How Yankees' Alex Rodriguez already opened Joe Girardi's eyes

Just fours days into position player workouts and Yankees manager Joe Girardi already likes what he sees from Alex Rodriguez.

And, actually, Girardi said he believes Rodriguez looks better than he did this time last year. 

"He's probably a little bit further along this point than he was last year," Girardi told reporters Saturday at George M. Steinbrenner Field. "But I think he has a better understanding of what it took and what it takes and what he needs to be able to do."

Last season, nobody in the organization would admit to having expectations for A-Rod.

Rodriguez hadn't played in a year, thanks to an unprecedented performance-enhancing drug suspension.

He was also not far from turning 40 years old and he has two surgically repaired hips.

But it all worked out, and then some. As the Yankees' full-time designated hitter for the first time in his career, Rodriguez helped carry the lineup through the first half and through July. But he got exhausted in August and played poorly in September, leading to a rough end. Still, Rodriguez clobbered 33 homers, drove in 86 runs and hit .250 — way better statistics than many projected.

Now, Girardi said, he looks even better. One of the reasons, the manager said, is because Rodriguez knows what he has to do to stay fresh in his new role as DH.

"We were trying and running him out to the field last year," Girardi said, "and there were things that we were doing — I think he got a little bit sore at times. Just like any normal infielder would. But he doesn't have to deal with that this year."

Rodriguez's batting practice sessions have drawn the most attention out of anybody's in camp. Not just for fans, either. Coaches and front office members have lined the team's batting cage to watch the 40-year-old's swing.

"He's ready to go," Girardi said. "He looks healthy. He's strong."