The Alex Rodriguez era appears to be coming to a close in the Bronx.
The 2009 World Series champion and 14-time MLB All-Star has seen his playing time diminish significantly this season and manager Joe Girardi didn't exactly do much to quell the belief that the trend will continue.
Rodriguez, who turned 41 last month, had a tremendous season in 2015, hitting 33 home runs after sitting out a year for his connection to the Biogenesis clinic and a PED scandal. In 2016, he has been limited to a designated hitter role and barely used at all.
Girardi said he doesn't envision Rodriguez, who has had just 38 at-bats since July 1, receiving many more chances at the plate, which could be a sign of worse things to come for him.
"In maybe the near future, do I see him getting a ton of at-bats? No, I probably don't because of some of the changes that we're possibly going to make here,'' Girardi said Tuesday, according to ESPN. "We're going to take a look at probably some younger players here a little bit."
Rodriguez has slashed a woeful .204/.252/.356 this season with nine homers and 29 RBIs and has 65 strikeouts through 62 games this season. The slugger is set to make $21 million in 2017, after which he intends to retire.
Retirement may come early for A-Rod, however, as the Yankees could release him and eat the money.
The three-time AL MVP signed a 10-year, $252 million contract with the Yankees back in 2007 and has been reassured they won't release him early, but he still has to address the possibility his days are numbered.
''No matter what happens, I'm at peace with myself,'' Rodriguez said via ESPN. "I think I still can contribute. I think I can help out in the clubhouse. But if not I have two beautiful daughters waiting for me in Miami.''
Rodriguez is part of a Yankees team that found itself in a rare position this year at the trade deadline: They were sellers.
New York revamped its farm system and turned it into one of the deepest in the league, trading such big pieces as Carlos Beltran (Rangers), Aroldis Chapman (Cubs) and Andrew Miller (Indians).
The Yankees enter their third straight Subway Series game against the cross-town rival Mets on Wednesday with a 53-53 record, placing them 7.5 games behind the first-place Orioles in the AL East and 5.5 games back in the Wild Card hunt.
After many accolades, which may be tainted in the eyes of many due to his PED connection, Rodriguez would be content if there was no tomorrow in the Bronx.
"Look, I've had a long career," he said. "I've been through a lot. I'm happy to be a Yankee. I love New York. I think I have a lot to contribute still. But you have to be realistic.''
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