A-Rod Options

A couple of high-profile options for Alex Rodriguez were discussed in the papers today.  A-Rod's hitting like a madman, which brings his opt-out clause to the forefront even though it's April 20th.

Gerry Callahan of the Boston Herald has "no doubt" that the Red Sox will make a run at Rodriguez after this season.  It does make plenty of sense - the Sox proved they'd pay a ridiculous amount for star power with the Daisuke Matsuzaka bidding.  They've got the open slot at third base with Mike Lowell leaving.  And they almost acquired Rodriguez in 2003.  Basically, all the talking points you're going to hear between now and when he signs somewhere. 

Some salary should come off the books for Boston after this season: Curt Schilling at $13MM, Matt Clement at $9.5MM, Mike Lowell at $9MM, Eric Hinske at $2.8MM, Joel Pineiro at $4MM, Julian Tavarez at $3.1MM.  Of course, the Sox need to replace some of these guys, but they could be subtracting $40MM.  There is room for a marquee addition, and it could be on offense.  I could see a big push to sign A-Rod and John Smoltz, if he'll leave Atlanta.

Another possibility is the Phillies.  Would Phils fans really show the love to A-Rod, as Nick Fierro suggests?  I feel like they could turn on him pretty quickly.  Then again, there's no reason Rodriguez wouldn't tear up the National League and give them nothing to boo about.  The Phils could lose Freddy Garcia at $10MM, Jon Lieber at $7.5MM, and Aaron Rowand at $4.35MM.  They are also paying $7MM towards Jim Thome's salary this year.  I just don't see the Phillies winning the bidding for a free agent superstar, however.  They wouldn't pony up for Alfonso Soriano or Carlos Lee this winter.   

The Red Sox and Phillies are just two of many teams thought to be interested in Rodriguez.  Despite the money, the list is huge and may also include the Angels, Dodgers, White Sox, Cubs, Giants, Diamondbacks, and Indians.

Comments

[UndeniableMagistrate]

The Indians? Really? I would love to have ARod in Cleveland, but how on earth could the Tribe afford him?

[JerseyMetFan]

Throw him at 2B. Do it Omar.....

[ae]

no chance in hell Rodriguez goes to Philly, but in our franchise's defense, the contracts Soriano and Lee got were flat-out stupid. Rodriguez is actually worth albatross money - those two are not.

[Scott™]

No way Cashman let's him slip away. As much as I'd like to see him in Wrigley the Yankees only pay 16 mill per year for him thanks to Tom Hicks. My bet is they extend him.

[WestCoastBias]

With Lowell and Clement off the books, that's $18 million alone to throw at ARod as Clement won't need a replacement. If Hansen and Delcarmen progress to become major league ready, then Pineiro's $4 million is open too. It makes more then enough sense for the Red Sox to go after him if he opts out.

[boomshwa12]

in defense of carlos lee, he's one of the hottest hitters in the league right now. it's still an absurd deal, but it isn't a complete waste of money

[you actually believe this?]

You have got to be kidding that the most renowned franchise is all of sports will rid itself of the best active HITTING 3B in baseball. The Yankees are not going to let A-Rod leave, nor will he want to leave after he collects his 3rd MVP title; in Pinstripes.

[GoBoSox420]

The truth is no one knows what will happen. It's still early in the season, Arod is controlled by Boras etc etc

Stop talking as if you know what is going to happen. You just sound like an idiot.(this goes to anyone who enjoys playing armchair gm but doesnt realize their words mean nothing)

[Scott™]

I look at it this way. Arod will take the money. That is what his and Boras' history have told us. Say he opts out. His contract would be somewhere around 6/140. For the Yankees to match that they would only have to spend 113 since Hicks is on the hook for 9mil a season for the rest of his existing contract. So the Yankees essentially have a 27 million advantage over any other team bidding for his services. The only way he leaves is if he truly wants out of NY.

[DownFromNJ]

To me, it makes sense for the Yankees to try and extend his contract in return for him waiving the opt-out clause.

1. Alex Rodriguez is owed 81 million over the 2008, 2009, and 2010, which will be his age 33, 34, and 35 seasons.

2. The current concern from Alex's perspective is that he will not get a long term deal at age 35, and it would be best for him financially to opt out and get a 120 million or so dollar deal until his age 38 season.

