STICKING A-ROUND
GM: We’re not going to cut Rodriguez
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Their DNA hasn’t changed even if the talent level over the years isn’t what it used to be when future Hall of Famers dotted the roster and trumped mere All-Stars.
The Yankees, 6 ½ games off the pace in a crowded AL East field, still harbor belief they are a winning streak away from pulling tight and wouldn’t be embarrassed if their entrance to October is through one of the two AL wild-card doors for a second consecutive season.
The Yankees were four lengths back of the Red Sox for the second wild-card ticket Thursday, when they were off in front of a threegame series against the morbid Rays starting Friday at Tropicana Field.
Hal Steinbrenner’s belief that those dreams can come true are bolstered by the recent play of his club that took three of four from the AL Central-leading Indians before the All Star break and the AL East-leading Orioles after the break. In addition, the 52-49 Yankees copped two of three from the NL West-leading, if not sliding, Giants and two of three from the Astros, who are in the hunt for the AL West lead.
Yet, while the Yankees and manager Joe Girardi attempt to inch their way closer to October the person who is gone isn’t as damaging as the one who remains. Aspirin throwing Aroldis Chapman was dealt to the Cubs on Monday. Alex Rodriguez hasn’t gotten off the bench since last Friday.
His presence, and a .206 batting average to go with a .620 OPS overall, have turned the 41-year-old into a hood ornament four homers away from the 700 mark. He hasn’t hit, can’t play the field, requires a home run to score from first when he does get on base and is a lifetime .222 (6-for-27) pinch hitter, who is 1-for-3 this year playing in a league that rarely has to hit for the pitcher.
So, Girardi essentially has managed short for a week while trying to win games. He is doing the right thing by using switch-hitter Carlos Beltran as the DH to keep his 39-year-old body from breaking down or the club’s best bat from becoming fatigued. Aaron Hicks is an out at the plate, but the combination of Hicks in right and Beltran the DH is better than Rodriguez the DH and Beltran in right.
Ninety-nine percent of the time a player in Rodriguez’s situation would have been jettisoned long ago. But Rodriguez is owed roughly $7 million the rest of this year and $21 million in 2017, and swallowing $28 million would likely make Hal Steinbrenner, an admitted disciple of spread sheets, gag.
“That is a conversation the media and fans have,’’ general manager Brian Cashman said when asked Thursday if at some point the voices in charge of the club will talk about releasing Rodriguez, who is fourth on the game’s all-time home run list. “It’s a conversation that is not taking place in the front office.’’
If the Yankees won’t release Rodriguez or stuff him into the “Carl Pavano Memorial MRI Tube,’’ which would certainly find a defective body part and lead to a disabled-list stint even though Rodriguez insists he feels fine, Girardi will have to manage short until the rosters expand on Sept. 1.
“Every year there are [roster] constraints to deal with. The roster is never perfect and you never have perfect flexibility,’’ Cashman said. “You aspire to be perfect but there are constraints every year.’’