$350MM Just To Meet With A-Rod

Buster Olney has the scoop: Scott Boras told the Yankees that just to get in the door with Alex Rodriguez, they'd have to extend his current contract to reach $350MM over ten years.

It sounds like Boras placed a premium on the Yankees getting exclusive negotiating rights with his superstar.  Or maybe Rodriguez truly had no desire to return and they set the bar incredibly high for that reason.  It's fair now to say that the Yankees' decision not to have further talks with Rodriguez was much more financial than emotional.

I can almost see the final result being a ten-year, $350MM deal, but as a starting point for negotiation?  That seems unreasonable.  We're still trying to stomach the idea of a $30MM player.  But it was heroic of A-Rod to save us from a dull October (MLBTR's own Nat Boyle was sort of quoted in this article!)

Olney also has a source indicating that the Dodgers will probably pass on Rodriguez.

Comments

[NYCBaseball]

Pretty disgusting.

[wildo05]

This is all a ploy by ARod and Scott Boras to get him to Boston. I have said this for months. ARod will be wearing a Boston Red Sox uniform next year and moving forward. Alex initially was willing to cut his salary to play for the Red Sox and the only reason that did not occur was because of the players union. I believe that the Red Sox will attempt to trade Julio Lugo (possibly to the Mets to play 2B) and sign ARod to play shortstop. My take is if a team is willing to move him back to short he would be willing to sign for less. During Boras' interview on XM radio Wednesday night he mentioned that Alex wants to play on a team with an All-Star catcher, pitcher and closer. Out of all the teams the only potential suitor that fits that criteria is the Boston Red Sox. Boston fans better warm up to the idea because Alex Rodriguez will be in the Red Sox Opening Day lineup at short wearing No. 3.

[ErroRod1985]

I sure hope not. I'll become a Yankees fan if he does. It's not worth 216,000 a game, 8 thousand a out, and 24,000 a inning to support a guy whose already made over 100 million in his career. He's 32, and Lowell's 34. Two years doesn't make or break a person that drastically, so give Lowell his deserved 3 year deal for 12-14 and end this story already.

[ErroRod1985]

That is, of course, he gets 35 million a year.

[kbrooks2LA]

Hey Wildo05...I can think of another team that fits the criteria and has been mentioned as a primary Arod suitor.

LA Dodgers -- 2007 All Stars

Russell Martin -- catcher
Brad Penny -- starter
Takashi Saito -- closer

Strange that after the big Torre splash Olney thinks the Dodgers won't pursue Arod. I was hoping they would go after Arod rather than cleaning out the farm for Miguel Cabrera.

I do think that Boston is definitely a viable option...but they're definitely not the only team that fits Boras' comments. In addition, Varitek is definitely winding down. Victor Martinez is clearly the class of AL catchers now.

[ArodSucksAtLife]

I hope he gets every penny.

[wildo05]

First off I hate Red Sox fans that say this. If he played for any other team you would be all about it. Second, you didn't read my post! You saw ARod and Red Sox and assumed what I was going to say. I think he will play shortstop! Third, I am not over paying for Mike Lowell. He had a tremendous year and I love what he did, but lets not forget this guy was a guy on the decline two years ago. Also, look at Mike's lifetime averages and tell me if the .324 he hit this year doesn't stick out! I am sure that in 2005 when the Sox lost Damon you said the same things. How in the world could we let the heart and soul of the team go. Go ahead become a Yankees fan! With you response I can tell you are an uneducated fan! How could anyone not want the best player in the game on their team! Get over the Yankee thing! The Red Sox are better than that!

[kbrooks2LA]

Hey Wildo05...I can think of another team that fits the criteria and has been mentioned as a primary Arod suitor.

LA Dodgers -- 2007 All Stars

Russell Martin -- catcher
Brad Penny -- starter
Takashi Saito -- closer

Strange that after the big Torre splash Olney thinks the Dodgers won't pursue Arod. I was hoping they would go after Arod rather than cleaning out the farm for Miguel Cabrera.

