Alex Rodriguez’s final week as a New York Yankee was fated to be unnecessarily dramatic, and now Joe Girardi is being forced to defend himself from criticism of his handling of the situation.
Girardi was forced to defend himself after going back on his word to play Rodriguez for an entire series in Boston. Rodriguez was unhappy, but Girardi says it’s his responsibility to put out the lineup that will best help the team win games.
On Wednesday, Girardi had a rather sharp comment toward his detractors.
Joe Girardi: “My job description does not entail farewell tours.” https://t.co/9tNvgrpKM9
— Andrew Marchand (@AndrewMarchand) August 10, 2016
Here’s the problem with that line of thinking. As recently as 2014, Girardi was engineering a farewell tour. Derek Jeter hit just .256 with no power during that season, his final one in the majors, and in only four games did he not hit in the No. 2 spot in the order. That team was ostensibly trying to reach the playoffs. Hitting a player with a .617 OPS in the two hole was actively hurting the team, but the legend of Jeter was untouchable.
Girardi seems to be operating under the premise that the Yankees are still trying to win this year. Based on the moves the Yankees made at the deadline, they’re looking ahead to 2017. Girardi can’t possibly sit there with a straight face and say that they’re competing with the Red Sox for a playoff spot mere days after his team sold off many valuable assets. The Yankees are done. They should be focusing on playing youngsters and, if they see fit, paying tribute to Rodriguez’s career. Girardi needs to stop making excuses that don’t hold up under his managerial record. He played Jeter when he wasn’t performing. You can’t say the same of A-Rod and use the farewell tour excuse.
