Brian Cashman discusses Alex Rodriguez's 2015 return
The Yankees are losing one superstar, but another will return in 2015 -- Alex Rodriguez, who served a year-long suspension for his involvement in the Biogenesis scandal.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Saturday he contacted Rodriguez 10 days ago to map out a plan for his return, according to ESPNNewYork.com's Andrew Marchand.
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"I spoke to Alex ... trying to get his thought process on the best way to come back," said Cashman, who had declined to comment on Rodriguez all season.
Cashman reportedly asked Rodriguez if he thought playing winter ball might be a good option, but Rodriguez declined, which Cashman told Marchand was "fine."
Cashman made headlines in June 2013 after he told Rodriguez to "shut the f--- up" through the media after A-Rod tweeted about his injury rehab. The general manager was more complimentary of Rodriguez on Saturday.
"One thing about Alex, he has always been a hard worker," Cashman said. "It is nothing you ever have to worry about with Alex."
He added: "I just approached it as, like any player, I've got questions I need answered here on what's best going next and I needed the player to be involved in the process. So we had a good conversation on that end. I would term it 'good.' I didn't rehash anything from the past. It is not productive to do so. He's been suspended. He served his time. It gets completed by tomorrow. Then he will be re-introduced obviously with you guys [the media] and our personnel. He looks forward to re-introducing himself to us in a positive way."
Rodriguez is owed more than $60 million over the next three seasons. The 39-year-old, three-time AL MVP will enter the season with 654 career home runs, 309 coming in 10 seasons with the Yankees.
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- Chris Mascaro
