Why Alex Rodriguez could be the next to go in the Yankees' purge

Now that the Yankees have thrown in the towel on the 2016 season, just how much time does Alex Rodriguez have left in pinstripes?

Gone are Aroldis Chapman, Andrew Miller, Carlos Beltran and Ivan Nova, all exchanged for a boatload of promising young talent. That means there might be no need for a 41-year-old, part-time DH who is hitting just .205 with a .358 slugging percentage -- even if that player is set to make $21 million next year and still is owed the remainder of his $21 million salary for this season.

Yes, A-Rod’s days could be numbered, as the New York Daily News reports the three-time AL MVP might be released before the end of this season.

“I hope not,” Rodriguez told the Daily News. “I want to play and think I can make a difference on the field and in the clubhouse.”

GM Brian Cashman, who will make the ultimate call on Rodriguez’s future, had this to say:

A-Rod could help his own cause now that he figures to get more at-bats at DH with Beltran gone. Of course, he’s done little to help his own cause recently, going 3 for 29 with one RBI since the All-Star break.