Can we -- Yankee and MLB fans -- already visualize ourselves saying in the middle of the season: 'Who would of thunk Alex Rodriguez would've saved the 2013 Yankee season'.
I notice how all of us, including me, won't even discuss Rodriguez in the 2013 season; as if he's no longer with the team. Forgetting to realize that it isn't impossible for him to return and still make a big impact.
You know A-Rod wants to redeem himself, after what happened last year's debacle in the postseason. He'll love to shut everyone up by taking the Yankees back to the World Series. And can't he? A-Rod is the reason why the Yankees have won one championship in the past thirteen years. Without A-Rod in '09, who knows if the Yankees would've beaten the Minnesota Twins. I know C.C Sabathia was great in that '09 run -- but who had the clutch hits through that entire postseason...
Even though, if Rodriguez does return in the middle of this season, he won't hit like he did in '09; he won't hit 30 homeruns and drive in 100 ribbies in 124 games. That A-Rod is over. But can he hit 18-20 meaningful homeruns? Absolutely, he can. Last year, he played in 122 games and hit 18 homers with 57 RBIs. Those 18 homeruns look pretty good now, with this frail-power Yankee lineup.
2 Things Need To Happen For Alex Rodriguez To Make Major Comeback:
1) Health
It all matters if A-Rod's healthy. Remember: Last two seasons he missed a lot games. Was it because of that barking hip and he didn't tell anyone? We don't know. But now, we do know, he's got a new surgically repaired hip. He should be 100% healthy. And if this new hip doesn't -- at least -- help him turn the bat fluently through the ball as normally capable of, then retirement should be in the thought process of Rodriguez. There's no hope, after that.
2) Motivation
If A-Rod's mind is right, and he's eager to whoop ass when he returns -- watch out. Steroids or no steroids, A-Rod became one of the greatest right-handed hitters in the past twenty years for a reason. His work ethic and drive is out of this world. And if he's healthy and motivated -- can you say: 2009.
Yankee fans never want to admit this -- but we need A-Rod back this season, if we're gonna be any good. Even if he's not the old A-Rod, he brings a presence to the lineup. Because teams know he can still he a bomb any point. Any pitcher who doesn't fear A-Rod in a big spot, is lying through their fucking teeth.
When A-Rod spoke to the media at last year's postseason elimination, he pretty much guaranteed he'll back with a vengeance...