I do think that Boston is definitely a viable option...but they're definitely not the only team that fits Boras' comments. In addition, Varitek is definitely winding down. Victor Martinez is clearly the class of AL catchers now.

[Joe159]

If Boston signs Rodriguez, I might not watch baseball at all next year. No one would be able to compete with Boston at all, and everything Red Sox Nation has been saying about the "Evil Empire" will come right back at them ten-fold.

[wildo05]

I definitely agree with your statement about Varitek and I forgot about the Dodgers, that shows my stupidity. Can you guys believe these fans that do not want a player of his caliber? I agree with your asessment of the Cabrera and even Santana situations. I do not want to empty the farm for either guy, especially since they may still become free agents! I am a die hard Sox fan and would welcome Alex with open arms!

[wildo05]

Boston as the Evil Empire? Lester, Papelbon, Buchholz, Pedroia, Ellsbury, Delcarmen, Masterson and potentially Jed Lowrie on the roster next year? I think they are the furthest thing from the Evil Empire they are drafting extremely well. The will have some high priced players i.e. ARod, Manny, Ortiz, Drew and Varitek, but the majority of the lineup, bench and rotation will be homegrown. Don't go there!

[ArodSucksAtLife]

Yankees have alot of homegrown players aswell, this is a silly argument.

[levelboss]

"everything Red Sox Nation has been saying about the "Evil Empire" will come right back at them ten-fold"

doesn't it seem like the Red Sox are the 'Evil Empire' now? especially if they drop 350 mil on A-Rod?

[geauxbraves]

All I know is there is about a 99.99999999999999% chance that he won't be an Atlanta Brave, and for that I am so very thankful.

Geaux Braves!!

[tdogg]

I am usually for players getting what they can in the right situation. But the greed involved here is so over the top I feel dirty all over. Arod is not worth 35 million a year. Quite frankly he is not 10 mill better than the next best player. And post season performance alone, please...

[kbrooks2LA]

Anyone that isn't insane should want Arod on their team.

Any Boston fan that claims they'll boycott Arod is full of it. He breaks up one double play and they'll start calling him "gritty" and "willing to do the little things." They'll be looking for any reason to say that he's different on "our" team. But the fact is he won't be different. He'll be the best player.

I want him on the Dodgers. I don't care if he makes $30 mil/yr. I don't care if he flips me off everytime he takes the field or makes disparaging remarks about my mother. As long as he jacks the pill out of the stadium at his regular rate things wil be cool.

Oh yeah, and if he pulls a line drive into the dugout killing Jeff Kent and Juan Pierre...that would be great too.

[John Peterson]

[[[During Boras' interview on XM radio Wednesday night he mentioned that Alex wants to play on a team with an All-Star catcher, pitcher and closer.]]]

What is this? These are ridiculously arbitrary qualifications, unless Boras is referring to the notion that A-Rod doesn't want to play for the Yankees because they could possibly lose Posada, Rivera and Pettite.

Also, $350 million is just ridiculous. At this point, I will be surprised to see a deal over $250 mil. Boras is going to stick to his guns, but he's ridiculously overvaluing his client, "best player in the game" or not.

[Yanks/Rams]

I for one hope that Arod goes to the redsox. Im a huge yankee fan and i would love nothing more than to see Boston start losing. The best way for a team to loose is to add Arod. I mean the Yanks were amazing before Arod and every one thought with Arod the yanks would be unbeatable. We all saw how that ended up and i could only hope the same would happen to the sox.

[nrmax88]

"I sure hope not. I'll become a Yankees fan if he does."

I am sure Red Sox nation is holding its colective breath awaiting your decision. Please let me know soon I dont know if I will be able to sleep soundly at night, not knowing the future fanhood of errorod.

[tdogg]

Saying you dont want Arod on your team for 350 million is not insane.

