Brian Cashman unsure what to expect out of Alex Rodriguez
By Jason Rowan
New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman admitted it’s difficult for him to gauge exactly what the team should expect out of Alex Rodriguez in the 2016 MLB season.
With Rodriguez hitting the age of 40 last August and obviously the best years of his career well-behind him, Cashman acknowledged the Yankees need to take a wait-and-see approach when projecting just how productive the designated hitter can be next season.
“Alex, at this stage of his career, you just don’t know. I didn’t know what to expect from Alex this year and he was spectacular, one of the best, most productive DHs in the game and hopefully that can give us some comfort that we’ll see that again this year,” Cashman said on YES Network’s “Yankees Hot Stove” Monday, via NJ.com. “But at the same time, you’ve got to acknowledge that you don’t know what you’re going to see or what you’re going to get. But I do know one thing, he’s going to be working his tail off and he’s a threat at the plate every time he’s up there.”
Rodriguez for all intents and purposes enjoyed a relatively successful 2015 campaign. Coming off a one-year suspension, the slugger seemingly said and did all the right things throughout the season as he attempted to reintegrate himself back into the Yankees clubhouse. This included but wasn’t limited to handling his demotion to DH with class and reluctant acceptance, earning praise from skipper Joe Girardi in the process.
In other words, A-Rod seemed intent on not rocking the boat, as it were.
Meanwhile, Rodriguez had a relatively productive season at the plate as well. While his numbers paled in comparison to previous seasons, he nevertheless posted a triple-slash of .250/.356/.486 with 33 homers and 86 RBI, respectable numbers given his age, to be sure.
Given how easily he could have been a distraction last season, the Yankees had to be happy with what the team got out of Rodriguez. Whether he can replicate last year again this season remains to be seen.
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