Alex Rodriguez attempted to apologize to the New York Yankees at the end of January, but the team rejected his request for a meeting. However, the two sides had a 90-minute meeting on Tuesday and Rodriguez sought to clear the air.
Yesterday at Yankee Stadium the three-time MVP apologized to team owner Hal Steinbrenner and other team executives for his involvement in the Biogenesis Scandal, his suspension for performance-enhancing drug use, and the manner in which he went about defending himself through suing the MLB and the Yankees' team doctor, according to Andrew Marchand of ESPNNewYork.com. Team president Randy Levine, general manager Brian Cashman and assistant GM Jean Afterman were also present for the apology.
"Alex initiated the meeting and apologized to the organization for his actions over the past several years," the Yankees and Rodriguez said in a joint statement, via the New York Post. "There was an honest and frank discussion on all of the issues. As far as the Yankees are concerned, the next step is to play baseball in spring training."
But the team was not easy on Rodriguez. They notified the slugger they would still be disputing his "marketing bonuses," which consist of $6 million payments each time he reaches another player on baseball's all-time home run list (he's six home runs away from tying Willie Mays' 660 mark). Additionally, the team told Rodriguez they would like if he spoke to the media and apologized for his actions before pitchers and catchers report to spring training on Feb. 20. Rodriguez is responsible for setting up a date to address the media before then.
The Yankees owe Rodriguez $64 million over the next three seasons and it's unlikely he's plays on a full-time basis moving forward. Earlier this offseason the team signed third baseman Chase Headley to a four-year, $52 million deal and Cashman noted Rodriguez would be a "tremendous DH" for the team in 2015. The team is rightfully concerned about his defensive abilities, especially since he has undergone two hip surgeries since 2009 and played in only 265 games since 2011.
There will be plenty of attention surrounding Rodriguez during spring training and the Yankees likely hope it won't be too much of a distraction. They're looking to avoid missing the postseason for the third consecutive year.
