Yankeetorial: The Biogenesis scandal may be the best thing that could have happened to A-Rod

Lately, there has been a lot of blogger blather about how desperately everyone wants A-Rod banned for much, if not all, of 2014. The team will save money. Woopie. The way some talk, you'd think the money went into their pockets, instead of HAL 9000's.

I have a different opinion: The Yankees are in the best conceivable position,  considering the mountain of gold they foisted upon dear Alex a few moons ago. Think this through with me...

Last year, A-Rod's on field performance was helped by the Biogenesis scandal. He missed most of the season due to double hip surgery. When he returned, he hit .244 with 7 HR in about 160 at bats. Over a full season, that would project to 20-25 HR - not a great year, but better than anybody else we had at 3B. And, frankly, better than Stephen Drew.

So what if Biogenesis never happened?

Well, for starters, A-Rod likely would have spent more time flirting with actresses, ESPN hosting gigs, Miley Cyrus, experimental drug therapies, Kardashians, Tiger Woods, space flights, Buddhism, reincarnation, the search for Bigfoot, and maybe even the movies. (Hey, if The Rock can do it...) Think of all the distractions... which he did not have.

And now, probably never will.

Today, Alex Rodriguez has nothing going beyond the Yankees, aside from dodging paparazzi, releasing old emails, and having a cousin clip articles from the Daily News for his next lawsuit.  If banned from baseball, he won't tour with the USO or join Tea Party Curt on Sports Center. And if Alex returns, he damn well better play hard. If he hits .210, the team, the YES Network, and the fans will crucify him on his $28 million per year cross of gold.

Thus, my point: The scandal, the criticism, the pressure - they favor the Yankees. If A-Rod was ever going to add 30 pounds or cut a rap album, those options are gone. He has four years left on his contract. He must hit, he must field, he must chase the one outcome - as far fetched as it looks - that might save his name: Leading the Yankees to a World Series.

And if he's banned for half of 2014? We save the money, plus, let's face it: At his age, A-Rod wasn't going to last 160 games anyway.

No matter what happens, HAL 9000 will be paying A-Rod's bar tab for years. But you cannot pay a guy to be hungry. And all the king's horses can't buy back a reputation. For better or worse, Alex is chained to the batting cage. I bet he performs better in 2014 than last year. Thank you, Biogenesis!