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What if the Yankees never traded for Alex Rodriguez?

Few Yankees are more divisive than Alex Rodriguez. He’s the best-hitting third baseman in franchise history, but became a scapegoat for the team’s postseason failures during his early years with the club, before reversing the narrative in 2009. Tension between he and Derek Jeter created an awkward clubhouse vibe, and his twice-admitted use of steroids tarnished his reputation.

Although Rodriguez has remarkably improved his reputation as a commentator post-playing career, his long, strange journey with the Yankees is worth re-examining during SB Nation’s “What If?” Week. In part one, we’ll look at the 2004 trade between the Yankees and Rangers that originally netted Rodriguez, while in part two, we’ll dive into his subsequent 2007 contract extension.