Second-half question: Less is more for Alex Rodriguez?
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Jul 11, 2011 
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Truth be told, the Yankees haven’t had their real cleanup hitter in about three weeks. Sure, Alex Rodriguez has been in the lineup, but he was collecting singles, and that’s not what Rodriguez does. That’s why the Yankees decided today’s surgery was necessary. The team sent an email this afternoon saying the procedure went as planned and Rodriguez’s initial rehabilitation will take place in Miami with Dr. Lee Kaplan, who performed the surgery.
“It seems like he was battling that knee for a little while, so I don’t really look at it as losing him,” Russell Martin said. “I feel like we’re just going to gain him back healthy later on in the season when it really counts.”
The initial indication was the Rodriguez could have postponed the surgery until the offseason. He could have taken a chance on the knee staying healthy enough to play, and he could have tried to contribute with base hits instead of home runs. Is a shortened season with a full-strength A-Rod better than a full season with a lesser version? The Yankees have to trust that the answer is, yes. The tradeoff will be this next month or so without him.
“There are very few people that can put up the numbers that Alex does and play third base,” Joe Girardi said. “It’s difficult to replace. You just have to collectively find a way to get it done without him.”
It’s a tough pill to swallow, but the Yankees are trusting that they’ll be better because of it in the end.
Associated Press photo
The second season has always been what it is about in NYC, and a single-hitting Alex is not acceptable if we are to have a chance in the play-offs.
a-rod carryed the yankees in the 2009 stretch and playoffs
we will need the same this yr
There’s little to suggest that the competition in the AL will be good enough to keep the Yankees and Red Sox from making the postseason. I think that’s true even with Rodriguez missing a month. The Yankees and Rodriguez are doing the smart thing in addressing this now.
As long as the Yankees don’t curl up into a ball and all collectively pull a slump while Arod is out, we should be fine.
It’s up to Cano and Texeria to pick up the slack in the interim. Both are uber talented and in their prime.
If we get a healthy, powerful Arod back in August and we’re still in the post season equation it will be the shot of adrenaline the team will need at that point in the season.
I like Nunez. I’d like to see if Laird can do something up here too. Otherwise, Cashman will have a replacement 3b before you know it. It won’t be another Arod, but it will be something good. Keppinger, Wiggington would be excellent types to fill in and keep on the roster for the rest of the season if their prices aren’t too ridiculous. I’d stay away from Kouzmanoff though.
Bojo (above) said it all. Get him ready for October.
I said it earlier, but I’m really glad Alex decided to go ahead and have the surgery. He definitely hadn’t been playing like himself the past couple of weeks.
BloggingBombers Judging by the questions I’m hearing at media day, Jeter is going to take some lumps for not being here. #AllStarGame #MLB
Seriosly??
LGY July 11th, 2011 at 1:31 pm
He has tax liability if it’s compensation for the ball How owes nothing (though the Yanks might) if it’s a gift Since he says he didn’t ask for anything, it can easily be argued that it’s a gift
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I don’t think this is accurate.
Milestone HR balls are a controversial subject in tax law.
Some people believe just catching the ball is a taxable event.
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I would disagree with those people. Catching the ball could not create a taxable event. There is nothing to tax until the ball is exchanged for something of value. I would contend that there may be a gift tax issue here, which the Yankees would be responsible to pay – not Lopez as the recipient.
JackCurryYES Jeter was confident/stubborn on road to 3000 and will remain so in fight with Father Time. http://t.co/HwukBfa
PeterBotte Jeter gets ripped for not going to A-S Game just to hear cheers. Of course, A-Rod would get ripped for going to ASG just to hear cheers.
SamBorden Honestly, I don’t get anyone being upset Jeter isn’t at ASG. He’s getting ripped for not flying 2000 miles to let other people cheer him?
edit- “seriously”
I’ve been hanging around GB too much again.
