Alex Rodriguez to become singles hitter, will work on it during playoffs

BRONX, NY — Yankees third baseman and surefire 2007 MVP Alex Rodriguez has decided that he’s going to become a spray hitter in 2008, and will work on refining his skills during the 2007 playoffs.

“Hitting homers is all well and good,” A-Rod said Tuesday, “But the really great hitters of our time are guys that put the ball in play and get on base for their team. And I want to be considered one of the great hitters of all time. So I’m going to use the 2007 playoffs as a time to work on expanding my skills and really getting better at moving the ball around the field.”

Aside from singles hitting, Rodriguez will also be working on making productive outs in the playoffs this year. “I don’t care if I make four or five outs a game,” Rodriguez said. “As long as they are productive, you know. In the playoffs, you’ll see me come up with a runner on second, and all I’m going to be looking to do is to hit a grounder to second base. If it gets through, fine, all the better. But if not, at least that runner is going to have a chance to move over.”

Rodriguez has also declared that he’s going to aiming for fly ball outs during the postseason, particularly when there are runners on base who can advance. He’s also promised to work on his sacrifice bunting, and beating out infield singles.

“I’m just looking to put pressure on the defense,” A-Rod said. “When I come up, I want them to feel like they are going to have to make a play. I want them to know that if they throw the ball over to first, sure, they are going to get an out, but we’re going to have a runner in scoring position for Godzilla. I’m gonna be a table setter.”

Yankee management was excited about the prospects of Rodriguez becoming a better overall hitter. “Look, we’d love Alex to be getting on base, making things happen, putting the ball in play,” Joe Torre said. “He’s gonna make four or five outs per game in the playoffs anyway, so they might as well be productive.”

Rodriguez, who will likely opt out of his contract and test the free agent market this offseason, thinks that his new approach to hitting will be well received. “If I can make $25 million for hitting 50-plus homers, think of how much I’ll make if I can get 200 hits a year.

“I’m Juan Pierre, in pinstripes!”