Yankees Editorial: Can networks ignore a successful Alex Rodriguez?

As Opening Day, and thus the return of Alex Rodriguez, draws near, Rob Manfred is about to enter his first season as baseball’s commissioner.  According to Bob Raissman of the New York Daily News, Manfred feels that baseball must improve its marketing of young stars such as Mike Trout, Clayton Kershaw, Bryce Harper, and Giancarlo Stanton.

Apparently he has even asked the MLB’s national TV partners to help, as players do not have much time to film commercials:

"What we want to do is work closely with our TV partners, Fox and ESPN, to develop storylines with our players throughout the year to use on the national broadcasts."

The New York Yankees do not have any marketable young stars.  They do have three young stars, but Masahiro Tanaka and Michael Pineda hardly speak the English language, while Dellin Betances is a reliever, which makes him less noticeable to the common fan.

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Rodriguez could turn out to be the one marketable star on the team.  If he performs in 2015, he will be arguably the biggest story in baseball.  Even if he doesn’t perform, he will still be one of the biggest stories.  So how will the MLB choose to market the returning slugger if he proves he is still capable of being a threat in the lineup?

Will they promote Rodriguez as they have in the past, or do as the official Twitter of the Yankees did on Wednesday, and ignore Rodriguez’s performance?  After the Yankees’ Twitter, which is run by MLB Advanced Media, didn’t mention his home run versus the rival Boston Red Sox, there was an angry reaction, even though he hasn’t been mentioned in an official tweet throughout the spring.

MLB spokesman Pat Courtney said that Manfred “has made it clear from his perspective that A-Rod should be treated like any other player”.  Can this really be believed though?  If A-Rod is playing well entering a nationally televised game on Sunday Night Baseball, will ESPN use Rodriguez in the promotion leading up to the game?

While many Yankee fans dislike Rodriguez, it has become apparent during Spring Training that many more will be supporting him, especially if he is performing.  After seeing the backlash over the lack of a tweet regarding a Spring Training home run, it is likely that the MLB will use Rodriguez for Yankees promotions, as he is the most recognizable face, and the biggest star on the team.

Regardless of how Manfred truly feels about Rodriguez, he does not want to enter his new job as commissioner carrying over the past commissioners grudge against a player.  He also does not want the negative backlash that was witnessed on Wednesday.  All of this together means that A-Rod will probably be back to the national spotlight once the season commences.

Next: Alex Rodriguez should bat in the middle of the lineup

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