TAMPA, Fla. — Alex Rodriguez described himself Friday as being “at ease” for the start of spring training, a significant difference from a year ago, when he was coming off a season-long suspension and some questioned whether he would even make the team.
That question will not be asked this year, though there are still plenty regarding the 40-year-old designated hitter.
Among the most prevalent: Can Rodriguez duplicate, or come close to duplicating, his output from last season, one A-Rod himself described as a “Cinderella” year?
Alan Cockrell, who served as the Yankees’ assistant hitting coach last season and was elevated to the top position for this season, said that based on what he’s seen, he believes A-Rod can.