25 Chasing 28: The 2011 New York Yankees Roster & Alex Rodriguez

Mood Music - The Centaur by Buck 65

Name: Alexander Emmanuel Rodriguez

DOB: July 27, 1975

Contract Status: A-Rod is signed to a contract worth more than the 2010 GDP of two countries (Kiribati and São Tomé and Príncipe). Word. The full details of the gaudy $275MM experience can be viewed here.

2010 Stats: .270/.341/.506, 124 wRC+, 3.9 WAR

2010 in Review: When healthy (which has not been an entire season since 2007), A-Rod was the cleanup hitter for the Yankees and provided fairly solid production.  While no longer the prolific masher of his earlier career, Rodriguez remained a feared hitter who, when his swing was right, could still be considered an elite hitter. While he continued to decline defensively, his play at third base ranged from league average to slightly below league average (again, as a function of health).

The Good: When he is healthy, using the whole field, and remaining patient at the plate, there are few hitters more dangerous than Alex Rodriguez.

The Bad: The contract, the nagging health problems, and the seemingly inevitable transition to designated hitter.

2011 Outlook: A-Rod should again be in the middle of the Yankees order, and they will again look to him for major run production. I think that his ability to stay healthy and productive will be one of the biggest story lines regarding the Yankees offense in the coming season. If he can get his OBP back up above .375 and churn out his usual 30 home runs, it will be huge for the team.