Yankees' Girardi: Expect 150 Games From A-Rod
NEW YORK (WFAN) -- Alex Rodriguez has endured stints on the disabled list for the past three seasons, only averaging 133 games played from 2008-10. So what's A-Rod's outlook for 2011?
"I don't see 150 out of the question," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said on Sunday.
Rodriguez hasn't played in 150 regular season games since 2007. That year A-Rod won the AL MVP, batting .314 with 54 home runs and 156 runs batted in over 157 games.
"It starts with games played as the starting point," Rodriguez said. "You need to post up a high number. I think 150 is always a good starting point. Without that, obviously you can't do some of the special things that happened in '07 and other years."
Thanks to Yankees hitting coach Kevin Long, A-Rod is mashing once again.
"The one thing I have noticed with him is I am lot more consistent, more fluid and crisp," Rodriguez said.
This spring, Rodriguez is hitting a blistering .404 with 6 home runs and 14 runs batted in.
"He has been phenomenal. On a scale of 1 to 10, he has been a 10 every day," Long said. "He showed in spring training he is ready to go, maybe more ready than anybody on the team."
With all the commotion over his hot spring, is A-Rod ready to hold himself to 2007 standards?
"That was fun; I slept good every night that year," Rodriguez said. "Those are years that you look up and you're like, 'Holy s---! That's not normal.' It's one of those years that you're so flattered by and very happy about, but to use that as a barometer, that would be tough. I don't want to set myself up for failure, that's for sure."
But enough about '07. A-Rod is ready to help the Bombers this season.
"I think overall what I'm doing now, I'm enjoying the game and I think I'm going to help the team win this year," he said. "I think the team overall is in a good place."
What kind of season do you expect from A-Rod? Add your thoughts to the fray below...
