Yesterday the Yankees acquired Chase Headley from the San Diego Padres. What does this mean for Alex Rodriguez's future in the Bronx?
Tuesday afternoon, Brian Cashman traded Yangervis Solarte and Rafael De Paula to the San Diego Padres for Chase Headley. Most Yankee fans have rightfully applauded this move while others think that Solarte and De Paula were not worth the two month rental of Headley, who will be a free agent after this season. Whether you are for or against this trade, what's done is done. Headley is now in pinstripes for the remainder of the 2014 Yankees regular season. After the season is over, things get interesting. Or complicated. Pick your synonym.
In case you have forgotten in the midst of these troubling times, Alex Rodriguez is still our regular third baseman. After this season, his suspension will be over with and he will be returning to the Yankees. Whether we like it or not is irrelevant. What is relevant is that when the 2015 season begins, he will be a 40-year-old third baseman, a year removed from the sport, with hip and other injury concerns floating around him. There's little need to bring up the drama, but it is another concern. These issues have to be on the Yankees' mind. Perhaps Chase Headley is their solution.
One of the benefits with trading for rental players is that you have options after the season is over with. If Chase Headley impresses the Yankees, which he probably did last night, he could very well shine in the Bronx. He's one of the youngest third basemen on the market this coming off season and he will come cheaper than Pablo Sandoval or Hanley Ramirez, if the Giants or Dodgers do not extend them. His defense is excellent and removal from the caverns of the beautiful Petco Park could be just what he needs to get his bat back. Still though, however brightly Headley might shine during the 2nd half, there's still the looming shadow of A-Rod's contract.
This is where the real trouble of A-Rod's mega contract comes into play. If they wanted to sign Headley, they would have to essentially pay A-Rod to not play for them. While many fans would probably say yes to the idea, that's a lot of money to throw away to sign a third baseman who probably will not hit as well as a 40-year-old Alex Rodriguez. If they continue on with A-Rod, there's a good chance Headley is not going to want to stay in pinstripes to simply be Rodriguez's back up. Nor should he, when there are other teams out there who will pay him to start at third. It's most likely going to be one or the other.
Which would you go with? Vote in the poll and voice your opinion in the comments.