NEW YORK -- The end of Alex Rodriguez's career has come quickly and abruptly. A week ago at this time he was a bench player, then, on Sunday, he and the Yankees announced he will play his final game Friday. It all came together very quickly.
After A-Rod plays his final game Friday, he will return home to Miami to be with his family, and fielding calls from other teams is not on the immediate agenda.
"Unless it's (Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner), I probably won't be answering the phone for anyone," said Rodriguez on Friday. "I need some rest, to kind of recover and reflect, and spend some time with my two little ones."
It's been reported the Marlins have "internally discussed" signing A-Rod after he is released following Friday's game, though that doesn't mean much. Most teams have "internally discussed" signing Rodriguez, and most presumably do not see the need for a DH who can no longer H.
A-Rod's value at this point is not as a player. It's as a marquee attraction. Fans want to see him -- and boo him -- and maybe watch as he tries to hit the four home runs he needs to become the fourth member of the 700-home run club. For now, Rodriguez is not looking to play for another club.
"I said on Sunday that my horizon is Friday and it still is," said A-Rod. "After all of this I'm going to need a long nap so I can recover. I'll see where life takes me, but right now, I value wearing this uniform and wearing the Yankees pinstripes is enough."
Of course, Rodriguez loves baseball deeply, which is why he accepted a special/adviser instructor role with the Yankees. He still believes he has quality baseball left in him -- that was very clear during Sunday's press conference -- and you can be sure he'll have the itch to play. An adviser role might not be enough.
It does take two to tango though. Which AL team needs a DH? Would A-Rod be willing to spend seven weeks in, say, Oakland so he can try to hit four more homers? Maybe! All signs seem to point to his playing career behind over, however. Starting Saturday, he'll transition to being a fan.
"I may have a couple cocktails tonight, so I may not wake up by game time tomorrow," joked A-Rod. "But I'll definitely watch Sunday's game."
