The A-Rod Story

The tabloid stuff involving Alex Rodriguez really doesn't deserve any more press than it's already gotten, so I'll keep it brief.  I should point out that Stray-Rod has already been suggested in the comments of this post.

It's tough to call Rodriguez's next team, as I imagine he wants to get out of the limelight but play for a contender.  The thing is, small market teams don't typically shell out $200MM contracts.  The Indians or White Sox seem like decent fits.  Chicago media probably wouldn't put that kind of pressure on Rodriguez's personal life, though I wouldn't put it past the Sun-Times.

Barry Rozner likes the fit with the Angels over the Chicago clubs.

 

Comments

[RotoRueter]

I'd consider the Giants a decent fit.

They have the money, but rarely have much of a national stage when Bonds isn't involved.

[WestCoastBias]

Rodriguez would be an interesting fit for the Indians. They're a small market team without any contracts weighing them down. Does anyone realistically think that they'd break the bank for him? He could hold down 3B for the next 5 years and the Indians could offer up a package including Marte for pitching as their offense would be set. A lineup featuring Hafner, Sizemore, Martinez & the next home run king would be unbelievable. Especially considering the payroll would stay under $100 million.

[Baseballfan79]

If florida could afford the contract it would be the perfect place. He is viewed as a hero type down here (beind from here most of his life and also does a lot for charity here). The press here loves him, and the people do as well. IF (big if) they got a contract for a ballpark done before the end of the year they signed him he would be a major draw for the market. Florida is a "go see the show" type of state and he would be that type of player.

That said I think the chances of Cleveland or florida signing him are remote at best.

If he wants to get out of a "big market" going to chicago is the exact opposite of doing that. Look at Ozzie's problems there.

[gtliles]

Big market or not, I think the Angels or Dodgers have to be considered the favorites here. Both need a bat, both have money to spend. I don't think A-Rod's disenchanted with large markets in general - just New York.

[Bwoj20]

RotoRueter, are you insane?! Marte and prospects for A-Rod? Come on now, there are plenty of other teams willing to offer much more than that pathetic package...It would take at least one of Sizemore or Martinez in addition to Marte to make that realistic...I predict the Cubs will get him. And for the record, I am not a sCrUB fan!

[gtliles]

Bwoj, you may want to re-read his post. He wasn't suggesting they trade Marte for A-Rod.

[ptk420biatch]

Why would the yankees want Martinez? And there is no way in hell the indians are trading Sizemore for Arod. Sizemore is a super star that is locked up for a while, and is making 900,000$.

[Dev0]

Bush League all star

[beaminack]

PUT THE PIPE DOWN PPL no one is trading Sizemore for anyone!!

any one else see the brawl that Zambrano got into with Barret

[ArodSucksAtLife]

Wow that is just a whole bunch of nonsense all posted in a row.

[zubes007]

"RotoRueter, are you insane?! Marte and prospects for A-Rod? Come on now, there are plenty of other teams willing to offer much more than that pathetic package...It would take at least one of Sizemore or Martinez in addition to Marte to make that realistic..."

Bwoj20 is an idiot...there isn't a package of players that exists in the Yankees organization that they could deal for Sizemore...unless it was Hughes, Cano, Tabata, and a resigned A-Rod at a decent price...and thats a maybe. Sizemore is one of the 5 most valuable players in trade in baseball.

[jfish26101]

If A-Rod opts out of his contract with the Yankees, I would question what weighs the most on his mind. Winning or money. He has already received a pay day, one the likes that only a hand full of players will ever have a chance of getting. Is New York alone enough to walk away from that?

If he walks away and as image conscious as he is, I almost think he would sign for money around what Pujols took. I could be way off of course and perhaps he will seek even more money but at some point in their careers almost every athlete starts thinking about their legacy. I think A-Rod wants to win. I think he wants to move to a city where there is less spotlight. I could see a team like the Phillies or the Indians or even the Braves if they could manage it. Their new owners could increase payroll. They have a back heavy contract on Hudson and AJ is departing more then likely. I don’t think that is a likely scenario (nor the Phillies) and he really isn’t the type of player the Braves go for but it’s an example. I really feel we might be surprised with what the outcome is if A-Rod does in deed decide to opt out.

Don't get me wrong, he will get paid but I wouldn't be surprised if he takes a rather normal contract to try and win some rings. I personally would love for him to opt out and sign with Boston and stick it to the Yankee fans for how they have treated him. There are clubs that don't see a player of his caliber for 20-30 seasons and that is how they act towards him. A-Rod has his faults but he is a damn good ball player. I'll never understand what NY fans problem is.

Just so people don't jump all over me, I don't see A-Rod coming to the Braves but was using it as an example. I think any team that could free up 12-16 mill could grab him if he felt he had a good chance of winning some rings there.

[jza1218]

Baseballfan79

Just curious, but why do you think Florida would be the perfect place?

They already have Cabrera and Ramirez locked up at 3B and SS respectively.

They already have a plethora of right-handed hitters in those two as well as Dan Uggla and Josh Willingham.

If anything, I think that the Marlins need a left-handed power bat to complement their righty-dominant line-up. They need help there because Jeremy Hermida and/or Mike Jacobs really needs to become more consistent

[jza1218]

Does anyone else think that Houston might be a possibility?

ARod has shown that he's willing to live in Texas during his stint with the Rangers.

That team has shown that it's willing to spend money and with the expiring contracts of Jason Jennings, Craig Biggio, Brad Ausmus and Mark Loretta they free up a lot of salary.

Third base and/or shortstop seem to have openings available depending on whether or not the Astros choose to reinvest in Morgan Ensberg and/or Adam Everett. Defensively, replacing either of them with ARod wouldn't be a negative and the offense is definitely upgraded.

