In the first couple of weeks of the season there were a few rogue writers out there who suggested -- based on the steroids stuff and the Selena Roberts book more than anything else -- that the Yankees were better off without Alex Rodriguez, and that a scrappy and clean young man like Cody Ransom would do just fine, thank you. I’m guessing no one will own up to that commentary now:
Given the versatility of the newly acquired Jerry Hairston Jr., it seemed unlikely that the Yankees would have room for backup infielder Cody Ransom much longer. And so the team did the inevitable on Wednesday, designating Ransom for assignment and replacing him with a fresh arm for the bullpen, right-hander Anthony Claggett . . . Designating Ransom may have been an obvious decision, but it was not an easy one for the Yankees. Though he struggled at times, Ransom nonetheless bailed the Yankees out of a tough spot when starting third baseman Alex Rodriguez had surgery on his right hip this spring, allowing Ransom to take over the starting job and hold it as best he could.
“As best he could” amounted to hitting .190/.256/.329, which wouldn’t cut it for a utility infielder in the mid-60s. So, while he didn’t tip off the signs to the other team, do steroids, make hundreds of millions of dollars, kill sportswriters’ puppies, break up marriages, and otherwise serve as history’s greatest monster, he was no real replacement, or even a real backup, for A-Rod.