Yankee Brass Upset With A-Rod

From Bob Raissman:

Certain members of the Yankees high command are very, very angry with Alex Rodriguez.

No one likes being deceived, especially these suits. They are furious over A-Rod hanging them out to dry, not immediately informing them he had been contacted by the FBI to testify in a matter concerning Anthony Galea, the Canadian doctor linked to the importing of illegal drugs.

"They (Yankees brass) don't like being blindsided," said a TV industry source who deals with the Yankees and YES. "If Rodriguez isn't protecting the organization paying him a fortune, why should the organization go out of its way to protect him?"

Raissman then went on to describe how the YES execs must have enjoyed the way YES covered his first at-bat of the spring. Explaining that YES took a very different approach than they have in the past, when they would usually ignore stuff like this. Instead, Michael Kay and Kenny Singleton spoke about the story. (For the quotes, check out the article.)

I can't completely disagree, although I wouldn't go as far as saying the YES booth was particularly hard on A-Rod. Sure, they mentioned it, but honestly, they wouldn't be doing their job if they didn't.

Raissman continues:

Highlighting tales of syringes and shady characters is not good for the Yankees brand. This time around, though, although it's "just" about him having to talk to the FBI, A-Rod was not provided cover. For YES, this was a radical departure. It indicates the depth of anger here. While there's no evidence Kay and Singleton were ordered by the higher-ups to highlight this so early in the telecast, you can be sure, absolutely sure, none of the Yankee higher-ups called their counterparts at YES to complain.

"At first they (Yankees execs) thought the media was blowing this up (out of proportion)," an MLB source said. "Then they found out he (Rodriguez) is being called in (by the FBI) to testify and this was coming directly from the feds. Thanks to Alex, the Yankees were caught off guard."

Now, there is concern over this FBI situation - and where it will lead. Whenever players are called to testify under oath, there's always the risk they can get caught up in perjury charges, as was the case with Barry Bonds and Miguel Tejada. There's also concern that A-Rod may be backsliding into his days of scandal and turmoil.

"They (Yankee officials) are concerned this stuff is going to start happening all over again," the source said. "They are not happy. He's been in camp, what, a week? First he gets in the papers for his Maybach thing (fender bender). Then comes this FBI thing. They're wishing he would have stayed with Kate Hudson."

Regarding the Yankees brass being upset with A-Rod, I completely understand that. If I owned a company, of any sort, and one of my employees did something behind my back that could make the company look bad I'd be pissed too.