Report: Yankees could release A-Rod following Carlos Beltran trade
Cutting A-Rod could be the next phase of the team's youth movement
By
Mike Axisa
•
1 min read
Prior to Monday's trade deadline, we saw the Yankees do something they haven't done in more than a quarter-century: they sold. Aroldis Chapman, Andrew Miller, Carlos Beltran, and Ivan Nova were all traded to contenders for prospects.
As part of their sudden youth movement, the Yankees may also release Alex Rodriguez at some point in the second half, reports Peter Botte of the New York Daily News. From Botte:
While the more likely scenario still seems to be parting ways with A-Rod over the winter, a source familiar with the situation told the Daily News on Monday that there's a chance releasing the slumping DH "could happen" before the end of this season as part of the team's ongoing overhaul.
We've heard this before, though now the Beltran trade has changed the team's dynamic. The Yankees have already started the process of moving their veterans to make way for young players. A-Rod would be the next one to go, logically.
GM Brian Cashman made an appearance in the broadcast booth during the YES Network broadcast of Monday night's game, during which he mentioned top catching prospect Gary Sanchez could be called up as soon as Wednesday. That may have been an indication A-Rod's days are numbers for a few reasons:
- Brian McCann, the starting catcher, isn't going anywhere.
- Austin Romine has had a fine season as the backup catcher.
- The Yankees are playing interleague games in NL parks Monday and Tuesday, then return home Wednesday.
The Yankees have no reason to make a change behind the plate, and there's no need for a DH while in an interleague park, so calling up Sanchez right now makes no sense. He'll just sit on the bench. Come Wednesday, that could change. Releasing A-Rod frees up DH at-bats for Sanchez.
Where there's smoke, there's fire, and the fact there is so much talk about Rodriguez being released right now suggests it just might happen. He is only four homers away from 700 and perhaps the team wants to cash in on the milestone chase first. If not, A-Rod's days with the Yankees may be numbered.
