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A-Rod To Opt Out?

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Alex Rodriguez had an innocuous book signing appearance yesterday, but it resulted in no less than eight newspaper columns based on a few quotes.  I read all of the articles I could find so you don’t have to.

In response to a question about opting out of his contract after the season, A-Rod replied:

"My situation and my only goal is to win a world championship, and I am going to take it day to day. Everything else will take care of itself."

Classic non-answer.  Rodriguez also mentioned that he did not follow the J.D. Drew situation.  The New York Times reports that a publicist from HarperCollins tried to stop reporters from asking questions and that a Newsday reported was pushed away by police.  Newsday’s Jim Baumbach doesn’t mention that, perhaps preferring to leave himself out of the story. 

Scott Boras talked to the AP yesterday, saying that A-Rod was happy in New York but also going on about how revenues in baseball have doubled and elite position players haven’t been properly rewarded.  Boras and Rodriguez won’t discuss the opt-out clause until season’s end, according to the Post.  If you’re Rodriguez, it’s a no-win situation.  He’s not going to give up a contractual right he earned, nor is he going to make a definitive statement in the press so that he can be villainized later for it.

The New York Daily News reports that Rodriguez did mention a desire to represent the Yankees in the 2008 All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium.

The latest reports are that A-Rod has three years and $72MM left on his deal.  While the AAV is probably close to what he could get on the open market, Rodriguez would obviously get a longer deal for more security.

Rodriguez also mentioned that he has no beef with Joe Torre for hitting him down in the order in the playoffs.

Posada Not Concerned

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Jorge Posada won’t be bothered by his impending free agency as he enters his age 36 season.  Last year’s resurgence was surprising given his age and position. 

It’s hard to picture the longtime Yankee backstop with any other team.  If PECOTA were to re-sign Posada for 2007-09, it would offer $25 million or so.  Apparently Posada’s skills will age pretty well.  I think the Yankees will get something done for three years and $30 million.

If the Yankees decide to go another route, free agent catchers may include Michael Barrett, Paul LoDuca, and Ivan Rodriguez.   

Posada Not Concerned

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Jorge Posada won’t be bothered by his impending free agency as he enters his age 36 season.  Last year’s resurgence was surprising given his age and position. 

It’s hard to picture the longtime Yankee backstop with any other team.  If PECOTA were to re-sign Posada for 2007-09, it would offer $25 million or so.  Apparently Posada’s skills will age pretty well.  I think the Yankees will get something done for three years and $30 million.

If the Yankees decide to go another route, free agent catchers may include Michael Barrett, Paul LoDuca, and Ivan Rodriguez.   

Cano Hands Over His Number

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It’s kind of cheesy, but I suppose worth a mention.  The Yankees recently asked/told second baseman Robinson Cano to hand over his #22 in the event that Roger Clemens signs with them.

Clemens’s agent replied to the gesture by saying that Clemens will make a decision well after spring training at the earliest.  I wonder if the Red Sox will respond by having Wily Mo Pena give up #22?

Johan Santana Has Full NTC For ’07

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Charley Walters of the St. Paul Pioneer Press writes that Johan Santana’s 2006 Cy Young triggered a full no-trade clause in his contract for 2007.  The clause will stick for 2008 if he finishes in the top three of the voting for that award.  Otherwise, he can choose 12 teams he can’t be traded to in ’08.

There’s a lot of speculation going around concerning Santana.  Patrick Reusse opined that Santana will become baseball’s first $200MM starter and the Twins have no chance.  Furthermore, a lot of folks are trying to fit him for Yankee pinstripes already. 

Before the 2005 season, the Twins locked Santana in at four years and $40MM.  That he was willing to let the Twins buy out a few years of free agency may indicate that Santana will take a discount to remain in Minnesota.  Not a ridiculous discount, but still.  $20 million a year would be a bargain for Santana – I’m sure he could top that in free agency.

