Joe Girardi, who said he would contact Alex Rodriguez in the wake of his controversial postseason benching, has called the New York Yankees third baseman to talk, reports The New York Post — possibly putting this Category 3 squall to rest for now.
"Joe knows Alex is sensitive and needed to have a conversation," a source told The Post. "He couldn't go into the winter not knowing what was going on and wanted to clear his head. Now both of them are ready to go."
In a press conference last week, the Yankees manager said he would need to speak to Rodriguez before spring training after the $114 million slugger struggled through a horrendous postseason.
Girardi had no comment about the reported hour-long call to A-Rod on Monday but has said he is concerned about any of his players' mental state after a managerial move.
"I'm always worried about whatever move I make, how it affects the club or affects the player," Girardi admitted last week at Yankee Stadium. "Sure, [there's a possibility] I might have to deal with it more that I expected, but I may not have to deal with it at all. As we move forward, I'll get a temperature on it and keep track of it and see how it's going."
Al Roker couldn't have said it better.
Rodriguez joined a long list of key players who had dismal postseasons but have been reached out and touched by the Yankees organization.
Yesterday, Robinson Cano and Curtis Granderson got more than phone calls from the Yankees. Both postseason flops had their $15 million options picked up by the team.
The plight of a downgraded Nick Swisher is not so clear. But it is likely the "sensitive" outfielder has worn out his welcome and will be playing for another team next season.
Expect a lot of Yankees updates this winter.
The playoffs are definitely a one of a kind event. Those legendary MVP's had all the stakes to win.
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