Alex Rodríguez dice que los Yanquis serán grandes, sin Cliff Lee

Los fanáticos de los Yanquis quedaron un poco decepcionados porque no pudieron firmar a Cliff Lee.

Pero Alex Rodríguez les tiene un mensaje.

"Vamos a esta bien, sin Cliff Lee".

"Realmente nos decepcionó un poco, pero así es la agencia libre. Hay que seguir adelante", agregó.

Reporte en inglés

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New York Yankees will be just fine without Cliff Lee, Alex Rodriguez says

BY Roger Rubin

DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

Sipkin/NewsAlex Rodriguez believes he will have a big offensive year for the New York Yankees in 2011. Related NewsLupica: It's time for Alex to be GreatBoss celebrates his B-day in TampaMadden: In year of big surprises, Yankees look hopelessKing Felix's reign in Seattle not overRivera: Andy should've been first call Raissman: Lee's curve fools mediaYankees fans weren't the only ones upset to learn that Cliff Lee had opted for the Phillies over the Bombers this month. Alex Rodriguez was looking forward to seeing the lefty ace suiting up in pinstripes.

"Everyone in the organization was disappointed to some extent," he said in a telephone interview from Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. "We were all looking forward to playing alongside him. It was unexpected, but when it comes to free agency, you sometimes have to expect the unexpected."

Fans, he suggested, should feel the same way about the potential in the Yankees farm system.

"There's a lot of talent there and people are always stepping up," he said. "Look at what Phil Hughes did for us - he basically competed for the Cy Young. He's going to be someone we can count on. And (Ivan) Nova has a good arm too. I expect a lot from him.

"But the one reason I don't worry is I know the organization and I know the Steinbrenners. We already have a very good team. Last year we didn't play to our potential and we were still just a couple wins short of the World Series. If there's something they feel we need, they're going to go out and get it."

Rodriguez went to Colorado last month for a checkup with Dr. Marc Philippon and got some good news. The surgeon who repaired his torn hip labrum said the joint is sound and that "he is optimistic I will have a healthy and productive season next year," A-Rod said. The doctor also said Rodriguez would no longer have to proceed cautiously in his offseason training regimen.

"I had changed a lot of my routine after the injury," Rodriguez said. "He assured me I can go back to doing things the way I always have. That was good to know."

Rodriguez has always trained year-round, but after turning 30 he increased the regimen somewhat. He marvels at how Mariano Rivera has defied time, remaining baseball's most effective closer even though he turned 41 last month.

"The story that epitomizes Mo for me happened three or four years ago at spring training when they had everyone doing all this (physical) testing," Rodriguez said. "There were 60 or 70 players there, some right out of college. And who had the highest vertical jump? Mariano Rivera at age 38. He's just incredible."