How The New York Yankees Should Spend A-Rod’s Money

Sep 20, 2013; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees designated hitter Alex Rodriguez (13) hits a grand slam home run against the San Francisco Giants during the seventh inning of a game at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

What to do with $25 million? That’s the question right now. With Alex Rodriguez‘s suspension for the 2014 season, and even with the $3 million bonus that’s coming his way shortly, the salary is now freed up. So what do the Yankees do?

Well first of all, they need another third baseman, one to platoon with Kelly Johnson. They could go with Eduardo Nunez but I don’t think that will be the plan. Mark Reynolds is still out there in free agency, someone the Yankees liked when he came aboard the last two months of the year and someone who could fit in a nice platoon with Kelly Johnson. Michael Young is out there as well, but that’s not the way to go in my opinion.  That’s a couple of million right there.

The Yankees then have a choice, split the remaining money between Grant Balfour/ Fernando Rodney and a starter like Jason Hammel. They could also use the remaining balance plus extra if they want to disregard $189 million on Masahiro Tanaka and enter a bidding war with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Yankees also have a 40-man roster crunch they have to deal with. With A-Rod coming off the roster due to the suspension, they can announce the signing of Brian Roberts.

Rodriguez is going to fight the suspension though it doesn’t sound like the union is going back his play.

We now know the details of the suspension. The Yankees can now move forward with their plan. Now it’s about spending the money the right way.