Yankees DH Alex Rodriguez and the club announced yesterday that he will play his final game Friday and then transition to a new role as a special advisor and instructor, reporting to Yankees Managing General Partner Hal Steinbrenner. The creation of the new role was originally conceived by Steinbrenner, presented to Rodriguez during the middle of last week and finalized over a series of meetings between the two. Following Friday’s home game against the Rays, Rodriguez will be unconditionally released by the Yankees, and then is scheduled to begin the new advisory role during Spring Training next year. Rodriguez and the club made the announcement prior to yesterday’s home game against the Indians in a press conference attended by numerous players and coaches and Yankees General Partner & Vice Chair Jennifer Steinbrenner Swindal. The contract for Rodriguez’ new role will last through Dec. 31 of next year, in line with his player contract that lasts through the ’17 season. Rodriguez is still owed nearly $28M in total on that contract, including $21M for next year. Yankees Senior VP & GM Brian Cashman said that he will be paid in full and that the club will still pay the full value of luxury tax against that contract. “To the other 29 clubs who want us to pay every penny (of luxury tax), don’t worry. We will be,” he said. Rodriguez will also receive a small, undisclosed salary for the advisory role. He will additionally be free to pursue TV and radio work, such as a resumption of his well-regarded analyst stint with Fox Sports during last year’s World Series (Eric Fisher, Staff Writer).
HOT TICKET: The WALL STREET JOURNAL's Alex Raskin notes Steinbrenner "approached Rodriguez on Wednesday and the two had several conversations" leading up to yesterday’s announcement. Raskin notes even the most ardent baseball traditionalists "would struggle to deny Rodriguez’s impact on the game" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 8/8). Ticket aggregator TiqIQ reported the average ticket price for Friday's game at Yankee Stadium "has soared to $345." In N.Y., Reuven Blau notes that is up 355% from the average ticket price of $75. Prices are "expected to soar as the number of available tickets shrinks before the first pitch" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 8/8). Listing prices on many leading markets soared by more than 500% before settling back down to an increase of about 280%. Both average listing prices and low-end, get-in prices for Rodriguez’ finale, however, remain far below those for former Yankees SS Derek Jeter’s sendoff in ’14 (Fisher).
STRANGER THINGS: ESPN.com's David Schoenfield wrote observers could "almost sense the relief in Cashman's comments" during yesterday’s conference, with several "veiled digs at Rodriguez" (ESPN.com, 8/7). In N.Y., John Harper writes Yankees execs "insist the owner never gave him an ultimatum, retire or be released, when they met last week, but Steinbrenner did make it clear A-Rod was going to continue to sit in favor of younger players." There was "nothing warm and fuzzy about this parting." Harper: "All of which made this the right move for both sides" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 8/8). On Long Island, David Lennon notes Steinbrenner’s "gambit worked," as he "broke Rodriguez by issuing the executive order to chain him to the bench for the past month" (NEWSDAY, 8/8). In N.Y., Mike Lupica writes, "On his way out the door, as he is gently and respectfully shoved out the door by Hal Steinbrenner and the Yankees, at least Rodriguez finally shows some grace." He has "managed to rehabilitate his relationship with the Yankees ... and with a lot of Yankee fans." He has "even repaired his relationship" with MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 8/8). In Newark, Brendan Kuty writes this is a "strange conclusion to a strange relationship" (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 8/8).
IT'S COMPLICATED: On Long Island, Neil Best notes whether Friday turns out to be Rodriguez’ final game for any MLB team "remains to be seen." But yesterday's conference as the "capper to two weeks that turned decades of Yankees philosophy on its ear ... was dramatic, and appropriate" (NEWSDAY, 8/8) In N.Y., Mike Vaccaro writes Rodriguez "was polarizing as hell." Vaccaro: "But you have to give him this: He made you pay attention" (N.Y. POST, 8/8). But in Boston, Michael Silverman writes Rodriguez is a "fascinating, impenetrable and ultimately tragic blend of insecurity, sensitivity and ego" (BOSTON HERALD, 8/8). The GLOBE & MAIL's Cathal Kelly writes, "When we remember him, it will be for his ego, his playoff failures, his instinct for mendacity, and his greed" (GLOBE & MAIL, 8/8).
TWITTER REAX: ESPN's Buster Olney: "My guess is Alex Rodriguez tries to play again for another team, after he finishes with the NYY. Only a guess. His belief in self still deep." Keith Olbermann: "Have to say this for ARod: He kept the pharmaceutical field healthier and stronger." N.Y. Times' Christopher Clarey: "How does an admitted drug cheat & liar end up with special advisor role with Yankees? What kind of message is this?" Boston Globe's Jason Tuohey: "Incredible his career turned out like this. He was the chosen one."
