Is Alex Rodriguez a $21 Million Bench Player

Alex Rodriguez will return to the Bronx Bombers for the 2015 MLB Season, and according to general manger Brian Cashman, Rodriguez will have to earn his playing time.

The fact of the matter is the New York Yankees are essentially stuck with Alex Rodriguez in 2015, whether they like it or not. The clear indication is that the team doesn't wan't him.. at all, but the reality is they've got him and all of his $21 million cap hit stuck on their payroll.

Being that they're obligated to roll with the 40 year old star one year removed from serving a full season suspension for violating MLB's drug testing policy, they might as well play him, right? Try to get some production out of him. The early indications is that they will do just that, but this doesn't mean manager Joe Girardi will just hand him a spot in the starting lineup and pencil him into the middle of their batting order.

The Yankees are reportedly making it an offseason priority to re-sign third-basemen and mid-season trade acquisition Chase Headley. This has raised a number of red flags and speculation around the league, as that would potentially mean Headley is taking Rodriguez's presumed spot on the field and in the lineup. General Manager Brian Cashman confirmed this possibility this week at the GM meetings, saying that the ailing Alex Rodriguez will have to fight for his playing time.

"He's going to compete for at-bat's and for a position," Cashman said. "The position would be third, and obviously DH and that's it. Maybe some time at first base. He may be eventually the everyday third baseman. He may be the everyday DH; I just don't know. I'm going to do everything in my power to drum up some opportunities that are realistic and present them to ownership that may or may not involve third base. It's very early in the process."

That is probably the best Cashman can do anyway as his team prepares for the 2015 season and all the drama that is sure to hover over Alex Rodriguez's return to baseball.

I still wouldn't rule out the possibility of this problem magically going away either....