BREAKING NEWS: A-Rod Will Opt Out

by Eli Greenspan on Oct 28, 2007 10:30 PM EDT

Alex Rodriguez tells the Yankees he will opt out of his contract and become a free agent. That means that the three years, 81 million dollars will be deferred and he can explore other options. If the Yankees are true to their word, they will not negotiate with him any further. Personally, I think the Yankees will still negotiate with him, but Rodriguez will probably sign elsewhere. So where will he sign? Rodriguez is coming off a career year and is in line to make thirty million dollars annually. The Angels have denied interest in him so I suspect the Giants, Dodgers, Cubs, Red Sox, and Phillies to be interested. Rodriguez was only hurting the club by waiting so long because they still have to work on signing Posada, Rivera, the coaching staff, and working to retain Andy Pettitte. I think Rodriguez is smart to leave New York. With the pressure on him to perform, making thirty million dollars would definitely get to him, and it seems obvious that he does not have the thickest skin. He is smart to go to a low market town, where the media is not as bad. I'm not saying he is done in New York, but I think he is opting out so Boras can have leverage in negotiations with them later.

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I'm not 100% sure, but didn't the Yankee's just meet with A-rod this week? If thats the first time they met and discussed his extension how can you blame him for waiting so long?

by Anonymous on Oct 28, 2007 11:06 PM EDT reply actions

Also how can you blame the guy, he doesn't know who's gonna be back, Posada Rivera and which young talent will be traded. A Steinbrenner also said that the next manager shouldn't be judged on next season because they are in a sort of rebuilding phase. I highly doubt the Yankees will go into a serious rebuilding phase, but that certainly would help me as an aging superstar in search of a ring make a decision.

by Anonymous on Oct 28, 2007 11:13 PM EDT reply actions

Phillies won't be interested...take that to the bank.

by Anonymous on Oct 28, 2007 11:22 PM EDT reply actions

I say this to the Cubs...Do not go after him. He has never won a World Series and he probably never will. Yes he is an exceptional player, but there is a reason why every single team that he has played for has gotten better after he leaves them. As far as I am concerned, he is everything that is wrong with baseball with players making ridiculous amounts of money. He made $25 million so now he wants to play for $30 million? When is it ever going to become about getting that ring?

by KevinGillman on Oct 29, 2007 12:23 AM EDT reply actions

if arod wants less media attention, and loyal fans, he should be going to a west coast team. he better not be a Giant.

by timy1 on Oct 29, 2007 12:23 AM EDT reply actions

Tim I think the Giants might go for A-rod.

by Eli on Oct 29, 2007 12:25 AM EDT reply actions

Nothing is being 'deferred' here. He is opting out of the contract, meaning it is now null and void.

The Yankees are not paying him that money at some future date. They're off the hook.

Dictionary.

And figure out the difference between effect and affect.

Golly.

by Anonymous on Oct 29, 2007 1:04 AM EDT reply actions

The Question is would A-Rod be intersted in being a Giant? The Giatns are kinda in a rebuilding faze, and haven't been a team that has had a top payroll in the NL.

The Giants with A-Rods 30m contracts on the books reminds me of the Rangers situation too much.

by Anonymous on Oct 29, 2007 3:11 AM EDT reply actions