The Yanks need to take on a hands-on approach with A-Rod.
AP

George Steinbrenner, in a wheelchair, made an appearance at Yankees spring training this week. Tampa is his home and he has an office at Legends Field, so it wasn't all that surprising to hear the Boss -- or former boss of the Yankees -- showed up.

If Steinbrenner has one last blast in him, it would be rather fitting for him to empty both barrels on third baseman Alex Rodriguez. Fortunately for A-Rod, Steinbrenner is no longer running the team and is probably out of ammo. But George's presence might be able to help put Humpty Dumpty back together.

In hindsight, the Yankees should have done more than simply stand by A-Rod in a show of support. The Steinbrenners and Brian Cashman should have written the script for A-Rod at his press conference to make sure he told the truth and nothing but the truth. Had the Yankees taken a more hands-on approach, chances are A-Rod wouldn't be tangled in more lies concocted by the team of spin doctors he hired.

Since A-Rod is the property of the Yankees, he is their problem. Rather than continue to sit back and watch him further disgrace the pinstripes, the team needs to be less passive in dealing with the situation, because it's only going to get uglier.

A-Rod is a liar, and you can't trust a liar. He has exhibited child-like behavior during this ordeal, therefore he needs to be treated like a child. Hank and Hal Steinbrenner should have a conversation with him that should go something like this:

Hank: "Alex, from now on you're going to say what we tell you to say. And if you refuse to, you risk having your contract voided as well as your career. Got it? I'm not Tom Hicks. We want to know the truth"

Hal: "My father is right down the hall."

If that doesn't force A-Rod to tell the truth, nothing will.