A-Rod Apparently Isn't a Yankees Advisor Anymore Even Though it Was Never Announced
By Ryan Giglio
Alex Rodriguez spent 13 years as a New York Yankee player and transitioned into a front office role after his retirement in August 2016.
Well, it seems that their official relationship has come to an end...at some point this offseason? I don't know. No one mentioned it.
Marc Carig of The Athletic is reporting that A-Rod is no longer a paid employee of the Yankees after his contract expired after the 2018 season, quashing a bit of ESPN Sunday Night Baseball controversy in the process.
While Alex Rodriguez maintains a relationship with the Yankees and Hal Steinbrenner, he is no longer being paid by the team, nor does he hold a title with the organization, an industry source told The Athletic.
— Marc Carig (@MarcCarig) July 29, 2019
This news is a bit of a surprise due to the lack of public announcement from Rodriguez or the team at any point. Also, the 2019 Yankees media guide still has him listed as a "Special Advisor," along with other former players.
FWIW, the 2019 Yankees media guide still lists Rodriguez as a "Special Advisor" in the baseball operations department along with Carlos Beltran, Reggie Jackson, Hideki Matsui, Andy Pettitte and Nick Swisher. https://t.co/DlseOqcGNl
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) July 29, 2019
Rodriguez is, of course, a part of the broadcast team on ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball with Matt Vasgersian and Jessica Mendoza. On this Sunday night's broadcast, A-Rod and Mendoza, a Mets front office employee, made headlines with their discussion of Noah Syndergaard as a potential target for the Yankees.
Well, that was interesting.
— Matt Ehalt (@MattEhalt) July 29, 2019
A-Rod just asked Jessica Mendoza who she would acquire if she was an executive.
Her response: "Noah Syndergaard."
It's no secret that the Yankees covet Syndergaard, so it was noteworthy that a Mets employee cited Syndergaard as the best starter available when asked by a perceived Yankee employee.
The news that Rodriguez no longer works for the Yankees probably diminishes the importance of this exchange, but the former slugger's quiet departure from the team is definitely worth keeping an eye on.