Should The New York Yankees Release Alex Rodriguez?

Sep 5, 2013; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees third baseman

(center) smiles after he slid awkwardly into second base following his double in the bottom of the 4th inning against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Mills/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports

On Black Friday, everyone is looking to save some money and avoid headaches. For the New York Yankees, one major headache they have hanging over them is Alex Rodriguez. In today’s column, ESPN’s Buster Olney suggests the Yankees could just cut him:

"The Yankees owe Alex Rodriguez $86 million over the next four seasons, a financial commitment that may be lightened if an arbitrator rules against him and sustains some sort of suspension, and if that ruling stands up to any inevitable legal challenge that Rodriguez may mount.I don’t think it matters. I’m guessing — and that’s all it is, a guess — that Rodriguez has played his last game for the Yankees.If Rodriguez is ordered to serve the full 211 games in his suspension, I think they’ll cut him upon completion of his sentence. If his suspension is reduced, I think they’ll cut him. If he wins his case outright, I think they’ll cut him."

Should they cut him?For one thing, let’s say the suspension is upheld and it is 211 games. There’s a possibility, albeit slim, that he could just retire. If he wins outright, he’s then eligible to play the entire season, and they don’t have an option that’s really any better than A-Rod at his age.  If he’s suspended for let’s say 100 games, he comes back around August 1.

The thing is, the Yankees would have to pay him anyway unless he retires, so why not use him? Until he hurt his legs, he was a useful and productive player for the team; much better than anyone else they had playing the position all year long.

Look, he’s not what he used to be, and he’s certainly not worth the money he’s making at this point, but if he’s actually going to play, it’s not worth throwing away $27 million and getting nothing for it. It’s a sunk cost at this point, no reason to sink it any lower.