TAMPA — Judging from Alex Rodriguez's eyes when the possibility of attempting to play first base surfaced, Joe Girardi is convinced the disgraced slugger is on board with an idea that would give the Yankees lineup flexibility.
"He is willing to do anything,'' Girardi said after talking face-to-face with Rodriguez at George M. Steinbrenner Field on Wednesday. "He said, 'I am here to do anything to help this team win.' So, he is willing to do it.''
Earlier in the week, Rodriguez said he has never taken a ground ball at first base. However, Girardi said that won't be trouble if he decides to test Rodriguez, who finished a physical before going to the minor league complex to work out, at the position.
"I don't think the actual catching and throwing will be a problem. It's knowing how to come off the base and be prepared. Knowing where to be on cuts and relays,'' said Girardi, who has Mark Teixeira and Garrett Jones to play first base. "Alex studies the game so I think he can pick that up.''
Asked if Rodriguez apologized to him for being suspended last season for his involvement in the Biogenesis scandal, Girardi said, "That sort of thing, I will keep between us.''
Rodriguez's introduction to first base might come in the minor league complex on a day he isn't in the lineup for a big league exhibition game.
"We talked about what our goals are in spring training and I told him I would get him as many at-bats as I could that he could physically handle,'' said Girardi, who added Rodriguez would play some third base.
If Rodriguez hits six home runs and ties Willie Mays for fourth on the MLB all-time home run list at 660, the Yankees remain confident they won't have to pay him a $6 million bonus even though the clause is included in the 10-year, $275 million contract Rodriguez signed following the 2007 season.
"The language is pretty clear," said a person with knowledge of the contract, which describes the possible $30 million in bonuses for milestones.
The Yankees believe Rodriguez's involvement in the Biogenesis mess that led to a year's suspension, the longest for performance-enhancing drugs in baseball history, means tying Mays no longer has any "milestone value.''
In addition to $6 million for tying Mays, Rodriguez could collect $6 million for matching Babe Ruth's 714 homers, Hank Aaron's 755 and Barry Bonds' 762, and for eclipsing Bonds' all-time record.
Alex Rodriguez signs an autograph for a fan after his workout Wednesday.Photo: N.Y. Post: Charles Wenzelberg
At this point, there is no guarantee Rodriguez will play another big league game. He will be 40 in July, is operating on two surgically repaired hips, and has played in 44 games the past two seasons and no games since 2013.
Even if Rodriguez plays the final three years of the deal (worth $61 million) it's
hard to see him hitting 54 more homers to tie Ruth's 714.
Since surfacing Monday at the Yankees' minor league camp, Rodriguez has been coy about questions relating to Biogenesis and the milestone issue.
If Rodriguez reaches 660 and the Yankees refuse to hand him $6 million, Rodriguez could fight it. However, that could lead him to having to talk about his Biogenesis involvement, which he has been reluctant to do since starting workouts.
Masahiro Tanaka will throw his third bullpen session of the spring on Thursday at GMS Field.
"I haven't seen him hold back, I didn't see him hold back in his bullpen the other day,'' Girardi said of the right-hander, who is coming back from a small tear of the ulnar collateral ligament and rehabbed it instead of undergoing Tommy John surgery.
"I think he feels pretty good about it."
If Rodriguez doesn't remember Jeff Pentland, it won't sour the relationship between him and new Yankees hitting coach.
"I talked to him once [since being hired],'' said Pentland, who was the hitting coach for the Cubs, Royals, Mariners and Dodgers. "Whether he remembers me or not, I don't think is important. I am here now and we will definitely have a relationship. Hopefully, a good one.''
Pentland has not worked with Rodriguez yet since Rodriguez worked out at the minor league complex Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. The first full-squad workout is Thursday at GMS Field.
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