Baseball Musings
Baseball Musings
April 25, 2007
He Loves New York

This sounds pretty definitive:

"I want to stay in New York, no matter what," Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez's statement sounded even stronger in the context of the question that preceded it. Rodriguez, who is batting .385 with 14 home runs and 34 RBIs in just 19 games, was nearing the end of a dugout interview with reporters when the opt-out clause in his contract was brought up. This is the seventh season in Rodriguez's 10-year, $252-million contract that he signed with the Rangers, who are picking up a significant portion of the money remaining. After this season, Rodriguez can opt out of the remaining three years and $81 million on his contract if he chooses.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman previously has said he does not plan to renegotiate Rodriguez's contract. He did not return a phone call yesterday afternoon.

Considering the hefty contracts given this past offseason to less accomplished players (Alfonso Soriano got eight years and $136 million, and Vernon Wells got seven years and $126 million), several teams likely will be willing to offer Rodriguez a contract worth far more than $81 million this winter. So Rodriguez was asked, after raving about how much he loves New York for a couple of moments, how hard it would be to turn down larger offers if the Yankees insist on sticking to the contract he has now.

That's when Rodriguez said: "I want to stay in New York, no matter what."

We'll see what happens at the end of the year. This doesn't mean he won't opt-out and renegotiate. But he can't be much clearer about his intentions.


Posted by David Pinto at 04:03 PM | Players | TrackBack (0)
Comments

You know, the Mets play in New York too...

Posted by: David Gassko at April 25, 2007 05:06 PM

His intentions are perfectly clear. As long as Scott Boras remains his agent he will opt out and renegotiate despite his comments. If he fired Boras and said he wants to stay in New York no matter what then maybe his commentary could be considered sincere.

Posted by: John Gibson at April 25, 2007 05:16 PM

I'll believe it when he says "I am not exercising my option." He can certainly get out of the contract while wanting to stay in NY.

Posted by: Jason at April 25, 2007 05:22 PM

he can't be much clearer about his intentions.

A quick search of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer archives doesn't yield anything significant, but I seem to remember that one of the reasons A-Rod was so vilified in Seattle was that he led people on during the 2000 season as to whether he was going to stay with the Mariners. Assuming I'm not misremembering, there's plenty of room here to suggest that A-Rod's comments today are not to be taken seriously tomorrow.

Posted by: Rob McMillin at April 25, 2007 05:58 PM

Being an M's fan I remember Alex saying that the Mariners needed to make the playoffs for him to stick around (they did, wild card 91-71), then he said the Mariners need to go deep into the playoffs (they did, lost 4-2 in the ALCS to the Yanks), and then he left for the worst team in the AL West (Texas at 71-91) for a whole lot of cash. It is hard to trust the guy when he says that he wants to stay for a certin team.

Posted by: nick at April 25, 2007 06:10 PM

There is nothing contradictory about wanting to stay in NY, and also wanting the best contract he can get -- and there would be nothing contradictory about opting out of his current contract while hoping that he gets a competitive new contract offer from NY.

Posted by: Capybara at April 25, 2007 08:21 PM

I think if he did go to the Mets, it would be a repeat of Texas -- he would be the highest-paid star player on a team that is engineered to fall apart in a hurry. Where's the good young nucleus that's going to make several runs at a title?

Posted by: Rob McMillin at April 26, 2007 02:35 AM

"Several runs at a title?" Ya gotta be kiddin me. Since when has Scot Boras ever worried about titles? Show him the money, Honey!!!!!

Posted by: Zippercat at April 26, 2007 08:42 AM

Where's the good young nucleus that's going to make several runs at a title?

That's a joke, right?

Reyes
Wright
Beltran
Pelfrey
Humber
Milledge
Martinez

Not to mention that most of the arms in the pen outside of Wagner and Schoenweiss are rather young.

Posted by: paul zummo at April 26, 2007 10:10 AM

That's a joke, right?

Uh, no. The Mets' starting outfield has only one player as young as 30 (Beltran). Pedro Martinez is 34 and suffering extensive DL time due to shoulder (IIRC) problems. Lastings Milledge may well be the second coming of (the good) Darryl Strawberry, but both he and Pelfrey have yet to prove they can produce at this level. Pelfrey continues to flirt with a 1:1 K:BB ratio.

Posted by: Rob McMillin at April 26, 2007 05:46 PM

And the Yanks young nucleus is Wang, Cano, and Humber? Switching teams would be an upgrade. but it's not going to happen. The current contract is favorable for the team and player. Expect an extension. If Cashman lets Arod leave he will follow him out the door. The NY media love the guy, but someone in Tampa has be wondering how they failed to acquire a backup catcher for an aging posada. First base is a joke. How have they done signing FA arms? Pretty damn poorly, no?

Posted by: abe shorey at April 26, 2007 08:39 PM

clearer about his intentions? AROD????? who has boras as an agent?????????

sigh

cmon david, when you were single, did you REALLY believe all those grrrls who told you - oooooooh david, of COURSE i'll respect you in the morning right after you do all my math homework for me you hot dude you.

Posted by: lisa gray at April 27, 2007 12:28 PM
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