Cashman: Expect 'Above-Average' A-Rod To Remain With Yankees
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Brian Cashman and Yankees fans can agree on one thing: Alex Rodriguez is no longer a superstar.
But then there's the matter of his future in the Bronx. If you expect the general manager to react to Bombers backers and ship A-Rod out of town -- well, keep dreaming.
Though he'd listen to all offers, Cashman told the New York Daily News it would be "unrealistic" to think the third baseman would be playing elsewhere next season.
"If anyone wastes their time thinking Alex Rodriguez is not going to be with us in spring training, they'd be wrong," Cashman said.
A-Rod's decline has been well-documented, debated and analyzed. Due $114 million over the next five years, he recorded just 18 home runs and 57 RBIs in an injury-shortened season.
Rodriguez has 34 home runs and 119 RBIs over his last two seasons combined, numbers that rival his career averages over a single year.
"Is he still a superstar? No," said Cashman. "Is he still an above-average player at his position? Yes. He was this year and we expect him to be one moving forward."
Fan sentiment reached a new low this postseason, during which Rodriguez went 3 for 25 with 12 strikeouts.
His status in manager Joe Girardi's starting lineup became a daily drama, and unhappy fans at Yankee Stadium weren't shy about doling out the jeers. Fuel was added to the fire when A-Rod reportedly flirted with a model seated behind the home dugout during Game 1 of the ALCS.
Many thought his nightmarish October would be the last straw. There was even a report that the Yankees and Marlins had discussed a deal involving A-Rod and his bloated contract -- rumors that Cashman was forced to deny.
With a full no-trade clause, A-Rod has the ability to block any deal. Not that it'll come to that any time soon.
The 37-year-old vowed to return after New York's ouster. Meanwhile, Cashman also told the New York Post that he's "not looking to trade Alex," echoing his remarks to the Daily News.
"I expect Alex to be here. ... I don't see how we are better without Alex playing third base," Cashman told the Post.
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