The New York Yankees are preparing for a new season and they want the past to remain behind them as pitchers and catchers report for spring training. Part of that past is all of the drama Alex Rodriguez has brought to the franchise in the form of performance enhancing drug suspensions and injuries. Rodriguez will return to the team in 2015, but not as a starter and not before he publically apologizes for everything.
The Yankees third baseman issued a handwritten apology addressed to Yankees fans in which he takes credit for his mistakes regarding his year-long suspension for performance-enhancing drugs. ESPN reported the apology letter had Rodriguez thanking the organization for being gracious while saying he is simply ready to play baseball this year.
"I take full responsibility for the mistakes that led to my suspension for the 2014 season," Rodriguez said in the statement, via ESPN.com. "I regret that my actions made the situation worse than it needed to be. To Major League Baseball, the Yankees, the Steinbrenner family, the Players Association and you, the fans, I can only say I'm sorry."
Rodriguez might be returning to the Yankees, but that does not mean he is going to be a starter for the team. The Yankees still owe the third baseman $61 million over the next three years, but they have already moved on from him in terms of on-the-field production. The Yankees acquired Headley with a four-year, $52 million contract and intend to start him. Some believe there could be rising tension between Headley and Rodriguez as they both want the most playing time, but the former San Diego Padres star said everything is good between the two and they have already reached out to one another.
"We didn't talk about that," Headley said, via ESPNNewYork.com. "It was just more of an introduction. I think we both care about winning. That's the most important thing and that's what we talked about. That (other) stuff will sort itself out. I'm not going to concern myself with that. I'm going to come out and try to do the best I can to do my job, and however that shakes out it will shake out."
The Yankees could still make one more move before the season begins in terms of trades. MLB sources still link the team to trades for pitchers as New York is eyeing one more starter to add to the mix. Cole Hamels and Jordan Zimmermann are the best available, but the Yankees might simply pass due to contract restraints.
