Yankees designated hitter Alex Rodriguez can’t run, can’t hit right-handers, and can’t play the field.
But the 40-year-old isn’t planning to leave the game, even if his next position is on the bench.
According to a report from FanRag Sports’ Jon Heyman, the chances of Rodriguez taking a buyout from the Yankees, who owe him $20 million both this season and in 2017, are at zero, as is the possibility of Rodriguez retiring early, per the report:
He doesn’t need the money. People close to Rodriguez say he’s doing extremely well financially, and while there has been a reversal or two in real estate, it’s hard to imagine he isn’t quite wealthy. Beyond that, he is dating a billionaire, the ex-wife of a Google founder who’s made plenty herself. He may have a nice life away from this hallowed field, but he isn’t close to being ready to cash out.
“He would never retire early. He would never take a buyout,” a friend of A-Rod’s said. “You can nip that (idea) in the bud right now.”
Much like the Yankees’ season, Rodriguez has straddled the line between success and mediocrity, with a .219 batting average that is a far cry from a renaissance campaign of 33 home runs and 87 RBI that came only a year ago. But if New York wanted to break up the marriage by any means necessary, a buyout or early retirement isn’t the only solution.
Based on statistics alone, owner Hal Steinbrenner could elect to cut Rodriguez, but not only would money be eaten to the Yankees’ most expensive star, Rodriguez would also be without a home, sitting on a couch rather than the bench. Another choice could be to trade him, but again, the odds of any team taking on the money and attention that Rodriguez brings are slim.
The Yankees only want to see results, and if Rodriguez has no interest in parting ways with New York by the time his contract expires, progress is the one and only stipulation for his name to stay on the active roster.