A- Depending on the team it can affect many other financial parts of the team

B- That kind of money to the best player to never lead his team to even a World Series would shake up almost every team.

Saying you dont want Arod and saying you dont want Arod for 35 mill a year is totally different.

[nrmax88]

"How could anyone not want the best player in the game on their team! Get over the Yankee thing! The Red Sox are better than that!"

Wildo, you have to relize, errorod is indredibly stupuid. Youre name looks new to me, so maybe you havent realized yet. But the other day this dude says...."why would we want a-rod... we have his double in julio lugo, why would we want another one?"

That pretty much tells you everything you need to know about our special friend errorod.

[henry14theking]

Haha... what a greedy bastard.

I mean he should angle for every penny he can get, but he's already made about a 100 million bucks.

If he gets his contract he should seriously donate a large chunk of it to charities.

[Not Joe Morgan]

(Couldn't a fair argument be made that any team that markets their $14.95 per year fan club at every possible moment already is a bit more evil? No?)

[JakeOD21]

As a Red Sox fan, there's no rational way to say I'd rather have Mike Lowell than A-Rod from a pure statistical standpoint. The difference in offensive production is ridiculous, and defensively A-Rod isn't that far behind Lowell. So for me and most other Red Sox fans its not about that.

Sox fans want nothing to do with A-Rod because of a lot of other reasons that have nothing to do with production on the field. A-Rod is perceived as soft, has never been a real clubhouse leader, and doesn't seem to care much about anyone but himself. Trouble seems to follow him wherever he goes, and he doesn't handle the spotlight well. He's been awful in the postseason in recent years. Most people don't want him just because he's a Yankee, which around here is reason enough.

And I think most people just watched the season and postseason that Mike Lowell had and wonder why Sox brass would want to shake things up. For me, the only practical reason to sign A-Rod is that Manny Ramirez is declining and after his contract runs out next year they're going to need that right-handed power bat to complement Ortiz. And from a statistical standpoint, who better than A-Rod.

But it's just a question of whether or not Epstein and Co want to shake things up after winning the World Series. I personally hope they err on the side of caution, hope Lowell takes 3 years, and move forward.

[nrmax88]

"doesn't it seem like the Red Sox are the 'Evil Empire' now? especially if they drop 350 mil on A-Rod?"

No.

[CubsFan84]

This is disturbing.

[bobo]

I'm having a hard time seeing ARod getting anywhere closet to that. Boras already looks like he's starting to panic - begging the Yankees to get in on the bidding, making stupid comments like "why is Alex the only Yankee who's not allowed to be a FA", and saying that now Alex will donate some money to Hank Aaron's charity.

I'm guessing he'll get a 7 year deal for about $26M per season.

[Not Joe Morgan]

7 years for $182MM would be devastating for Boras's empire. I really think he'd try to make Rodriguez sit and sign with a desperate team in season before he'd allow anything close to that number.

[BrianTX]

"saying that now Alex will donate some money to Hank Aaron's charity."

That's so generous of him.

[bravesrule14]

I would never in a million years wnat that selfish son of a bitch on my team. A-Rod is not a team player, he's not a leader, not a good clubhouse guy, sur ehe can hit 50 HR in a season, but doesn't do jackshit in the playoffs. A-Rod epitmizes everything that is wrong with baseball. He's a greedy, self-absorbed, non-clutch, player(doesn't deserve the name baseball player). 30M for a guy that won't do anything for your team come October is a waste of money. Also, if you almost hit him inside he gets scared shitless. The guy does not deserve to put on a uniform for any team. I hope he gets low-balled and no one gives him what he wants. The he cries for a while as Boras angrily cleans the dishes in their house. The ne leaves baseball forever. A-Rod needs to leave baseball ort baseball needs to leave him.

