Christian Red of the New York Daily News reports that former Yankees DH Alex Rodriguez will not attempt a comeback in 2017. Instead, he’ll serve as a “special advisor” to Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner. The Yankees still owe him $21 million for 2017 regardless, as Red notes.
Rodriguez, 41, struggled to a .200/.247/.351 triple-slash line with nine home runs and 31 RBI in 243 plate appearances. The Yankees released him in mid-August and he did not latch on with another team. Rodriguez joined FOX Sports for their playoff coverage as he did in 2015.
If his career is over, Rodriguez is sitting on 696 home runs, the fourth-most in baseball history behind Barry Bonds (762), Hank Aaron (755), and Babe Ruth (714). Rodriguez’s 10-year, $275 million contract with the Yankees including a clause in which he was to be paid $6 million for reaching home run milestones (660, 714, 755, 762, 763). Rodriguez also retires with 117.7 Wins Above Replacement, according to Baseball Reference, which is the 12th most all-time among position players.
