Yankees: CC Sabathia endorses A-Rod as a manager

Though CC Sabathia didn’t come out and say that Alex Rodriguez should be the next manager of the Yankees, he did gush about A-Rod’s managerial potential.

I honestly had no idea that Yankees starting pitcher CC Sabathia co-hosts a podcast with Ryan Ruocco called ‘R2C2.’

Broadcast to the web by The Players’ Tribune, Sabathia’s most recent guest was his 2009 World Series winning teammate, and current Fox Sports analyst, Alex Rodriguez.

During the almost 54 minute-long episode titled, “Alex Rodriguez loosens the reins… a little,” Sabathia and Ruocco got candid about Rodriguez’s baseball journey, his thoughts on the public perception of his legacy, the dismissal of Joe Girardi and the Yankees’ bright future.

When the conversation eventually shifted to potential managerial candidates, is about the time Episode 8 got juicy.

Rodriguez, who said that he hadn’t given much thought to the idea of managing a major league club — instead, hinted to the possibility of team ownership, much like Derek Jeter now does in Rodriguez’s hometown of Miami.

Sabathia, who knows A-Rod better than most, was quick to heap praise on the 14-time All-Star, should he ever decide to head down the path of skipper. As first reported by the New York Post:

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"“I’ll tell you this: He would be a great [manager],” said Sabathia, himself questionable to return to the Yankees after his contract expired. “His baseball IQ is off the charts. I’ve never seen or played or talked with a player who’s as smart as he is. From every aspect of the game, he’d be able to manage I think.”"

The buttoned-up Rodriguez, who refused to acknowledge any interest in such a position, referred to the now-vacant Yankees role as “almost like POTUS,” since it’s a job everyone pays attention to.

"“Whether you’re in China or Dubai or Australia, everybody knows that logo — even if you’re not a baseball fan — you understand that (the) New York Yankees are the best franchise in the greatest city in the world.”"

As for Sabathia, the 17-year veteran is now an unrestricted free agent after the Yankees declined to extend a qualifying offer to him on Tuesday.

One week prior, on Episode 7 of the ‘R2C2’ podcast (2017 Yankees Season Recap), Sabathia spoke at length about how shocked he was that Girardi wouldn’t return to the Yanks’ dugout in 2018.

Sabathia, who said that he never had any issues with Girardi in regards to the speculation that ol’ Joe couldn’t connect with his players or was at times too intense, instead acknowledged that baseball is a business, and said that if he ultimately decides to continue his career next season, he will do so even if it isn’t in New York.

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"“If my run is up here, like Joe, I had a great time,” Sabathia said.“I’m good with baseball however it shakes out. If I’m done next year — if I’m done the year after. It is what it is. This is all borrowed time for me. This is extra. I’m just having fun.”"