[levelboss]

i think Arte Moreno had been rumored to really want A-Rod for Anaheim before.. if that happened then the Angeles would have a potent 1-2 punch in Vladimir Guerrero/A-Rod much like Ortiz/Ramirez

[Kramerica Industries]

Lets break this down...

Of the teams that we THINK have a chance to afford Arod...

Mets
Red Sox
Yankees
Angels
Dodgers
Giants
Cubs
Texas
Baltimore

The process of elimination-
The Yankees claim they wont bid so we will take them out. Giants Gm claims that its "a reach" for them to sign ARod So id take them out. Cubs with the new ownership and the current contracts of Zambrano and Soriano i don't see this happening. Texas wont go there again. I could see the O's getting involved but the don't get along with Boras so I would take them out.

So this leaves us with:

RED SOX -I agree with wildo05, i see them pulling a renteria and trading Lugo and getting ARod to finally solidify what has been a revolving door in Boston since Nomar.
METS- They have the money and Wright will move over to Second....It may just happen

Angels- Certainly a need here but do we see them giving Arod almost double Vlad's salary. Will Moreno pay that much.... They have the largest need of those who can afford him but I don't think it think it will happen....but who knows?

Dodgers- Buster olney thinks not, and the the Toree-Arod relationship may not be that great I see them getting Miguel Cabbrra.

I don't think any team will drop 350 million but I see 280 to 320 as possible.(8-10 years)

I think it comes down to Boston Or the Mets.

*if there are any teams you think should be added to the discussion feel free to add them i was going off the top of my head.

[Kramerica Industries]

Hey Tim nice rumor here:http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7400932

Lincecum for a big bat....interesting maybe he meant Lowry i would be shocked maybe Miggy to Sanfran?

[moebarguy]

I think if anything, it's a ploy to make the Yankees think he's going to sign with the Red Sox. I truly believe the Red Sox are not interested in signing Arod. They won a world series with the team they have now, and they going to be even better next season with Ellsbury and Buccholtz receiving extended playing time. Lowell for 3 years makes more sense for the Red Sox then Arod for 10. Regardless, once it seems like the Red Sox are going to offer Arod good money, the Yankees are going to counter with what Boras is asking for. There's no way in hell the Yankees let Arod sign with the Red Sox.

[moebarguy]

Here's another thing to think about. If the Red Sox publically state that they will make no attempt to sign Arod, then the Yankees essentially have nothing to worry about if they don't pursue Arod. I think the Yankees are fine with losing Arod, as long as an NL team or a non-contending AL team signs him.

[kgbaseball]

Probably for the best for LAD to pass on ARod. Plug in LaRoche there next season and see how he does.

[bjsguess]

I think it's pretty clear now that A-Rod does NOT want to play in NY unless they are willing to pay him a premium amount of cash.

If A-Rod doesn't like playing in NY I would guess that Boston is also pretty iffy. That same intensity and scrutiny exists in Boston like it does in NY.

After that the teams that have the money and the need would LAA, Baltimore and SF. If I'm A-Rod the place I would pick is LAA.

BTW - LAA do meet Boras' criteria. All-Star closer and pitcher. Along with a young and future all-star catcher (Napoli).

I just hope that the competition is weak and A-Rod can be had for around $25m/year.

[ErroRod1985]

Yes, I am "indredibly stupuid", because I have my own opinions like the rest of the users on this site. I'm probably wrong in everyones eyes, and your probably wrong in mine, but I don't sit behind my computer insulting people because they have opinions that aren't the same as mine.

Yeah, he could play shortstop. But I can't see anyone taking Lugo, and his 9 million a year for .236. But hey, who knows? And yeah, I'd be crazy to not want Arod, but I enjoy the chemistry of the team and the way they go about it on the field. He's not a class act, and you might disagree with me on that which is fine. But if the Red Sox are going to complain about his age, Arod is only two years younger, right? Both haven't had any serious injuries? I wouldn't mind having either, but I'd prefer to stick with the same third baseman because of the intangibles he brings to the clubhouse and the field.

