Empire Writes Back
Fansided

New York Yankees: Creating an all-time starting lineup

By Michael Pallas

NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 12: Alex Rodriguez #13 of the New York Yankees grounds out to the shortstop to lead off the bottom of the fourth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays on August 12, 2016 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Christopher Pasatieri/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 12: Alex Rodriguez #13 of the New York Yankees grounds out to the shortstop to lead off the bottom of the fourth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays on August 12, 2016 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Christopher Pasatieri/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 12: Alex Rodriguez #13 of the New York Yankees grounds out to the shortstop to lead off the bottom of the fourth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays on August 12, 2016 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Christopher Pasatieri/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 12: Alex Rodriguez #13 of the New York Yankees grounds out to the shortstop to lead off the bottom of the fourth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays on August 12, 2016 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Christopher Pasatieri/Getty Images) /

Let the outrage begin. “HOW CAN YOU KEEP DEREK JETER OUT OF THIS LINEUP! HE’S THE CAPTAIN!” That’s what most, if not all of you are thinking at this moment.

I know that Alex Rodriguez played third base for the Yankees, but looking back on it, we know the right thing to do would’ve been to start him at shortstop. So that’s what I will do, right the wrong that was done when the Yankees signed him.

While he only played two games at shortstop for the Yankees, it should have been much more. His career fielding percentage of .977 as a shortstop (compared to .968 at 3B) and his slash line of .308/.382/.581 as a shortstop (compared to .293/.388/.539 at 3B) proves he should’ve been the shortstop all along.

He may not have played shortstop for the Yankees, but he should have. So, instead of making it just about where he played when he was with the team, let’s make it about putting him in the best position for the team to win, and that’s clearly shortstop. Derek Jeter was a great player, but he’s the one who should’ve moved and not A-Rod. Since Yankee history is about winning, then this is how it should be.

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