This hasn’t been the greatest of off seasons for Alex Rodriguez. He has been divorced, was criticized in Joe Torre’s book, admitted his steroid use and now needs hip surgery. Just like the old Army recruiting commercials, Alex does more before the regular season than most people do all year.

What does the A-Rod injury mean to the Yankees? The Yankees are already dealing with injuries to important offensive players Hideki Matsui and Jorge Posada. If both are healthy, that lessens any missed time with Alex out of the lineup.

First, there has to be a determination of what is the extent of the injury. There is a cyst on the hip which was caused by the bad labrum. That cyst has been aspirated (drained of fluid) and Alex will be evaluated over the next couple of days. If the cyst needs to be removed (as quoted by Alex’s brother - yet another member of Camp Alex), then he will miss up to 10 weeks.

But, if the injury is worse and the labrum needs to be repaired, then the time missed will be up to 4 months.  Power hitters with a high degree of hip rotation are heavily affected by this type of injury. It is the same time injury which Boston Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell (10/20/08) and Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Chase Utley (11/24/08) recently had. Lowell is expected to play in games starting next week and Utley has been taking ground balls and batting practice. Utley has stated, “I am getting closer and I am on schedule to be in the lineup Opening Day.”

So, if Alex decided to have surgery on his hip labrum tomorrow, he would be back by July or the All Star break. His return mid season would be similar to making a big deadline trade.

Knowing this is a big season for the Yankees, Alex will try to play through the injury. Both Lowell and Utley played through it (Utley even into the World Series) until both needed the surgery. Alex had his first indication that his hip was bothersome last season when he had a MRI for his strained quadriceps and “an irregularity” showed up in his hip.

Now, the hip is worse than last year and will only get worse as the grind of the baseball season progresses. Either Alex needs to play third base this season (just like Jorge Posada needs to catch) or Alex needs to have the surgery. DH is out. There are too many on the Yankees already.

But, knowing this is a big season for the Yankees, especially after missing the playoffs last season, Alex will try to play through the injury until it proves too painful, or his production significantly declines. Hip rotation is necessary for power and Alex has already started to complain this spring that his power is not there.

But, if Alex decides on surgery, who will play third base?

Cody Ransom has been the most discussed. He has a small sampling of major league time, including a pretty good performance with the Yankees last season (.320/.400/.651 in 43 at bats). He did have four 20+ HR seasons at Triple A, including 22 for Scranton before last season’s call up. His high mark for a season is 28 homers, not bad, but can he do it for an extended time? Probably. But if he plays any extended time, will his deficiencies be uncovered?

What about Mark Teixeira for third base? Tex played third base at Georgia Tech, came up with the Texas Rangers as a third baseman, but switched to first because Hank Blalock was the Rangers third baseman at the time. Because Teixeira reached the majors in such a quick fashion, he only played 85 games at third base in the minors and only 15 while with Texas.

That won’t happen, even with the versatile Nick Swisher then playing first base.

The Yankees should go with Ransom to begin the season, but the Yankees could also make a trade for a lefty hitting third baseman in order to platoon with Ransom as needed. This player would not cost a lot.

The Yankees should trade and trade for Brian Buscher of the Minnesota Twins. He was brought up to the Twins mid-season in 2008, and hit .294/.340./.390 with an OPS+ of 100 - exactly average, but he did knock in 47 runs in only 218 at bats! He also raked in AAA Rochester before his call up to a tune of a .916 OPS with 8 homers. He will be 29 this season, prime age to improve on his brief major league experience.

Buscher wouldn’t cost much either. You could likely get him for a ML pitcher - such as Ian Kennedy or Alfredo Aceves, but I would try to send over a two minor league pitchers who names are not Mark Melancon, Zach McAllister or Dellin Betances.

The Yankees will rest Alex, evaluate over the weekend, try to stregthen the hip muscles and see if he can play. If the surgery is required - DO IT NOW and get him back by the All-Star break.

The 2009 season is too important for Alex to play mediocre all season due to his injury, and a platoon of Buscher and Ransom (which would free up Ransom more towards his utility role) would help the Yankees in A-Rod’s absence.