A-Rod opts out of contract

[Mavs Man]

Yes!

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_y...B?slug=ap-yankees-rodriguez&prov=ap&type=lgns

By RONALD BLUM, AP Baseball Writer
October 28, 2007

DENVER (AP) -- Alex Rodriguez opted out of his $252 million, 10-year contract with the Yankees on Sunday in what appears to be the end of his career with New York.

Rodriguez's decision, announced by agent Scott Boras during Game 4 of the World Series, makes him eligible to become a free agent.

Rodriguez loses the final $72 million in guaranteed salary in the contract, of which $21.3 million was to be covered by payments from the Texas Rangers to the Yankees, and becomes eligible for free agency. New York had said it would not attempt to re-sign A-Rod if he opted out.

Boras said during a telephone interview that Rodriguez made his choice because he was uncertain whether Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada and Andy Pettitte would return to the Yankees.

"Alex's decision was one based on not knowing what his closer, his catcher and one of his statured pitchers was going to do," Boras said. "He really didn't want to make any decisions until he knew what they were doing."

Boras said he attempted to notify Yankees general manager Brian Cashman of the decision Sunday but couldn't reach him, so he left a voice mail.

"He was traveling and I was traveling," Boras said.

A-Rod, likely to win his third AL MVP award next month, made his decision before the Yankees announced a replacement for departed manager Joe Torre. Broadcaster Joe Girardi and bench coach Don Mattingly were the top contenders, and the team also interviewed first-base coach Tony Pena.

Texas turns out to be the biggest winner, saving the remaining money it would have had to pay New York as part of the 2004 trade. Boras said the Rangers remain responsible for $3 million in annual deferred money A-Rod is owed in the next three years under the contract.

"We're going to wait until we hear officially, but obviously it would be welcome news on our end," Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said in an e-mail to The Associated Press.

Rodriguez hit .314 this year and led the major leagues in home runs and RBIs. He was announced as a winner of a Hank Aaron award for offensive achievement before Game 4 but was not on hand to receive it. Boras said Rodriguez had a family commitment.

AP Sports Writer Stephen Hawkins in Dallas contributed to this report.

 

[irvin88]

Good riddance to his choking *** !!

 

[03EBZ06]

I wonder if Redsox will be gunning for A-Rod.

 

[Mavs Man]

Another good question - does A-Rod have any chance of receiving anything close to what the Yankees offered him this week?

I have my doubts, but then, Tom Hicks was the one who bid against himself seven years ago. I'm not saying he's going back to the Rangers, but that with Boras it seems there's always someone willing to break the bank.

 

[GTaylor]

Don't pop the champagne just yet as they haven't filed the paperwork. This could be nothing more than posturing, but if he does opt-out (Which I've always thought he would, you can count on one hand the number of Boras clients who resigned with their own team) then this is great news! We won't have to hear about the stupid contract, no longer have to pay the Yanks (Still owe the deferred money) and we can finally move on. Curious who he would play for, my assumption: Angels, They have the $$$ to pay him, OC would be a peaceful place for him to play and they have a strong team in a weak division. Cubs, large market high-profile team that would embrace him and he'd be the man. Red Sox, they have the $$$ and a strong team, but would they embrace him? Giants, younger version of Bonds only he can play gold-glove defense. Yankees, doubtful, but never say never.

 

[Rampage]

I wonder if Redsox will be gunning for A-Rod.

i doubt it. the redsox are to busy winning championships without him

 

[Mavs Man]

Don't pop the champagne just yet as they haven't filed the paperwork. This could be nothing more than posturing, but if he does opt-out (Which I've always thought he would, you can count on one hand the number of Boras clients who resigned with their own team) then this is great news! We won't have to hear about the stupid contract, no longer have to pay the Yanks (Still owe the deferred money) and we can finally move on. Curious who he would play for, my assumption: Angels, They have the $$$ to pay him, OC would be a peaceful place for him to play and they have a strong team in a weak division. Cubs, large market high-profile team that would embrace him and he'd be the man. Red Sox, they have the $$$ and a strong team, but would they embrace him? Giants, younger version of Bonds only he can play gold-glove defense. Yankees, doubtful, but never say never.

Someone on Mike & Mike this morning suggested Florida. Not seriously, mind you, since he would singlehandedly double their payroll, but it's still not so much that it would kill them financially, they'd bring more fan interest, and he's from the area.

The Cubs could be an interesting place for him, especially once they get a new owner in there.

 

[Nors]

He is opting out because he couldn't handle the pressure and scrutiny in NYC. He would have a mental breakdown in Boston. I see Sox resiging Lowell and not really going after A-Rod

 

[jimmy40]

He is opting out because he couldn't handle the pressure and scrutiny in NYC. He would have a mental breakdown in Boston. I see Sox resiging Lowell and not really going after A-Rod

A-Rod will be playing shortstop.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Well, the Dodgers could afford to pay him. The seriously need another bat in that lineup. There is a very heavy Hispanic fan base so that could work. I think the other likely destination is the Angels. The Cubs might work and if they would pay him, I could see that working with Sweet Lou there.

Either way, I never hated A-Rod. I never really liked him but I never hated him. Without him, the Yanks can go out and get pitching, which is what they really need anyway. I think it will be OK. The Yanks have enough Bats in that lineup. Pitching is what is needed and with the excess cash this departure creates, the Yankees should be able to go out and get a couple of decent pitchers for the upcoming season.

 

[Rampage]

A-Rod will be playing shortstop.

not for the redsox. we don't want a guy who forgets how to play baseball in october

 

[peplaw06]

I hear the Mets are players in this too. Can you imagine that infield?

1B - Delgado
2B - Reyes
SS - ARod
3B - Wright

 

[Nors]

I hear the Mets are players in this too. Can you imagine that infield?

1B - Delgado
2B - Reyes
SS - ARod
3B - Wright

A Rod has no rings, thats a nice infield.

Pitching wins in baseball

 

[GTaylor]

A Rod has no rings, thats a nice infield.

Pitching wins in baseball

While pitching is more important you can still win with the bats, Anaheim did and Detroit would have as well except they picked the worst time to slump.

 

[Doomsday]

A-Rod will be playing shortstop.

The RedSox have a ton of cash tied up in Lugo, I doubt they will spend more on the position for A-Rod.

A-Rod cant handle the scrutiny in NY? Seems odd to say that when he just had one of the greatest years in the history of the sport. Yes he struggled in the post season, but so did the entire Yankees lineup. You have to give the Indians pitching staff thier due, they dominated that series.

 

[Rampage]

The RedSox have a ton of cash tied up in Lugo, I doubt they will spend more on the position for A-Rod.

A-Rod cant handle the scrutiny in NY? Seems odd to say that when he just had one of the greatest years in the history of the sport. Yes he struggled in the post season, but so did the entire Yankees lineup. You have to give the Indians pitching staff thier due, they dominated that series.

yeah but A-rod's homerun in game 4 against the indians was his 1st postseason rbi since 2004