I imagine there’s a good chance that even if they don’t intend to re-sign him, the Twins will just hold on to Santana until his contract runs out.  The NTC is a big obstacle and it may prevent some team from offering three top-flight prospects.  That’s probably what it would take.  The Yankees may not have three guys that would get this deal done.  The Dodgers, Diamondbacks, Angels, Marlins, or Devil Rays might be able to pull it off if they were so inclined.

Next Step For Yanks: Sign Clemens

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The papers are abuzz this morning with all sorts of Roger Clemens speculation.

The New York Times says the Yankees are "determined not to be outbid."  All the papers believe the Pettitte signing makes New York the favorite. Tyler Kepner speculates that Roger is tired of weak run support in Houston and probably wouldn’t take less money to pitch in Boston.  As you know, Clemens’s agent has advised him to do another midsummer return instead of a full season.

John P. Lopez of the Houston Chronicle believes the Astros are out of it, making it a two-team race.

The New York Post has a statement directly from Randy Hendricks, the agent:

"Nothing has changed on Roger. First, he has to decide whether he will play. If he decides to play, then he will have to decide upon the team, which would be either New York, Boston or Houston. If he does play, it will likely be for a shortened season. I do not expect anything to happen on this matter any time soon."

Randy Johnson Trade Complete

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MetsBlog quotes a radio report heard on WFAN from Sweeny Murti: the Yankees traded Randy Johnson to the Diamondbacks for Luis Vizcaino, Steven Jackson, Ross Ohlendorf, and Alberto Gonzalez. 

UPDATE: ESPN reports that the Yankees will pay between $1.5MM and $2MM of Johnson’s ’06 salary.  Additionally, the D’Backs were granted a 72 hour window for negotation with Johnson starting at 3pm CST today.

Some info on the three prospects:

Jackson is a right-handed starter who will turn 25 in March.  He posted a 2.65 ERA and 2.78 K/BB in Double A in 2006.  According to Scout.com, the former college pitcher is a power guy with a "devastating slider."

Ohlendorf is a 24 year-old right-handed starter.  Like Jackson, he pitched in college and made the jump from Low A South Bend to Double A.  He posted a 3.29 ERA and 4.3 K/BB at that level.  His changeup may have been a key to making the Southern League All-Star game this year.

Gonzalez is not our attorney general, but rather a Venezuelan shortstop.  He turns 24 in April and may have been the best defensive shortstop in Arizona’s system.  He hit .290/.356/.392 in Double A in 2006.

Yankees Sign Mientkiewicz

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According to the New York Post, the Yankees have a tentative agreement with 32 year-old first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz.  He’ll have a physical today.

Mientkiewicz will bat ninth and provide defense at first base.  According to the Fielding Bible, which ranked him behind only Mark Teixeira with the glove:

"He has range and agility and is like a vacuum sucking up all throws, good and bad."

I suppose you can claim the Yankees don’t need more offense, but runs and runs.  I would’ve sought out someone who can hit, too.  It’s an easy way to upgrade the club further.

Latest On Unit Trade

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Ken Davidoff of Newsday reports that the Randy Johnson trade is "all but finalized."  He says Johnson has agreed to the one-year extension and only minor differences remain.

The deal still might take another two or three days to complete.  Arizona still needs to review Johnson’s physical.  Reliever Luis Vizcaino will definitely be included, but the teams have not agreed on a young pitcher. 

The North County Times reported on Tuesday that the Padres were trying to slip in with an offer including Scott Linebrink.  Today the Newark Star-Ledger found a source that indicated San Diego could still be in the mix.

Latest On Randy Johnson

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The New York Times reports that as of Tuesday night the Diamondbacks have not yet been granted a 72-hour window to negotiate with Randy Johnson, though Peter Abraham reported yesterday that Arizona requested it.

The New York Post doesn’t have new information, indicating that dialogue continues over the financial details.  Newsday says Johnson’s agents are now in the loop and the odds of a deal are good.  Finally, USA Today expects the deal completed by the end of the week.

UPDATE: Jon Heyman reports that the Yankees will not grant the D’Backs a 72-hour window to talk contract with Johnson.  It won’t kill the deal however.

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