I hate to even bring up things like this because I have a
tendency of being right for whatever reason but what would the New York Yankees
do if Alex Rodriguez retired this winter rather than returning to the club in
2016? The last time I made one of these “worst case scenario” posts I wondered
what the Yankees would do if Robinson Cano walked via free agency and most of
the Core Four retired, and they did, so what if lighting strikes twice? Will it
be a blessing in disguise for the Yankees or will it be the straw that already
broke the camel’s back in 2016?
First and foremost the man jumping up and down the most,
well besides former Commissioner of Major League Baseball Bud Selig, if Alex
announced his retirement would be Greg Bird. Bird seems like the odd man out in
the Bronx right now assuming Mark Teixeira comes back fully and healthy after
fracturing a bone in his shin earlier this season. The man jumping up the
second highest, but not too high I hope, is Carlos Beltran who could be
penciled into the full-time DH position allowing the Yankees the roster flexibility
to sign a Justin Upton or another right-handed outfield option. Seeing Alex
retire, as much as it would bother me as a fan, may be the best thing to happen
to the team as long as Hal Steinbrenner is willing to reinvest that money he is
owed.
Speaking of the money owed to Rodriguez for the 2016 and
2017 season, and someone correct me if I’m wrong, the Yankees DH and former
third baseman would still be entitled to that money whether he steps foot on
the baseball diamond or not. The Yankees have insurance on the contract so they
may be able to recoup around 80% of that, I’m honestly not sure how that works
exactly, but at minimum the team is eating 20% of a huge amount of money. Hal,
using the bottom line as a mindset, would not be able to reinvest that money
per se as it would still be on the books for two more seasons.
If Alex were to retire in the winter of 2015 Alex would be
able to do it in true Alex fashion, at least prior to 2015. Alex would shock
the baseball world, Alex would leave the fans with yet another reason to hate
him and he would leave behind a trillion questions and a media circus. It’s
unlikely that Alex retires, he has stated in years past that he wants to pass
Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth and Barry Bonds on the all-time home run list, but if he
did he would definitely change the whole face of the winter before 2016 and the
2016 New York Yankees.
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Sorry for the Capatcha... Blame the Russians :)