Why We've Probably Have Seen the Last of A-Rod

Photo: Kevin Sousa/Icon Sportswire

Ever since the Yankees began selling at the deadline, there has been speculations swirling around that the team could release Alex Rodriguez before the season is out. Though some believe that removing him from the equation is simply not as feasible as it seems there may not be any other alternative, especially given the direction the franchise is headed. If that’s not enough incentive, here are some of the reasons parting ways with the aging DH make most sense.

The Yankees Simply Have No Use for Him

His diminished skills both on the field and at the plate have become very apparent, leaving the team no choice but to relegate him the bench. At this point it has become a mystery as to what his exact role is and with a little more than a month left in the season, there doesn't appear to be any answer coming.

He Hinders the Impending Youth Movement

Now that the Yankees have stockpiled a considerable amount of young talent (thanks to a lucrative deadline) the team can finally make the push to get younger. This puts Rodriguez in a tough spot since he is 41 years old and essentially taking up a potential roster spot for an up and comer. 

His 700th Home Run Won't Mean Much

Unfortunately for Rodriguez, his link to PED's will forever taint his career and image. There were high hopes that when he reached 700 home runs it would instantly place him among the immortals of the game. However, that is no longer the case and like his predecessors (Bonds, McGwire, Palmeiro and others) the league will seek to blackball him out of Cooperstown.

His Time Has Passed

Most professional athletes know when it's time to call it a career. With 20 years under his belt and most of the players linked to him out of baseball, it's safe to say that his days as a primetime athlete are numbered. It’s likely he was too encouraged by his performance last season and felt he could replicate it, but that has not gone nearly the way he'd hoped in 2016. This reality should be enough to convince Rodriguez that he's no longer capable of doing the things he and many others had become accustomed to his entire career.