Alex Rodriguez's time with Yankees could be nearing an end

NEW YORK (AP) — His time with the New York Yankees drawing near an end following more than a decade of controversy, Alex Rodriguez proclaimed: "No matter what happens, I'm at peace with myself."

After trading four veterans and turning their attention toward rebuilding, the Yankees appear to have little or no use for a 41-year-old designated hitter with a .205 batting average, one whose playing time has all but disappeared in the past month.

"I think I can contribute. I think I can help out in the clubhouse," Rodriguez said Tuesday, "but if not, I have two beautiful daughters waiting for me in Miami."

Four home runs shy of 700, he trails only Barry Bonds (762), Hank Aaron (755) and Babe Ruth (714) on the career list. But he may not get there with the Yankees, who want to test their prospects after giving up hope on the present by dealing Aroldis Chapman, Andrew Miller, Carlos Beltran and Ivan Nova for 10 prospects, pitcher Adam Warren and two players to be named.

"In maybe the near future, do I see him getting a ton of at-bats?" manager Joe Girardi said at Citi Field. "No. I probably don't, because of some of the changes that we're possibly going to make here."

Rodriguez has a $20 million salary this year and is owed $20 million in 2017, the final season of his $275 million, 10-year deal. The money makes a trade unlikely, leading to speculation he will be designated for assignment and then released.

Owner Hal Steinbrenner, speaking Tuesday on an ESPN radio show simulcast on the team's YES Network, said decision-makers had not gotten that far.

"I haven't discussed with the baseball people anything about what we're going to be doing in the hours and days to come," he said.

"The last two weeks have been about trades, trades, trades," he added, before dropping a hint: "My job is to do what's best for the organization."

General manager Brian Cashman said catching prospect Gary Sanchez could be called up as soon as Wednesday, when the team returns to Yankee Stadium and regains a designated hitter — another signal A-Rod's time in the Bronx is short.

For now, Rodriguez is prepared to mentor while he sits when healthy for the most time since he was a rookie with Seattle in 1994.

"At-bats are going to come if they come." he said. "If they don't, they don't. I know that when I was 18 years old and in a big league clubhouse, it was instrumental to have guidance like Edgar Martinez and Jay Buhner to show me the way."

Sanchez isn't likely the only new face to see playing time. Outfielder Aaron Judge, sidelined since early July by a knee injury, was activated from the disabled list Tuesday and in the lineup for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre along outfielder Clint Frazier, the top prospect obtained from Cleveland in the Miller deal.

Pitcher Luis Severino also is back up with the Yankees after impressing last summer and struggling this spring. Greg Bird is expected to take over from Mark Teixeira at first base next year after missing all of 2016 following shoulder surgery.

Ever since the Yankees acquired Rodriguez from Texas before the 2004 season, he has been the center of attention, whether winning his second and third AL MVP awards, admitting in 2009 he used performance-enhancing drugs, helping New York win the World Series later that year or serving a one-year drug-related suspension in 2014.

"I know that the organization has a brighter future today than it did last week, and hopefully I'm part of that equation," Rodriguez said. "But if not, I can accept it very clearly."