The New York Yankees have two players on the roster who have said this week that they would like to remain on the team after their deals end. Both Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez would like to remain Yankees for life, but realistically they can only keep one. One is a full-time designated hitter, while the other is rapidly approaching the position.
Rodriguez will enter the 2016 season as the Yankees’ designated hitter, a position he played well last season, which also rejuvenated his career. His 33 home runs and 86 RBIs were his best since 2010, when he was 35 years old. Now, he’s halfway to 41 years and will play as long as his body holds up.
He truly is one of the best hitters of this generation. Rodriguez is just 75 home runs away from tying Barry Bonds’ record of 762. It is something the Yankees will definitely keep in mind, as they look to have one of their own on top again. If he keeps at the same pace, he would break the record in a little over two seasons, or right around his 43rd birthday.
One problem is that his contract ends after the 2017 season. The Yankees would have to sign him to an extension, or go on a year-by-year basis, which could get hairy, especially as he approaches the home run record. Plus, Rodriguez and the Yankees don’t have the best relationship, even though it is much better than in years past.
Teixeira will enter the season as the starting first baseman, without Greg Bird breathing down his neck. Bird is the heir after putting up strong numbers while Teixeira missed the last few months of 2015 with a fractured leg. He is the future first baseman, leaving Teixeira the odd man out next year.
But he does want to remain in pinstripes and could serve as a designated hitter, who still has some power left. He hit 31 home runs and drove in 79 runs, while missing 51 games last year. Teixeira hasn’t had a fully healthy season since 2011, which leaves him as an injury risk. He would be pretty valuable though as insurance to Bird, and could mentor him further.
Unfortunately there is not enough room on the future roster to keep both, which makes for a difficult decision. Do you keep the player who’s in his 40s and approaching one of the greatest milestones or do you keep the younger player who is injury-prone?
Both have had their ups and downs with the Yankees. Rodriguez had the whole PED scandal and ownership against him, but somehow miraculously changed everyone’s opinion. Now he is beloved amongst fans and teammates, leaving him as the unofficial face of the franchise. Teixeira has been generally liked since he came over in 2009, but fans have become frustrated with his injuries. A good, healthy season will change minds, leaving the Yankees with a tough choice.