They'd be able to field a line-up of:

1- Chris Burke (2B) Right-handed
2- Mike Lamb/Morgan Ensberg (3B platoon) Left-handed and Right-handed respectively
3- Alex Rodriguez (SS) Right-handed
4- Lance Berkman (1B) Switch-hitter
5- Carlos Lee (LF) Right-handed
6- Luke Scott (RF) Left-handed
7- Hunter Pence (CF) Right-handed
8- Humberto Quintero (C) Right-handed

[jfish26101]

I think anyone that can portray themselves as a contender has a shot as long as they have 12-16 to throw his way. If he opts out, I think that is a clear sign he wants to win. I just don't think a player who is looking for money can walk away from that contract simply because the city treats him bad.

[jfish26101]

Well maybe 14-18...anyhow you get my point.

[jza1218]

I actually think that he'd be leaving for more money in the long-term like JD Drew did.

[jfish26101]

Oh I could definitely be wrong. You should never underestimate the greediness of pro athletes but I just think at some point he is going to have to decide between really winning or just getting paid and maybe winning. If he can’t win with the Yankees which is the only team that can shell out that kind of contract and still field a contender around him then I think he is going to have to take less to win elsewhere.

[boomshwa12]

i would love for arod to come to houston, but i doubt it would happen. the team already has around 40 million tied up in oswalt, berkman and lee. i doubt they would want to add another huge contract to that mix. i think they'd like to resign jennings too.

then again i suppose its possible that mcclane could see the possibility of arod, berkman, lee and pence in the heart of the order and open up his checkbook some more....i think my pants are wet at the thought of it....

[boomshwa12]

would anyone think the mets would make a play for him as a second baseman? i doubt it would happen, especially when the money could be better spent on more pitching help, but it just seems like something the mets would do

[dudewheresmygrl]

A-Rod would never go to the Mets to become a second baseman, its up to A-Rod what position he is willing to play, this time he commands what position he plays, since when he was traded to the Yankees it was either 3rd base and the thought of winning a World Series or back to the cellar with the Rangers. With all the leverage he will have as a free agent, of course if he opts out, he can choose what he wants to play, either SS or 3rd depending on what HE wants. With his obsession with how he looks to the public, he would probably not go to the Mets or the Red Sox, unless the Red Sox break open the bank, and the Mets are a no, A-Rod's not changing positions again, especially to 2nd base. The Red Sox are an interesting fit seeing his past with the team but would Red Sox nation approve? Maybe only slightly to get back at the Yankees for the whole Damon thing, so as you can see a player can be swayed by money.
I see the Angels as being the biggest suitor with there big pockets, and desperate need for a power bat. They have the money to pay for him, and Vlad would be more inclined to finish his career with the Angels if he knew he had a big bat like A-Rod's behind him. And it's even better for A-Rod knowing that Angels fans tend to be very casual and not inclined to hurt A-Rod's feelings by booing him.
Florida will not sign him, nice try though. Cleveland is another interesting team, but I don't see them going after him, they haven't enjoyed signing big name players to big contracts (See Jim Thome and Manny Ramirez) and Hafner is gonna have to get paid sometime.

[GoBoSox420]

I obviously cannot speak for all of RSN but I personally would be delighted to have Arod manning 3rd or SS

[jskohl]

With Jeff Kent in the last year of his contract, and with Rafael Furcal having one more year left on his, I like the idea of the Dodgers signing ARod. The Dodgers desperately need a power bat they will have the money to spend, and they can move Furcal to second base. Los Angeles is a star driven town and I think ARod will fit in perfectly.

[ArodSucksAtLife]

"I obviously cannot speak for all of RSN but I personally would be delighted to have Arod manning 3rd or SS"

I concur.

It would be nice to see a hall of famer coming from the MFY to us for once to get a shot at a ring. The site of Wade Boggs riding that god damn horse still irks me so much.

[davearm]

"If he opts out, I think that is a clear sign he wants to win."

Isn't it amazing to consider that an elite player like ARod that wants to win above all else would think he'd be better off someplace *other* than in the Bronx, home of the largest payroll, most championships, and most emphatic win-now philosophy.

What has the world come to?

[jfish26101]

Yeah but I think the Yankees need an overhaul. I think the Yankees will make a push this season but come up short. It wont take long for them to regain their winning ways but the team just doesn't mesh. I don't follow them much but they don't look like the Yankees from the highlights. I don't like them much but I respect the hell out of them.

[dj_kurioo]

Ite this what i think about A-Rod and the Yanks.

1st off if he leaves NY he will not be as great as everyone said he is. If you can't handle ny you are nothing. he'll be fine with the yanks as long as they kick Slow Joe out and put in the Angry Joe.. and dumb jaison and johnny .. get helton and get some one to play centre who could trow good and run good.. i think helton would be a prefect fit for the yanks...get Iciro (or how ever you spell it) to play centre . or ever torre hunter.. forget all that put melcky..

and the pitching staff.. they need to bring in the young one's from the farm system liek soon .. and when rocket comes back.. rocket chin andy and thatdude from there farm system .. kick mikey outt no joke..they need young players and they need to have fun playing baseball.. they dn't even look like they are they all look mad dull...look at the mets lol...LETS GO METS ..(team of ny)

[jza1218]

You'd want them to go young but would want them to pick up Todd Helton and Ichiro or Torii Hunter?

And Melky Cabrera has really played horrible for the Yankees. His OBP just keeps puttering around the .300 level which gets further impacted when you factor in that he can't hit for any power (Slugging of .321)