RADIO
With spring training in full bloom the main interest circus at the Yankees camp in Tampa is none other than Alex Rodriguez. Even coming off his year-long suspension for violating MLB’s PED policy, Rodriguez is really the only box-office draw the Yankees have right now with the retirement of Derek Jeter last season.
Other than the questions fired at him about his suspension, very little has been asked of him about how well he will perform in 2015. Unlike the beloved Derek Jeter, Rodriguez has little if any fan love or sympathy at this point. This at least gives Girardi some flexibility in benching him if he doesn’t produce.
So what should the Yankees expect from Rodriguez? He hasn’t faced game pitching in a season and a half, and he’s going to be 40 by mid-season (July, 27). More than likely he’ll play very little in the field due to his age and injury concerns and will more than likely DH most of the time.
So what is realistic, statistically speaking for A-Rod? Hard to tell. It’s probably better to set a range that will keep him in the line-up regularly, and put fans in the seats. Hitting north of .270 with 20 or so home runs will likely do the trick, but we shall see if the former MVP has anything left in the tank.
