Baseball Musings
Baseball Musings
October 09, 2007
Bonds and Rose

Andrew Marchand looks at A-Rod's possible contract negotiations:

"The right of free agency has probably never been more valuable to a single player than it would be to someone like Alex Rodriguez," Boras said during a phone interview with 1050 ESPN New York conducted prior to the Yankees ALDS loss to the Indians. "The reason being is that he is a stature player, a durable player, an iconic player and he has had a historic season. Again, these are decisions that Alex has to make. He is certainly happy in New York and has enjoyed playing there."

Boras, known as one of baseball's shrewdest and most hard-nosed negotiators, tipped his hand Monday as to what negotiations would be like if Rodriguez opts out. He said he will tell prospective bidders that Rodriguez could play until he is 45, which will allow him to not only become baseball's all-time home run king, but also the all-time hits leader. If those accomplishments are within reach, Boras said he will argue that Rodriguez will be worth somewhere between a half-billion and a billion dollars over a decade to a team's regional sports network.


"One of the other things that Alex has that some of the other things that Alex has that few players have is he has network value," Boras said. "That means for a regional sports network he has an impact on in that may allow that regional sports network to increase by a half-a-billion to a billion dollars over a 10-year period because of the ratings increase that he will bring. His fan base will subscribe to that network to watch him play and they will sell more advertising. This has certainly been evidenced in New York."

Boras is saying that because Alex has a chance to catch both Bonds and Rose, he's worth $50 million a year. That's a lot of money to commit to one player over a long time period. I'm guessing team won't go that high, but I wouldn't be surprised if they go to $35 million. The Yankees may go even higher than that since if they extend rather than sign him as a free agent, Texas pays $20 million of the contract.

What I'd try to do is extend the contract to cover the next five year guaranteed. Then build in a continuously renewing team option, much like Tim Wakefield has with Boston. In five years, Alex should have around 700 home runs, leaving him two or three years from the record, depending on how much longer Bonds plays. As long as he's on a pace to set records, the team keeps renewing. And if he gets injured, the team is off the hook. And if indeed Rodriguez keeps on a pace to break Rose's hit record, so much the better. A $35 million a year contract that renews for twelve years grosses Alex $420 million. Not a bad payday for anyone.


Posted by David Pinto at 03:13 PM | Free Agents | TrackBack (0)
Comments

Do you honestly think Boras would ever let a client agree to a continuously renewing team option?

Posted by: gordon at October 9, 2007 05:48 PM

In the end, A-Rod just isn't worth that kind of money in this market. I believe there are only three players even making $20 million per year. (Clemens, A-Rod, and Manny Ramirez). Clemens only had a one year deal and most would say it was a mistake giving him that much bank. The Sox have been trying to get out of the Manny contract for years.

A #1 starter is far more valuable than any one position player and the current market value of a top-tier starter is $15-19 million. For the kind of money A-Rod wants, a team could have a Josh Beckett and a Johan Santana.

Any GM with a budget would take a pass and concentrate on building a full team. The only team with no budget is the Yanks.

Posted by: Shawn at October 9, 2007 08:32 PM

sorry but boras wouldnt ever give out multiple team options like that.

I disagree with shawn. A top position player is worth well more than an ace. 162 games vs 30 each year. plus there arent exactly lots of aces floating around. Arod has way more impact on a team in a single season than Beckett or Santana does

Posted by: sam at October 9, 2007 11:15 PM

sorry but boras wouldnt ever give out multiple team options like that.

Isn't this what Boras effectively did with Pudge? So there is precedent.

If I am A-Rod or Boras, I ask for that salary to be paid in ounces of gold.

Posted by: Rob McMillin at October 9, 2007 11:25 PM

Pudge was an injury prone player at the time his contract was signed so I believe this forced their hand.

Posted by: sam at October 10, 2007 10:40 AM
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