Brian Cashman doesn't see A-Rod as everyday third baseman
Yankees' Alex Rodriguez reads a statement to the media along side Yankees general manager Brian Cashman after arriving at George Steinbrenner Field for spring training on Feb. 17, 2009. Credit: AP
Brian Cashman chose his words carefully Tuesday about his expectations for Alex Rodriguez in 2015. But they basically boiled down to this: Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.
Cashman is operating under the assumption that A-Rod won't be able to play every day at third base and will seek alternatives, which he first enunciated Oct. 10 when he discussed his three-year extension as Yankees general manager.
"If I signed or traded for a third baseman, then that would be my third baseman," Cashman said on Day 2 of the general managers meetings at the Arizona Biltmore. "Right now, I don't have that. I have somebody who can play that in [Martin] Prado. He can play second, third and outfield, but I'm not here to state the Yankees have their definitive third baseman for 2015."
So if Cashman signs Chase Headley, one of the club's own free agents and a top target, or trades for one, that player will be the everyday starter. Period.
Speaking of Rodriguez, Cashman said: "You have the whole spectrum, from minimal contributions to significant contributions. We are certainly hoping for significant contributions, but I think when you [go] through the process from a general manager's standpoint, you enter that process with the expectations low and hoping for the best.
"But I don't think I can bank for our fan base on the significant contributions and count on it and be surprised if it's not there. I think that would be the wrong approach from the chair I sit in."
On Tuesday, Joe Girardi said he would welcome Headley back.
"He really shored up our defense on that side and played a great third base," Girardi said in the Great Hall at Yankee Stadium, where he participated with David Cone and Yankees broadcasters Michael Kay, John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman in a Veterans Day event to put together care packages for U.S. troops. "He grinded out at-bats. He had some big hits for us and showed an extreme amount of toughness and was great in the clubhouse."
Girardi said he has been in touch this offseason with Rodriguez, coming off a one-season suspension for his involvement in the Biogenesis scandal. A-Rod was in the news again recently for reportedly admitting to federal agents last January a more extensive past of using performance-enhancing drugs.
Girardi has had preliminary talks with Rodriguez about taking grounders at first base in the spring. Girardi said he might visit him during the offseason and that he isn't concerned about what awaits A-Rod when and if he arrives at spring training.
"We live in a forgiving world in the sports world," Girardi said. "His job, his main concern, just has to be getting prepared to play and just doing his job."
Cashman said his uncertainty regarding A-Rod is based on common sense. He turns 40 in July, and his body has shown signs of breaking down for at least the last five seasons.
"[It] has nothing to do with devaluing Alex or disrespecting Alex, it's just a fair assessment of the unknown,'' Cashman said. "Can't quantify the unknown right now until you get him out there on a consistent basis to see if he can actually remain on the field, stay healthy and be productive and be that middle of the lineup threat and force that we've all come to see in years gone by.''
There's always the possibility that Rodriguez, who spent time on the disabled list in each season from 2007-13, will decide he just can't play anymore and retires before the season. If he did, that could enable the Yankees, via insurance, to collect 80 percent of the $61 million they owe him over the next three seasons.
But the only known as of now with A-Rod is the unknown.
"The hope is he can provide offensive value, that's the biggest part of his game his entire career,'' Cashman said. "He's always been a good defender, too, but obviously the offense is key.
"I just don't know what to expect from him. You hope that he can contribute in a significant way, but we'll have to wait and see how that plays out. But in the meantime, I have to look for whatever ways to improve the club and discuss those with ownership.''
With Anthony Rieber in New York
Erik Boland started in Newsday's sports department in 2002. He covered high school and college sports, then shifted to the Jets beat. He has covered the Yankees since 2009.
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