Yankees' Miller blown away by A-Rod's advanced insights

Alex Rodriguez will go down as one of baseball's best hitters, and according to New York Yankees teammate Andrew Miller, A-Rod also possesses one of the greatest minds in the game.

"I've been blown away by Alex Rodriguez," Miller told David Laurila of Fangraphs. "Does he have any desire to manage in the major leagues? He's made something like $400 million in his career, so maybe not. But the way he sees the game has blown me away. You hear our hitters talk about his insights, whether it's pitch sequencing or lineup matters. Whatever it may be, Alex has a really advanced grasp."

At 40 years old, Rodriguez is one of only 29 players to reach the 3,000-hit plateau. The three-time AL MVP also sits fourth on the all-time home runs list.

Despite his off-field issues, including being forced to serve a one-year suspension for using performance-enhancing drugs, Rodriguez has long been renowned as one of the game's best teammates.

Rodriguez has spent time with Greg Bird, one of the Yankees' promising young players who'll miss the entire 2016 season following shoulder surgery.

"Some of the things that he told us still is some of the best advice I've ever gotten as a hitter, just as far as professional baseball went," Bird said last spring.

A-Rod enjoyed a productive season last year with 33 homers, but knows his time in the majors is coming to an end. Because of that, he's made it even more a priority to mentor some of the team's younger players.

"I just think it's important to be available for the younger guys," Rodriguez told Steven Marcus of Newsday. "Carlos (Beltran) is terrific with young hitters. We're the two seniors in the room along with (Mark Teixeira). It's important for players to help each other out."