Which A-Rod Will Show Up This Year?

Throughout history, the Yanks have always had one of the best offenses in the bigs. It doesn't matter whether we're talking about the Ruth years, or the Mantle years, or even today. The Yanks aren't nicknamed the "Bombers" for no reason.

Last year, the Yankees did not disappoint. They were in the top ten in runs scored, batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage. But like previous years, this was no surprise. How could a team sporting players like Derek Jeter, Curtis Granderson, Mark Teixeira, and Robinson Cano hit poorly?

The real surprise was Alex Rodriguez. Despite having many nagging injuries, A-Rod had a somewhat successful 2010 campaign with 30HRs and 125RBIs. He was elected to his 13th All-Star appearance, and finished 10th in the voting for the MVP. Compared to his other seasons this wasn't spectacular, but he still put up good production for a clean-up hitter, helping the Yanks reach the ALCS.

After a much needed offseason, A-Rod looked like he was in great shape to come out and hit like he did in previous years. He was finally healthy (or so we thought), and it looked like his problems of the past were behind him. And of course, A-Rod came out and mashed the ball in spring, not lowering our expectations one bit. A-Rod hit .388 with 6HRs 15RBIs in 18 games in Florida, giving some people the urge to award him his 4th MVP already.

But, from there everything seemed to go wrong. A-Rod started off with a sub-par 2011, hitting .295 with 13HRs and 52RBIs prior to the All-Star break. Despite not having awful production, A-Rod experienced a lack of power. He had a slugging percentage of .485 and went through a stretch of not hitting a homer for 82 at-bats.

It only got worse. Despite being elected to his 14th All-Star game, A-Rod was forced to skip the game and undergo surgery on a torn meniscus in his right knee, forcing him to sit out for over a month. To make matters worse, A-Rod was also accused off playing in illegal underground poker games, although it was immediately shook off. A-Rod was never able to regain his form after coming back, hitting a measly .195 in 68 at-bats with only 3HRs and 10RBIs.

But this year it could all change. Taking the advice of Kobe Bryant, A-Rod flew to Germany to have a procedure done on his knee to help him regain his power and end his lingering injury problems. Rodriguez says he feels really good about his knee, and feels like this is his time to return to hitting like he did when he won 3 MVPs. Looking to slot into the cleanup spot like always, we'll get to see if A-Rod can provide the middle of the lineup pop the Yankees pay him for and lead the Yanks to a 28th World Series title.