A-Rod May Stay? Then Where’s Crede Going to Play?

According to this article, Alex Rodriguez may actually want to stay in New York (with the Yankees, not the Mets).  I guess the entire opting out of his contract situation (which cost the Yankees $30 million in Texas subsidy) was really just a sign of affection?  Well, this article provides the following commentary, in support of the “A-Rod to stay” theory:

When reports of the Yankees’ possible offer surfaced last Sunday, Boras took that as an indication that the team did, in fact, want to talk money with his client. He then exercised the opt-out clause without meeting with the Yankees.

That decision triggered a firestorm of negative attention for Rodriguez, possibly tarnishing the image of an image-conscious player. For that reason, said a person close to Rodriguez who spoke on the condition of anonymity, Rodriguez is dismayed with the fallout and is considering whether to give the Yankees a discount on the front end of a new contract.

Basically, A-Rod would take a pay-cut (prolonged over a given period) and play third for many years in the Bronx.  I doubt that this is possible and according to the article, even the Yankees feel this way.  Therefore, I wouldn’t hold my breathe waiting for a truly signficant moment of charity on behalf of A-Rod and Scott Boras.

And, if A-Rod was back next year, where would Joe Crede play?  This is the big rumor that’s currently making the rounds on Yahoo, SI and other sports websites.  Apparently, Brian Cashman and Kenny Williams (CWS GM) are working together to produce a Damon for Crede swap, that would (supposedly) helps both teams (Sox in CF and Yanks at 3B).  Honestly, I am pretty much against this move for a variety of reasons.

Basically, Crede is not a viable offensive option.  Yes, he hit 30 HRs in 2006, but his numbers before that career year are more below average than average.  His career BA is .259 (which is okay to some degree) and he follows that up with a .305 OBP.  This is not what the Yankees need, at all.  Especially if that means trading Damon, who, given a full and healthy season, could put up better numbers all around.  Don’t get me wrong, Crede’s not a bad player offensively (his career SLG and OPS figures are respectable) or defensively and the Yankees wouldn’t keep him long term.  He just doesn’t seem like the right solution for the Yanks in 08 (especially coming off of a back injury).

There’s an argument that says that the Yankees are jammed up in the OF and have too many players to rotate at the DH position.  However, this is where the Yankees need to be creative in their thinking.  Damon is still a good OF option, especially in comparison to Matsui, so maybe a move to 1B for either of these two could help the team.  Of course, it is the Yankees, so creativity may not be an option no matter how cheap and simple it may be.