A-Rod has been benched. The three-time MVP will be watching the New York Yankees take on the Baltimore Orioles tonight from the dugout. Manager Joe Girardi announced today that he will be starting Eric Chavez at third base tonight during a crucial game five.
Girardi said:
“It’s a tough decision, there’s no doubt about it, because of what he’s meant to our club … He has been a very productive hitter. But he struggled against right-handers in the series, and Chavy has been good against right-handers all year long … I’m going to go with Chavy. [Rodriguez] said he’s ready to help when he needs to help, and let’s win today.”
MLB.com reports that Rodriguez has hit just 2-16 in the first four games against Baltimore. Girardi told reporters today that the decision to bench A-Rod was completely performance based and that the star player was perfectly healthy.
“It’s not easy. As a manager, sometimes you’ve got to make tough decisions. I think a lot of it is where we are right now. It comes down to nine innings or whatever we play today. Chavy’s at-bats have been really good against right-handers this year and I’m going with it.”
This will be just the third time in A-Rod’s career that he has not started a post-season game. Rodriguez didn’t start the first two playoff games of his career in 1995. After that, he started in 70 straight postseason games.
Rodriguez said:
“I’m not happy and obviously disappointed … I want to be in there in the worst way.”
ABC reports that Rodrigues was pinch hit for during games three and four.
What do you think about Girardi’s decision? Are the Yankees better off with A-Rod on the bench?