[RandomScrub]

What do you guys think of a Cubs-Angels trade of Ramirez for Figgins + E. Santana + Prospect (or to the Dodgers for Ethier/Billingsley or other pitching prospect), freeing third base for ARod. LA has already stated they don't want ARod for whatever reasons (never had many players who see an "I" in team, to use a cliche) and Ramirez would provide good protection for Guerrero. LA doesn't need much pitching and doesn't seem to want Figgins for the last years of his contract.

A lot of this depends n Mark Cuban buying the Cubs, but if he does I think this is more likely than ARod going to the Angels. For ARod, Wrigley is the ultimate launching pad, and bringing the Cubs to the World Series would get anyone into the Hall of Fame (except Jason Kendall...) There's also the chemistry between Pinella and ARod.

Honestly, I am a Cubs fan so I am somewhat biased, though I'm not a huge Irod fan so this isn't too biased. His preference for low pressure, non-NY (that's how I interpret 350m starting rate) implies his first concern is his own records, and Wrigley would be a field to accomplish this.

Yes, the ownership is an issue... though when this issue first came up some writers thought the current management might sign him in order to guarantee a high sale.

[Kramerica Industries]

ErroRod1985, You are right who would want Lugo? His .237!(just messing with you) was horrible BUT these are the reasons why he may look more appealing...

1. He hit 280 after the break after a horrible first half

2. You take his miserable June away he hits 261 on the season.

3. He was 33 for 39 in SB's

Well i know none of that is overwhelming for anyone to trade for Lugo if the Sox pay 2-3 million of that salary and he is down to 6-7 I think there would be a chance talks thenselves in to Lugo as there everyday SS- Dont forget the Cardinals, White Sox, Giants,Pirates, Astros, Cubs, Nationals and Cubs could all potentailly look to upgrade(is he an upgrade?) or need a replacement for there 07 SS. While there a ton of bad things about Lugo Im just saying people can themselves into a deal...

[1435tw]

"Doesn’t it seem like the Red Sox are the 'Evil Empire' now? Especially if they drop 350 mil on A-Rod?"

Yes, that's exactly right. Red Sox fans, you can't deny it. A-Rod will likely sign with the Red Sox because no one can afford him, but an ‘evil empire’ can. The Yankees are out of it (Thank the grace of Jesus) because Rodriguez doesn’t like a little pressure from New York. Say all you want about the Yankees being rich and what not (Clemens was a stupid signing, agreed), but when it comes down to it, look @ the facts. The Yankees are building upon youth. With Joba, Ian, and Philip heading the staff with other farmhand Wang, that makes 4/5 of the staff. That costs almost nothing as of now. Now, we have Melky, Damon, and Abreu in the outfield. Damon has the biggest contract there, but is it any bigger than Angel’s outfield? Not really, that's Vladly and Matthews + some young guy (similar to Melky). Okay, okay, now the meat of the contracts, Jeter, big contract, but he is worth every penny of it. Giambi, he sucks, but he isn't long lived for New York anyways. Cano is now worth next to nothing and now Gay-Rod is out so what so high, mighty and rich about that? Riveria can walk, he's pointless. Posada needs to be resigned and he's worth his salt whatever he gets. But all in all what’s so special about those contracts? There’s Pavano and Matsui still in the mix for us, but hey, Sox got Drew. Pretty much the same thing only the Sox pay more.

Here’s the Red Sox Yankee like team (Contract-wise)

So the Red Sox have big contracts in:

Ortiz
Manny
Varitek
Beckett
Dice-K
Lugo
Drew

+

The Cheapies (Whom are awesome, kudos Boston. That's coming from a Yankee):

Pedoria
Ellsbury
Buchholz
Papelbon
Lester
Okajima
Youkilis

The team is stacked, there's no way around it, but "America's Team" is going down the road of Yankees. With the possible and likely signings of Gay-Rod and Lowell (Definitely worth his salt, give the man his due) that just looks like a Steinbrenner team. I'm sorry but look @ it!

