Thought you might enjoy this. Here's part of his most recent journal entry posted three days ago on A-Rod's personal Web site.
"After we were eliminated on Saturday, the media asked me a lot of questions regarding my future in New York -- whether I want to leave, or if I will be traded, etc. I will tell you what I told them: I am 100 percent committed to being a Yankee now and in the future. I don't want to play anywhere else. I never have (and never will) run away from the responsibility I have to this team. I believe I am part of the solution to winning a championship here. I want to finish my career in New York."
Comments (8)
Alex Rodriguez is just one part of the Yankees.
Once you fans out there realize that, then you won't be so bothered by his failures and maybe then you won't boo him.
Just leave him alone, let him do his thing. Once you do, then he'll be more successful for us.
He could have gone 16 for 16 with 10 home runs in the Tigers series and they'd still would have lost.
Just accept him the way he is and you'll do not only the Yankees a favor but yourselves as well.
I agree that A-ROD is the best player in baseball, but that makes trading him the best way to fill pitching and offensive needs on this team. Cashman should get Aramis Ramirez, trade A-ROD, and enjoy the approaching holidays.
If the Yanks do indeed trade A-Rod this offseason, they had better get a frontline starter in return in that deal.
Trading A-Rod for another 3rd Baseman wouldn't make any sense at all A-Rod is still the among the best in MLB.
If I'm the Yanks, I would want Carlos Zambrano in a deal to the Cubs, but there is no way they are going to trade away their best pitcher when they don't have any other pitchers worth a damn right now.
Not only that, but A-Rod has to approve any deal and I don't see him approving a deal and going to the team that sported the worst record in the NL this past season.
If, I were the Yankee GM. I would be thrilled that A-rod expressed his total commitment to the team. Yes, his performance in the playoffs has been sickly at best but the potential to explode is very healthy. A-rod's trade would provide a very small piece to the puzzle. And this piece could break during the season. Pitchers are fragile as we well know. If, I were GM. I would think twice about trading a guy who helped my team get to the playoffs with a subpar .290 BA, 35 Hrs and 121 RBI's. I did say "subpar" season. If, I were GM and knew other teams were desparate for A-rod. I would listen of course but few of them would give us what we need.
If, I were GM and watched the Tigers young pitchers dismantle my team. I would work on better scouting of prospects or FA for possible signings and drop the old tired dead wood veterans and run with the youngsters. Have a liitle more faith with kids at the AAA and AA level. Nice young arms watched so they are not over extended. If, I were GM my desire for the makeup of A-rod and Joe Torre would be very well known. I might even get the talks rolling.These guys are not hard heads. We don't need hitting. In fact I loved to replace Sheffield with a lesser ego like Wilson, Guiel or Thompson. Let him go to the Red Sox. They have less pitching than us and hold onto the dollar like it was their last.
I have no control over the fans and how they react to A-rod but I let them know, he's staying get use to it. And look at his stats over the last three years. Sure not impressive in the playoffs but these are quality teams with quality pitchers. It would be more productive to support A-rod if you really are objective about achieving ring number 27. The whole team stopped hitting not just A-rod. Also, If I were GM and had my favorite shortstop, the best yankee shortstop and captain that I ever saw reacting indifferent to A-rods situation. I might have a quiet conversation with him and ask him to bury the hatchet, make the guy to the right of you feel differently about his status with you. It may bring about some assistance in achieving ring number 5. Its not about stats in my eye. Its about good ballplayers which we have meshing together as a team. Thus providing the chemistry to fullfill the objective which in NY is one thing. Its collecting rings as often as possible not every seven years or so.
Well said.
Good post, Larry.
Trade him for a young stud pitcher and a hitter.
The Yanks will win the division with or without ARod. Get rid of the constant media attention, it divides the clubhouse and takes attention from play on the field. It's not ARod's fault but he's become a soap opera. He is the baseball version of Terrell Owens (though he's not a pompous a-hole).
It's not going to end and it has to.
If the Yanks can get good young talent back, do the deal. Like I said the Yanks should win the division with or without him so why not?
A-rod is only one part of the problem. First he does not play with any fire. He makes all the money and gets all the attention. A-rod is the best player in baseball when the team is down by 6 or more or up by 6 or more. The younger players have more to play for. Trade him for a good start and a young bat. We need another Pauley!