Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Ode to A-Rod
To trade or not to trade?
That is the question general manager Brian Cashman has asked himself about the future of Alex Rodriguez.
A-Rod, the defending American League MVP winner, is having a very un-MVP like season. His fielding performance and offensive production have become the laughing stock of New York.
Acquired back in 2004 for Alfonso Soriano and some cash, A-Rod was moved to third base for the first time since the 2001 All-Star Game.
Third base, or the hot corner, has always been statistically the worst base to field having a claim to fame of owning the highest error rate through out the history of baseball; this year A-Rod leads the category.
His fielding of routine ground balls is near comical to Bill Buckner and his wild throws makes Chuck Knoblauch look like a marksman.
Let's not forget about his hitting, or lack of it.
As a defending MVP, you are expected to repeat that winning season, or even better it, not slip into a batting slump and strike out four times a game.
His home run count ranks second for the Yankees, far off from his usual top five in the majors.
A-Rod wakes up in the morning to the boos of his alarm clock and the hissing of his frying pan.
His ride to work is just as uneventful with cabbies, chauffeurs and passing pedestrians all having their fair share in the outcasting.
He is greeted by his batting coach for a long six-hour session only to become useless during the 7:05 night game as he forget how to swing the bat.
He takes the field and gets booed, he throws the ball away and gets booed, he steps up the plate and gets booed, then he strikes out and gets booed. His face is seen on the scoreboard and gets booed.
No wonder why opposing fans cheer him when he comes up to bat, free outs!
But the question for the day is, trade, or not to trade?
The Yankees can afford it financially, and I'm pretty sure then can statistically.
The name he has forged throughout his illustrious career will definitely raise some GM eyebrows and may even give up some star pitchers. But I doubt it.
Don't take me wrong, the only reason why I am making this post is to have all of you make your decisions.
So I ask you...
...trade, or not to trade?
Don't forget about our 100 BE caption contest!
Posted by Steve Kenul at 6:15 PM
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