/.360/.470 with 25 home runs is out the question.