With Alex Rodriguez scheduled for another hip surgery in the new year, there are questions about whether the 37-year-old will be healthy enough to play out the remainder of his contract with the Yankees. While Rodriguez doesn't plan to retire anytime soon, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports writes that it's possible doctors could eventually find the Yankees slugger physically unable to perform.
If that were to happen, Rodriguez would still receive the remaining $114MM on the last five years of his deal, but the Yankees would get the opportunity to collect insurance on a large portion of it, says Rosenthal. According to Rosenthal's source, the Yanks are insured for more than 70% of A-Rod's salary. Wallace Matthews of ESPNNewYork.com hears that the Yanks could even recoup at least 75% and up to 100% of the money remaining on Rodriguez's deal, but the third baseman would have to be disabled for a full season before the team could begin collecting on the policy.
According to Matthews, it's unclear whether the contract is insured for its entire length, or whether the policy would be voided based on certain kinds of injuries.