Brian Cashman: Alex Rodriguez couldn't live up to big contract
Yankees' Alex Rodriguez sits in the dugout in the third inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks in a baseball game at Yankee Stadium. (April 17, 2013) Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman, in a televised interview with ESPN's SportsCenter that aired Sunday, described Alex Rodriguez's 10 seasons with the Yankees as "complicated."
Rodriguez, currently rehabbing after hip surgery, is in the sixth year of a 10-year, $275-million contract that he signed after the 2007 season.
"It's something I think even Alex would tell you, he couldn't live up to that," Cashman said. "It's an enormous contract and I think that, I would say probably, he couldn't live up to it but he's doing everything he can to try to do so."
Cashman said he hopes Rodriguez returns to the Yankees as "an above-average" third baseman.
"Because that's what he's been for the last few years," Cashman said. "Once his injuries came into play with him, they may have taken away his ability to be a superstar. But he's still an above-average player at that position and hopefully that's what we're going to get."
A-Rod's time with the Yankees has included a World Series title in 2009, an MVP season and personal milestones such as his 500th and 600th home runs.
But he also has been at the center of several controversies, such as admitting his use of performance-enhancing drugs in the three years before joining the team. Earlier this year, he reportedly was linked to having received PEDs from Biogenesis, the now-defunct Miami anti-aging clinic. Rodriguez denied that and the Yankees have declined to comment while MLB investigates.
Swisher returns
Nick Swisher makes his return to Yankee Stadium Monday night for the first time since signing a four-year, $56-million deal with the Cleveland Indians in the off-season. He's now a first baseman, and Swisher's offensive numbers through 50 games with Cleveland (.264 average, .362 on-base percentage and .467 slugging percentage) are nearly identical to the stats (.268/.367/.483) he posted during his four years with the Yankees, mostly as an outfielder.
Trainer's room
Chris Stewart was scratched from the lineup after leaving Saturday night's game in the fifth inning because of dehydration. The Yankees said Stewart experienced similar symptoms during batting practice Sunday and sent him to New York Presbyterian for more tests.
