Alex Rodriguez‘s status was already unclear because of the hip injury he’s battling, but a recent report linking the Yankees third baseman to performance-enhancing drugs has really clouded his future. Whatever Rodriguez’s future holds, though, it might not happen in the Bronx.
According to the New York Daily News, Rodriguez is unlikely to ever play for the Yankees again, no matter what happens regarding the new PED allegations.
Rodriguez, who still has a whopping five years and $114 million left on his contract, is recovering from hip surgery and was already expected to miss a good chunk of the 2013 season. Rodriguez is now back in the news after a report released by the Miami New Times on Tuesday listed the slugger as one of six MLB players connected to a PED-selling, anti-aging clinic in south Florida.
Many have speculated that the Yankees will look to void Rodriguez’s contract in the wake of the allegations, and perhaps it’s Rodriguez’s hip that will eventually rid New York of the controversial star and his unsavory contract.
The New York Daily News reports that the hip surgery Rodriguez is now recovering from will likely derail his playing career, leaving him in such a diminished role that he may consider a settlement or an outright retirement.
“I don’t know why he would want to go through the pain of rehabbing and trying to play up to the caliber of player he was, and come back to a game where nobody wants him,” a baseball official reportedly said. “If he did that, he’d be a part-time player and presumably unable to achieve any of the incentive clauses in the contract or even the milestones.”
As the Daily News points out, there are a few scenarios that could transpire regarding this whole A-Rod debacle. Rodriguez could be forced to retire as a result of his hip injury, which would enable the Yankees to collect 85 percent of the insurance on his contract. Rodriguez could also complete his rehab but ultimately decide to voluntarily retire upon returning, at which point there would be settlement talks between him and the organization.
As of right now, we’re all stuck in wait-and-see mode. Rodriguez, on the other hand, has plenty on his plate.
Have a question for Ricky Doyle? Send it to him via Twitter at @TheRickyDoyle or send it here.