Boston's team is the most solid, and most dominate team out there as of now, but there is no way in Hell you can ever call the Yankees candy-assed rich babies now that you’re the exact same thing as you hate. Personally, I think this is hilarious. A-Rod leaves he doesn’t want to play for the Yanks because he wants to play for Sox. You can take him. We Yankees are right behind you Boston. We have a farm we can rely on and we can draft anyone we want so we can move on with team of kids and vets determined to win. Our emergence shall be your fall.

Take all the shots you want, I want to see ‘em.

[Kramerica Industries]

can talk themselves into a deal.....a great ending to my rant ruined by not proof reading. I also said Cubs twice.....Im just to excited..I love the off season.

[1435tw]

im curious to see how cubs fans feel about aramis ramirez. is he expendable in your eyes'? i always thought he was a battler and a good ballplayer.

[kbrooks2LA]

I know this is off topic...but does anybody see the ChiSox making this deal???

LAD Get -- Garland
ChiSox Get -- Pierre/Furcal

The Sox might be dumb enough to make this deal. It seems like these are the guys Ozzie is looking for (i.e. CF and SS w/ speed).

Look here http://www.firejoemorgan.com/2007/10/pecota-predicts-2008-white-sox-0-162.html

This would free up money (and correct old mistakes) for LAD and give Ozzie the little speeadsters that he loves.

[Kramerica Industries]

1435tw, As a sox fan I will set you straight. the Sox payroll is high don't get me wrong but....

Ortiz is making 12.5 million!! Name one team that would not pay that?(besides the Marlins)
Manny- contract is potentially over after 08
Varitek- contract is potentially over after 08

Beckett-The best "Ace" in baseball-he comes up big when it matters made 6 million this year. 9.5 this year...well below market
Dice-K-6 million in 07, 8 in 08 also below market
Lugo-over payed
Drew-over payed:i could still see this being worked out.

that's 30 million off the books after 08....Not to mention Schilling's 13 million this year! Coco will be replaced by Ellsbury that's another 4 million gone. Donnelly's 1.5. They have a lot of money coming off the books the next two years and in house replacements for most off the holes they will create. there payroll wont get more then 150 million, im telling you

[Kramerica Industries]

I'm sorry, I also neglected the fact that Matt Clement's useless 9 million is coming of the boards as well...

[04Forever]

i hope he gets his 30 pieces of silver and goes to hell, seriously, boras and arod have alot of balls to say that to THE baseball organization, so disgusting

[henry14theking]

To all the Red Sox fans who want ARod at SS for 30 million a year:

Jed Lowrie. Repeat that a few times. He'll cost 1% of ARod costs and probably provide good offense (nothing like ARod of course) and defense.

Save your money for scouting and development.

[Kramerica Industries]

I wanted ARod for short lowell for two years at third then call up Lowrie to play 3rd. But i wouldnt have shocked me if they signed Arod after Manny leaves they move Lowrie to left.

[RandomScrub]

Aramis Ramirez is definitely a good player, and despite not playing completely healthy last year still put up good numbers. I think that if any other 3B was on the market (Cabrera or otherwise) we wouldn't see them as an upgrade. However, signing ARod-probably 10-12 millions a year additional payroll- would be worth the trade value ramirez has with the LA teams.

I think Ethier as a left handed right fielder is a great fit for the Cubs (though I'd be happier with Fukudome and no ARod if pitching could be had somewhere). Also, the Cubs need better pitching depth since Zambrano is most likely on the decline and after Lilly and Hill there's a pretty substantial drop off.

ARod makes the Cubs the NL Central favorite... or if he can pitch he can invent a new team, add it to the NL Central, and possibly still win all by himself. Its been a couple years since we won a world series, and the prospect of a hundred year anniversary is worth the extra money for a longterm deal.

