Yanks to ARod: Sign Now or Drop Dead

by Adam J. Morris on Jul 13, 2007 11:02 AM CDT in News

The Yankees have a message for Alex Rodriguez: sign an extension before opting out of your contract, or don't sign with us at all.

A source told the Daily News that the Bombers have made it clear to A-Rod and his agent, Scott Boras, that they have no intention in taking part in a free-agent bidding war for the two-time American League MVP, and that if he chooses to opt out of his current contract and open the bidding to the rest of baseball, his days in pinstripes will be over.

Rodriguez has until 10 days after the World Series - Nov.10 at the latest - to opt out of the contract.

With the Texas Rangers, A-Rod's former team, set to contribute more than $30million to the $81 million that Rodriguez will make on the final three years of his current deal, the Yankees would be on the hook for that money if they were to sign him to a brand-new pact, as Texas would no longer be responsible for it should the contract be dissolved.

Rodriguez reiterated yesterday that he has no plans to negotiate a new deal during the season, setting up a potential showdown this fall between the Bombers and the third baseman.

Yay!

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Comments

Hicks will sign him

just watch and see.

One picture is worth 1,000 denials.

by nirvana on Jul 13, 2007 11:01 AM CDT reply actions

wouldnt surprise me

because he's just stupid enough to do that

"Pimps be damned, it's harder out here for a Rangers fan!" "If you don't throw strikes first, you're last."

by rentz on Jul 13, 2007 11:08 AM CDT up reply actions

I wouldn't complain

he would be by far the best player on the market this winter. It won't happen, though.

by t ball on Jul 13, 2007 11:09 AM CDT up reply actions

I hate ESPN

but I did like how they showed what free agents you could sign instead of ARod this winter. If he thinks once about ARod, then he should sign Zambrano, Lowell and Gagne instead.

by badradiorules on Jul 13, 2007 12:22 PM CDT up reply actions

Gagne + Zambrano

That combination is likely to be the same or more than ARod. Thats before you add in the likely 8-10 million for Lowell.

Zambrano is going to likely get more than Zito got last year and Gagne is probably looking at 8-10 a year.

by JKolar on Jul 13, 2007 3:15 PM CDT up reply actions

Correction

ARod's going to be the most talented player, and perhaps the best HR hitter on the market this winter.

A guy who has undeniable power, but who looked recently like he was running with cement shoes nursing that "normal" hammy, and who has the baseball instincts of a Little Leaguer (with an amazing ability to embarrass himself, even tripping over his own shoelaces his first game as a Ranger 7+ years ago) doesn't come close to being "the best player".

That's why he needs Scott Boras, to lay the groundwork for paying him double what he's worth. That's what Boras has been doing recently, and sure as God made little apples, someone's going to buy into all that propaganda.

by WebmistressEMC on Jul 14, 2007 7:22 PM CDT up reply actions

Artificial time lines

from the Tom Hicks School of Negotiating

buffering....

by SteveP on Jul 13, 2007 11:14 AM CDT reply actions

So Wait...

According to this, either way, Texas is off the hook for next season?

"I don't think it's any kind of understatement to say that Rusty Greer is the greatest baseball player of all time."- my friend Kevin

by ghtd36 on Jul 13, 2007 11:15 AM CDT reply actions

No..

Not if ARod signes an extension of the current contract with the Yanks.

by Topgun22 on Jul 13, 2007 11:18 AM CDT up reply actions

only if AROD opts out

are we off the hook for the 30 million over the next 3 years

by OKC Ranger Fan on Jul 13, 2007 11:18 AM CDT up reply actions

For the first time,

I'm starting to think he won't be Yankee next season. Good news.

www.mavsmoneyball.com

by Wes Cox on Jul 13, 2007 11:18 AM CDT reply actions

This is too funny

Yanks losing, Podsada feeling left out and now a certainty that A-Rod opts out...almost makes up for us being in last place

by Taylor on Jul 13, 2007 11:23 AM CDT reply actions

I think that's bogus

That he can sign an extension and we are still on the hook for that money.

To me an extension is a brand new contract,however I am sure it is in writing somewhere.

I can't see that threat by the Yankees working...if anything it will anger Arod and Boras even more to the extent that they will for sure not sign and extension.

by clinton33 on Jul 13, 2007 11:37 AM CDT reply actions

An extension

is a brand new contract? That must be some novel new legal theory I hadn't heard.

I'd always assumed it was called an extension because it extended the terms of the existing contract.

by DJCahill on Jul 13, 2007 11:40 AM CDT up reply actions

Lawyer bully

by badradiorules on Jul 13, 2007 12:23 PM CDT up reply actions

Root For the Yankees

Now this means we're supposed to root for the Yankees to win the WS.

I'm not a Yankee hater, but I don't like the idea of rooting for them to win so they have as little time to negotiate with ARod as possible.

If we actually believe ARod then once the Yankees season is over they can negotiate with him. I guess that's why they attempted to start talks the other day. Their season is over.

by tspeck007 on Jul 13, 2007 12:29 PM CDT reply actions