Erin – During the NL half of press day that just ended… some loser in the back row got up, all hunched over… asking the woman from the Angels if she “thought those players that were selected had a responsibility to be there”. She asked who he was referring to (as in someone on the DL) and he mumbled “Like Derek Jeter”… put this frowny face on and sat back down. She dodged the question and moved on.
Must have been a proud moment for him.
As a Yankee fan I love that guys on our team pulled out of the ASG to rest up for the 2nd half. Their eyes are on the prize. Let Boston send their whole roster there to be celebrated.
And Washington better not use Robbie for more than an innings. I’m hoping he quick hooks him and does his matchup nonsense and lets him throw to a batter tops.
If Washington manages the game like he usually does, the game should take about 9 hours to complete with all the pitching changes.
And Washington better not use Robbie for more than an innings
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Doubt Cano sees more than 2 AB’s. Maybe only one since he’s hitting 8th. Probably means about 5 innings in the field.
Erin
Everyone boos when they heard that Jeter got voted as a starter, they say oh its just a popularity contest when it should be the best in the game. He backs out and they give him garbage for backing out. Media needs to make up its mind.
Buster Olney is the leader of the boo club, in regards to his tweets about the matter it seems he his HIGHLY offended that anyone dare to not go. He is quite annoying.
Funny thing is that countless people thought Jeter had no business being in the All-star game this year, yet when he’s not there he’s getting killed for it. Damned if you do……..
I would disagree with those people. Catching the ball could not create a taxable event. There is nothing to tax until the ball is exchanged for something of value. I would contend that there may be a gift tax issue here, which the Yankees would be responsible to pay –not Lopez as the recipient.
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The ball in itself can be viewed as having value and therefore I believe the logic for taxing it would stem from treasure trove cases.
The ball having value could also lead to taxing Lopez for it as s gift to Jeter.
Irreverent Discourse July 11th, 2011 at 2:26 pm
Erin ? During the NL half of press day that just ended? some loser in the back row got up, all hunched over? asking the woman from the Angels if she ?thought those players that were selected had a responsibility to be there?. She asked who he was referring to (as in someone on the DL) and he mumbled ?Like Derek Jeter?? put this frowny face on and sat back down. She dodged the question and moved on.
Must have been a proud moment for him.
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LOL
This whole thing is so ridiculous.
PeterBotte Really love that one of the potential Clemens trial jurors is named Jeter. Now if we can just find a DC plumber named Piazza.
ty and Mell-exactly. It’s funny- usually it’s Alex that finds himself in those “damned if you do…” situations. But I guess there’s still time for somebody to get offended because he didn’t wait until Wednesday to get surgery so he could attend the ASG.
Depending on when he gets back Alex’ streak of 13 straight seasons of 30 + HR and 100+ RBI is in jeopardy. Perhaps serious jeopardy.
Yanks need to make a move because they already could have used a RH bat and now that is a very serious need.
No matter what Jeter did, some would think he was wrong. I understand that fans would be disappointed about Jeter not attending the ASG. However, he did just return from the DL. And if he was there, it would turn into the Jeter show. This way all the All Stars can have their day in the sun.
LGY, I’d be interested to see how this plays out. My colleagues and I have discussed it and don’t believe there is a tax consequence here under these circumstances.
Granderson is leading off tomorrow.
Cano is 8th
Bronx Jeers July 11th, 2011 at 2:42 pm
Granderson is leading off tomorrow.
Cano is 8th
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Old news. Get with the program, Bronx Jeers.
The Yankees currently have 5 off days after the ASB-28th July,8th and 22nd August, 8th and 15th September, with two DH’s-the 30th July and 27th August.
They need to address the bench which currently exists of Jones and Pena.
They need another quality reliever. The bullpen will be taxed.
They need to have a better backup option for Martin, who needs more off days.
Chavez-Is the recurrent backache due to disc disease or recurrent kidney stones?
Soriano-Not confident even if healthy, for return to 2010 form
Feliciano-Done
Marte-Probably done and has done nothing except strike out Howard and Utley in WS.
