"Brian Cashman expects Alex Rodriguez to bounce back with an A-Rod-type season in 2012, but the GM wondered Tuesday whether the Yankees might have been better off in the AL division series with Eric Chavez playing third base.

"You could argue he would have had a better division series than A-Rod because A-Rod just never got healthy enough," Cashman said. "Chavy might have been a better option there at the end. But we'll get the real A-Rod back this year because obviously he'll have a full spring training. If he stays healthy, he'll be great.""