[OldD099erFan]

First, The Dodgers should make a preemptive strike on Arod before the bidding war starts (before Mgrs meeting)- a take it or leave it deal. This would allow both Boras and Arod to save face and still get the richest contract of all time. Boras could market it that Arod truly wants to play for a contender - not just going for the money, yadda, yadda..

The Dodgers are a team that has room at their park to increase attendance by 5-10K per game and consistently pass 400K a year. The radio deal will bring more revenue and the concessions will increase - they may even get a TV deal.

This deal will end up almost paying for itself in the long run (Boras says 50M/year, but thats way high). This would be more like getting Arod for 10-15K a year.

So the deal... They offer the first six years starting at 30M and increasing by 1M each year - that's $201K guaranteed for 6 years. The 7-10th year have a base salary of 30M, but have incentives for homeruns, all star, RBIs, etc, that can take him up to 40M/year. That's $321 guaranteed over 10 years with the possibility of another 40M the last 4 years - a total of $361 over 10 years.

There would also have to be a club option to buy him out after 6 years if he can't play, say 100 games, due to injury or a cocaine addition, etc - this gives the Dodgers an out if he gets injured or arrested and they decide he is no longer worth over 30M/year, but gives them the flexibility to keep him if he keeps performing and is approaching the HR record (another big $$ for the Dodgers).

Also, keep all of the rookies. Get rid of Pierre, sign Hunter. Sit Nomar (or trade him). Save Abreau, Hu and LaRoach to replace Furcal and Kent during or after the year. Your payroll goes back down in 2009 with most of your starters making minimum wage. Oh, and also pick up a 1,2 starter (Santana) by trade - whatever it takes out of the farm - except not Bills, Hull, Meloan or Kershaw. The Dodgers won't need any new talent for 5 years except trading out pitchers if one dies.

McC can afford to do all of this, will have a payroll of around 175M this year (going down in 2010) and will still be making big bucks from the Arod deal.

[JakeOD21]

I cant deny that the Red Sox have a ton of money and I can't deny that it helped them win a World Series this year. But consider this:

Beckett, Dice-K and Wakefield won a total 52 games during the regular season plus another 6 in October. The combined 2007 salary for those three guys? $16 million. The Sox paid Schilling $13 million and got 9 wins plus 3 in the postseason.

You can have the money but you have to know how to spend it. And spending $35 million on A-Rod just isn't worth the trouble.

[OldD099erFan]

Based on my previous comment, the lineup would be:

2008 Lineup

Furcal
Kemp
Hunter
Arod
Kent
Loney
Matin
Ethier
SP - Penny, Lowe, Schmidt, Billingsley, Santana
Relief (pick 5)- Loaiza Saito, Broxton, Beimel, Houlton, Hull, Stults, Miller, Brazoban

Bench

LaRoche (3B, 2B, OF)
Abreu (3B, 2B)
Hu (SS)
Lieberthal C (or other C for 30 games)
Young (OF)
Nomar (trade)
Repko (OF)
Sweeney (PH)

2009 Lineup

Furcal (if signed)or FA or HU (SS)
Kemp
Hunter
Arod
Loney
LaRoche (2b)
Matin
Ethier
SP and Relief - Same

This lineup will win (or contend for) the World Series for the next 4-5 years. Will definitely win the NL.

[kbrooks2LA]

very optimistic

[kbrooks2LA]

OldDO99erfan...

In addition to your suggestions I believe we should also do the following:

1. Thaw out Teddy Ballgame have him play LF (he fly retro fighter jets over Afghanistan on off days)

2. Trade Hendrickson for Albert Pujols and Chase Utley in a bizaare 3-team deal in which each gets Hendo's services for half of the season.

Your proposition was almost as ridiculous. Signing Arod and Hunter would be amazing, but obviously even getting one of those guys would be great. Obtaining both would be unreal. I was still with you at that point.

