New York Yankees 3B Alex Rodriguez, the magnet of much public infamy, has once again admitted to steroid use, this time privately to the DEA, according to the Miami Herald. The question is though, do we really care anymore?
It’s a story that’s been discussed to death: “Steroids in Baseball.” A lightning-rod of a story which has had more legs than anything we’ve witnessed in recent memory. Now though, over two decades in, the sport has changed and in all likelihood A-Rod will be the last big-fish to go down in flames.
He lied to everybody, again. However it’s nothing that other guys haven’t done. Remember the lies Rafael Palmeiro, Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa pulled in front of Congress over a decade ago? Palmeiro flagrantly pointed his finger at congress during his web of lies after they trashed our coveted MLB record books.
The point is, we’re all sick of it and want to turn a new leaf.
Baseball’s rigorous drug-testing has turned the game into a new era. Power numbers are down and pitching is once again dominant. Baltimore Orioles slugger Nelson Cruz lead the majors in HR’s with a meager 40, notes MLB.com. Could you image Barry Bonds hitting 40 to lead the league 15 years ago?
While the play on the diamond has turned, the media attention still lingers, and we need help from the Yankees to cure it.
Instead of focusing on the lies and deceit on the part of Rodriguez, we should instead focus our intentions to the Yankees, asking ourselves why Rodriguez is still in baseball.
Why have the Yankees not bought A-Rod out?
The obvious first-reason is putting fannies in the seats. With the retirement of Derek Jeter, A-Rod is undoubtedly now their main attraction for 2015. This team has very little star-power (although it should), and they’ll need that boost for which A-Rod brings.
Production is another key element. While the 39-year-old is not the same super-star baseball is used to seeing, he can still provide 15-20 HR’s, 60-80 RBI’s in 120 games or so on a good year. In 2012 he smashed 18 HR’s for the club. Play like that would be a welcomed addition for the Yanks.
The negatives however, far outweigh the minute positives.
Yes, to buy out Rodriguez would cost a fortune, a $61 million fortune. But that’s a fortune this ball club is capable of and should be willing to put up. It would instantly prove credibility throughout the baseball world, and rid themselves of the constant drama they’ll have to deal with for however long A-Rod wants to stick around.
Rodriguez is, and represents exactly the type of player the Yankees have crushed their own franchise with. Instead of building a solid foundation of youth, they’ve brought in older, overpaid players on the back-nine of their careers. For a team that needs a new identity, or direction, getting rid of A-Rod is that perfect starting point.
It is a not a question of hurting your own franchise to prove a point. Instead, it’s actually fetches a double reward. While helping the game of baseball, the New York Yankees would also officially start that new franchise direction they so desperately need.