ESPN News reporting A-rod has told the Yanks he's opting out.

This story has developed rather fast. Yesterday, ESPN was reporting that the Yankees were prepared to offer him an extension worth somewhere in the $27 million a year range. I'm guessing that Boras in convinced that he can get a longer deal elsewhere (I'm guessing the Angels could be high on that list).

Sounds like A-Rod is a tool along with his agent. First he didn't show up for an award presentation at the World Series today, but Prince Fielder came for his. Then Steve Phillips on ESPN says that the reason he signed for 252 million a few years ago was that he wanted to double KG's 126, so he could be the highest paid in sports.

It was because Boras wanted to be able to say that he was able to double the highest existing contract in sports. I'm sure A-Rod has very little to do with the actual negotiations.

Ya think Texas is happy with his decision? They save $21 million over the next 3 years with him opting out of this deal. That should help them sign Toriiiiii Hunter or get a new bullpen.

Ironic that they are getting out of this horrible ARod contract, but are likely to overpay for another big free agent this off-season.

They can take that 21mil they saved and sign...


A-Rod

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“Mmmm. Move over, eggs. Bacon just got a new best friend - fudge.”

This morning, Buster Olney, speculated that one of the LA teams (Dodgers/Angels), Boston, SF will be the likely teams involved here, and his darkhorse was Florida (that sounds like a massive stretch).

I heard this too. The logic was that their payroll was soooo low and his salary can be added and still have a relatively low payroll...and the fact that A-Rod's from Florida. First of all, the payroll theory can be applied to several teams and second, I don't think A-Rod cares about playing in his hometown. That's usually some saved for the end of most players careers.

Yep, something tells me that ARod isn't concerned about playing in his hometown.

id rather Chicago spend the $30-32 million it would cost to have Arod here on bullpen help. Both teams could use some.

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You know what would help the bullpens?
Johan Santana.

I don't think we'll have to worry about that scenario happening.

agreed. and having man soo lee back out there to catch

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From Rob Neyer's Blog:

Leaving aside the controversy, one might still wonder why now?. Rodriguez had 10 days after the conclusion of the World Series to announce his decision. Apparently the plan was to make the announcement Monday, with nine days to spare. So why the rush? A friend writes:

Maybe I missed it, but the coverage of A-Rod has not stated an obvious possible reason for opting out: He simply doesn't want to play for the Yankees. By opting out even before a concrete offer is made, he's not tempted by them, and, perhaps more importantly, Boras doesn't have to set a precedent by taking a second-best deal.
This makes sense to me. A lot of sense. All my analysis has been predicated on the notion that Rodriguez's No. 1 priority is compensation. But perhaps instead his No. 1 priority is playing for someone, anyone, but the Yankees.

And finally, let me pose this question: What is the percentage chance that next spring Rodriguez will be playing for … nobody? It's long been assumed that the bidding for his services would start at $30 million per season. What if no team is willing to go higher than $25 million? Or $27 million? Would he play for that? I don't think that he would.

I think at least one team will offer more than $30 million per season. I think he'll be playing next April. But the chance that he's not? I think it's higher than zero.

This could be a watershed moment in the history of the free agency era. If MLB teams are as sane as I hope they are they would know $30M a year for one guy is downright ludicrous. Yes, he produced 50HR again this year but no way should he be paid MJ-like money for his playoff-choking schtick.

My only hope is that MLB front offices stonewall Boras and A-Rod. Something tells me that since the biggest of big spenders (NYY) is out of the sweepstakes, the ceiling for his contract has come down considerably. I cant imagine someone paying him $30M when the next highest bidder is only offering something like 25.

I'm hoping the teams can show some kind of solidarity here to prove that one man is not above a team. Face it, for most teams in order to get A-Rod you will be mortgaging your future considerably. That's not counting the teams like KC, Pittsburgh, and Tampa Bay that are out of the running before it even begins. A move like that would show future players that no matter how many home runs you hit, a third of a team's annual payroll should not be tied up into one player.

Now, if A-Rod had a couple WS titles and a WS MVP mixed in somewhere, he would have more bargaining chips. But since his reputation in the playoffs is one of failure and misery, he has no leg to stand on.

The Soriano, Zito & JD Drew contracts from last year are a proof that there is no sanity among MLB owners & GM's.

You mean you can't imagine a scenario like Texas bidding $250Mil for him when the next highest bidder was Seattle at $180Mil? He wouldn't have opted out if Boras didn't KNOW that he can get it.

The last time MLB teams showed "solidarity" the union won a collussion settlement. Not gonna happen.

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“Mmmm. Move over, eggs. Bacon just got a new best friend - fudge.”

Well that happened, and it became known as the largest single blunder in Rangers front office history. That's not to say a little bad PR would stop the next team from making the same mistake.



I suppose when it comes to players there is no honor among thieves. That's what free agency needs to survive, right?

Free agency is not the root of all evil, but without a salary cap it creates "super" teams.
The NBA system of a soft cap and rookie scale seems like the best system in sports right now.

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“Mmmm. Move over, eggs. Bacon just got a new best friend - fudge.”

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/arti ... 050/SPORTS

I thought this was kinda funny.

Good god, is he serious?

http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/view/25955

That didn't take very long.


Is there anything more predictable than the Owners vs. the Union BS in baseball?


http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3101262

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“Mmmm. Move over, eggs. Bacon just got a new best friend - fudge.”

There must be something illegal going on if ARod doesn't get $30 million a year!

I love these ridiculous arguments!

I'm praying that A-Pud is one of the 11 free agents busted for steroids.

Why?
I'm hoping that he's cleaner than Boilermaker Rick's sheets were in college.
I want him to erase Barry from the top of the record books.

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“Mmmm. Move over, eggs. Bacon just got a new best friend - fudge.”

Will Aaron Rowand be on this list ?

He might end up #1 on the "most career injuries requiring stitches" list.

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“Mmmm. Move over, eggs. Bacon just got a new best friend - fudge.”

He did have a career year, but I'm guessing that most of these guys on the list "only took" during the 2003-2005 type period.

I think you're right.
It will be users prior to the new policy, and most likely it will be a list of suspicious activities.
Get ready to find that hormonal & glandular disorders are common among MLB players, and that dentists make the best doctors

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“Mmmm. Move over, eggs. Bacon just got a new best friend - fudge.”

Rowand was one of a group of Sox who purposely refused to take the test in spring training in order to cause league wide testing. I doubt he would have started using after taking such a stand.