Jones-Goodbye
BrianCostaWSJ Boras confirms K-Rod has hired him. Strongly indicated he will not accept deal to team on no-trade list if it means being setup man.
TylerKepner Funniest part of media day, so far: Cliff Lee being asked to say “I like baseball” in Chinese.
I don’t comment very much on this site but I wanted to put my 2 cents into this surgery. I’ve had a torn meniscus in both my knees and it’s not so much painfuly as it is uncomfortable. There is literally nothing you can do to relieve the discomfort. Sometimes the knee will swell up, but very rarely is there any real pain. That being said, I can understand why he’s had trouble driving the ball. The recovery for this is very quick and I’d be hard pressed to see a world class athlete like Alex be out for more than 4 weeks. I was walking after 1 day with no crutches, and back playing baseball (first base and right field) in 4 weeks after one of my surgeries. If I, a normal every day Joe who is athletic but by now means a pro athlete, can come back that fast, Alex can. This is a good thing that he’s getting the surgery now.
CC_Sabathia CC Sabathia Doesn’t Want the First Half to End http://fb.me/KKHjcXb7
Depending on when he gets back Alex’ streak of 13 straight seasons of 30 + HR and 100+ RBI is in jeopardy. Perhaps serious jeopardy
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It was in jeopardy before the news of his knee. Now? It’ll be exceedingly difficult. He may have to reenact his April 2007 (14 homers, 34 RBI) to have any kind of shot.
I still do not put any faith in the guesstimates put on Alex’s return date. 4-6 weeks versus 3-4 weeks versus other guesses. If Alex is or isn’t using PRP procedure to speed recovery…how much rehab needed..etc.
My guess is we’ll see him in early August and that he will still make he 30/100 numbers once healthy. This man can light it up in a hurry.
Old news. Get with the program, Bronx Jeers.
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I’m still confused about why that guy wants to read about ARod getting a kidney taken out.
I think I need more coffee.
DRob30 We’re fiiiinally here! http://lockerz.com/s/119251170
ASG lineups:
Granderson CF
Cabrera SS
Gonzalez 1B
Bautista RF
Hamilton LF
Beltre 3B
Ortiz DH
Cano 2B
Avila C
Weaver, SP
Weeks 2B
Beltran DH
Kemp CF
Fielder 1B
McCann C
Berkman RF
Holliday LF
Tulowitzki SS
Rolen 3B
I would swap Cabrera and Cano…
Camaroon-thanks for your perspective on the surgery.
I like Jeter, but let’s be real. He had a calf injury. He returned and went 5-5 on Saturday, a bomb for #3000, and two stolen base attempts. He bunted for a hit on Sunday. He isn’t hurt. He could go. He just wanted to take a vacation with Minka. It is what it is.
# Camaroon July 11th, 2011 at 2:45 pm
I don’t comment very much on this site but I wanted to put my 2 cents into this surgery. I’ve had a torn meniscus in both my knees and it’s not so much painfuly as it is uncomfortable. There is literally nothing you can do to relieve the discomfort. Sometimes the knee will swell up, but very rarely is there any real pain. That being said, I can understand why he’s had trouble driving the ball. The recovery for this is very quick and I’d be hard pressed to see a world class athlete like Alex be out for more than 4 weeks. I was walking after 1 day with no crutches, and back playing baseball (first base and right field) in 4 weeks after one of my surgeries. If I, a normal every day Joe who is athletic but by now means a pro athlete, can come back that fast, Alex can. This is a good thing that he’s getting the surgery now.
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what I’ve been saying..this isn’t a big deal very common surgery
Erin-
Not surprised about K-Rod with Boras as his agent. Don’t suspect many contending teams need a closer at that price.
New Post- Second-half question: Was Soriano worth it?
New Post—->
Jeter did the right thing not going, this is not his year. I am excited to see what Nunez can do while Arod is out. If Nunez is batting around 300 and Jeter is around 200 does Nunez get some of Jeters playing time towards the post season?