3. Do the math. Rodriguez is owed 27 million dollars in 2008, 2009, and 2010. If he were to recieve the best-case 8 year deal worth 19 million dollars, he's make 152 million until his 40th birthday. He would have to average 16 million per year in a contract extension to match that. I can easily see the Yankees offering that extension.

[GoBoSox420]

umm if he opts out of his contract and signs a new contract how the hell are the rangers still on the hook

[you actually believe this?]

regardless of if he opts out or not, the rangers are responsible for the remainder of his salary.

[ArodSucksAtLife]

"regardless of if he opts out or not, the rangers are responsible for the remainder of his salary."

Read what you just said.

[nickname]

"regardless of if he opts out or not, the rangers are responsible for the remainder of his salary."

It's true, if ARod goes to work at Burger King with Keith Foulke the Rangers have to pay his salary. They also have to chip in by paying for 33% of the food he eats on the clock.

[jd]

my understanding was that if arod opts out the rangers are off the hook since that what would null the contract dumbass tom hicks gave him.

[touchmymonkey]

"regardless of if he opts out or not, the rangers are responsible for the remainder of his salary."
Using that logic - wouldn't the yankees owe him for their share of the contract too? Do the Dodgers still pay Drew? If he opts out that means he walks away from the contract and it is void from that day on - noone owes him anything but previously agreed to deferments - thats why its called opting out. If he is traded I beleive Texas is off the hook as well - i am not sure by any means but I think their deal is with the yankees, meaning they give the Yanks x amount of money to make up for his salary and tax penalties. Like I said I do not know one way or the other about that aspect of his deal

[nrmax88]

"No way Cashman let's him slip away. As much as I'd like to see him in Wrigley the Yankees only pay 16 mill per year for him thanks to Tom Hicks. My bet is they extend him."

Well, if Arod is set on leaving, there is not a damn thing that Cashman can do. He doesnt need an extension, he has 3 more years left on his deal if he stays in NY. Arod holds the cards pretty much. If he wants to stay, thats fine, if he wants out, theres atleast 10 other teams who want him in and will show him the money.

[nrmax88]

Scott bro.... your arguement is retarded, if he opts out, the yankees and the rangers both owe him nothing more then what hes already made. The Yankees get no 27 million dollar advantage, nothing of the sort. He would get a whole new contract from another team.

[ArodSucksAtLife]

On a completely drunken tangent, it is amazing listening/talking to red sox fans at bars around new england, and how many of them are actually kind of rooting for A-rod and hoping he ends up here next year. Obviously on a purely objective scale anyone would want that unbelievably talented freak on their team but with the hatred from the V-Tek fight, and the Arroyo swatting, not to mention those god awful pin stripes he's been wearing for the last couple years, it is amazing. That being said they are hoping he hits 80 bombs, but the mother f*&%#ng yankees end up 10 games back. Basically if what happens tonight happens for the rest of the year, that would be sweet.

[Projekt]

My understanding is this:
If A-Rod was to opt out, the rangers would still owe some money, as they deferred part of his salary, and that includes the years he was with the Yankees...
From Cots:
"Rodriguez agreed to defer $45M in salary to 2011-20 at 3% (later reduced)"

So they will still be paying him in the future.

[lih]

New York can give him an extension on top of his current contract without him opting out, so they would still get the money from texas. So they have an advantage now, but if they wait until he opts out they'll lose it.

[bravesrule14]

if he were 2 opt out then neither the rangers or the yankees would owe him money becuz that cintract would be over and he waould hav a new contract witha different team.

[Baseballfan79]

I would take him in miami if we could get rid of our owner. I am sure he wouldnt mind coming on home to here and all. But, that said I think he is extended with the yankees and stays there

[Nutsacjac]

The Phillies would sign him, then put him into the bullpen.

[nrmax88]

LOL

[allabouthephils]

If the Phillies signed him next season, they would have one of the best infields ever essembled...

Howard, Utley, Rollins, Rodriguez, and Ruiz full time... It gives me chills just thinking about it....

Resign rowand, stick Bourn in left full time, dump Burrell for a rosin bag and have Victorino in right full time... Then you could have the lightest hitting outfield in baseball and it wouldn't matter... As long as they could run like the wind, throw runners out, and cover massive amounts of ground... Man oh man.... But wait, we still couldn't pitch....