However, you lost me when you somehow arranged the acquisition of Johan Santana (probably the most coveted player in all of baseball) w/out giving away anything. You think we could be acquired w/out giving up any of the following names:

1. Kemp
2. Billingsley
3. Loney
4. Broxton
5. Martin (not that they need him)
6. Abreu
7. Laroche

You probably won't have time to read this b/c you'll be too busy banging a supermodel on a pile of blow and thousand dollar bills.

[kbrooks2LA]

Oh yeah...we also get to keep Ethier...and Hu

Excuse me...I need to go eat my lasagne that's made of white tiger's blood and mazeratti pink slips.

[OldD099erFan]

Say Hello to My Little Friend !!!!

[geauxbraves]

One of the best things that could happen for Baseball is for the Yankees and the BoSox to stay out of any type of bidding war for ARod. If they get into one, Boras wins again.

[nrmax88]

"I would never in a million years wnat that selfish son of a bitch on my team. A-Rod is not a team player, he's not a leader, not a good clubhouse guy, sur ehe can hit 50 HR in a season, but doesn't do jackshit in the playoffs. A-Rod epitmizes everything that is wrong with baseball. He's a greedy, self-absorbed, non-clutch, player(doesn't deserve the name baseball player). 30M for a guy that won't do anything for your team come October is a waste of money. Also, if you almost hit him inside he gets scared shitless. The guy does not deserve to put on a uniform for any team. I hope he gets low-balled and no one gives him what he wants. The he cries for a while as Boras angrily cleans the dishes in their house. The ne leaves baseball forever. A-Rod needs to leave baseball ort baseball needs to leave him. "

Wow. Another ignorant, un thought out, unjustified, load full of crap rant about A-Rod. I for one, am uttterly shocked.

[nrmax88]

Its funny how most Yankee fans were talking about how A-Rod would never leave, he was important to this team, he loves it here, etc etc. Now that management lets him walk, its like the fans are in denial. Saying he sucks, he isnt worth it, thank God he is gone. Stop feeding us that bullshit people. Atleast Bobo and NJM have nice, thought out, posts about replacing A-Rod, or how he is replacable. They dont come on and post things like ......

"OMG A-Rod opts out ( and thank god!!! Because Arod sucks in the playoffs! And he is a big jerk in the clubhouse!)"

Its funny. If a guy leaves te Yankees, the fans see it as like the ultimate insult... "because everybody wants to be a yankee right? I mean, who wouldnt want to play for the Yankees?"

I dono, I just think its funny to hear him getting praised by fans all year, now all of thew sudden he sucks, is a bad clubhouse guy, and sucks in the playoffs again. A-Rod will eventually go on a tear in the playoffs, just like Bonds did after struggling at first. When he does, it will be interesting to see what all of the geniuses on the board who said he isnt worth signing because he sucks in the playoffs have to say.

[nrmax88]

"Yeah, he could play shortstop. But I can't see anyone taking Lugo, and his 9 million a year for .236. But hey, who knows? And yeah, I'd be crazy to not want Arod, but I enjoy the chemistry of the team and the way they go about it on the field. He's not a class act, and you might disagree with me on that which is fine. But if the Red Sox are going to complain about his age, Arod is only two years younger, right? Both haven't had any serious injuries? I wouldn't mind having either, but I'd prefer to stick with the same third baseman because of the intangibles he brings to the clubhouse and the field."

wow, see, this is a totally thought out and well reasoned post. It is much better then posting garbage like......

"Screw A-Rod, he is s bum! We already have Julio Lugo so why do we needA-Rod?"

Just be rational.

[gl4540]

How about the Diamondbacks? They probably need an offensive slugger more so than any other team, have payroll to spare (only about $40 million committed to current players before raises are figured in), and need to bring in a star to help sagging attendance. Remember Phoenix is the 5th largest city in America, bigger than Boston.