Alex Rodriguez to opt out of Yankees Contract

[Guest Gym Class Fallout]

Who will be the Turks to virtually mass-murder them out of existence?

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Who will be the Turks to virtually mass-murder them out of existence?

Hopefully the Devil Rays if their farm system comes together.

 

I'm jumping on the "Devil Rays in 2010" bandwagon. Nothing would be sweeter, save a Phillies world championship.

[Guest Gym Class Fallout]

A giant pile of salt would be sweeter. We survived the Buccaneers and Lightning; we don't need more frontrunning Tampa Bay sports fans emerging from their bunker.

[Jorge Gorgeous 0]

Who will be the Turks to virtually mass-murder them out of existence?

 

The Tuscaloosa Prom Kings

 

MLB's next expansion team.

[Cheech Tremendous 0]

Who will be the Turks to virtually mass-murder them out of existence?

 

 

Hey, I'm part Armenian and a Sox fan. Let's be nice now.

[Guest Gym Class Fallout]

Hey, no harm intended, Cheechian, just trying to show off my awareness of Armenian history, s'all. I just hope your lineage doesn't obligate you to think that System of a Down isn't a dogshit band.

[KingPK 0]

I doubt that.

 

The ownership almost traded him two years ago and put him on waivers the year before that. I agree with cheech: See if the decline in his numbers was just an off year or the start of a downward trend before committing that much when you can get a younger player and save about $5-7 million that can be used elsewhere.

[Slayer 0]

I'm part Armenian

So do you wear dress shoes with a sweatsuit?

 

Let's be nice now.

TSM

[Cheech Tremendous 0]

Hey, no harm intended, Cheechian, just trying to show off my awareness of Armenian history, s'all. I just hope your lineage doesn't obligate you to think that System of a Down isn't a dogshit band.

 

Czech's a smart guy.

 

And I think SOAD sucks balls.

[Guest Vitamin X]

Hey, I like SOAD. And I'm not Armenian, although a good family friend of ours is.

[Prophet of Mike Zagurski 0]

I'm part Armenian and I hate SOAD.

 

Back to Arod, why is Anaheim a prime candidate for him? 30 Million seems like a large number for a team pretending to be in a large market.

[Cheech Tremendous 0]

I'm part Armenian and I hate SOAD.

 

Back to Arod, why is Anaheim a prime candidate for him? 30 Million seems like a large number for a team pretending to be in a large market.

 

 

Anaheim is considered the prime landing spot for A-Rod because they have tons of cash, are committed to boosting the payroll by a large amount next year and overall, have a desperate need for a middle of the order hitter behind Vlad.

 

On top of that, southern California is about as perfect a destination for A-Rod as you can imagine. Perennial contender in a large market that supports the team, but doesn't have a media that will devour the players. He can slip right in at short or third right now and move to first in a few years when his defense is gone.

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

From the Onion:

 

DENVER—Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez found a way to inject some excitement into baseball and make the slow month of October interesting last Sunday when he announced that he would opt out of his quarter-of-a-billion dollar contract with New York in order to become a free agent this offseason.

 

The unusually slow month, the only interesting point of which was a seemingly unending array of baseball games—some of which even went past their usual nine-inning limit—was very nearly a complete disappointment for the league. Now, however, the clutch statement by Rodriguez has inspired fan interest once again and has many fans and members of the baseball media calling Rodriguez "a contemporary Mr. October."

 

"Thank you, A-Rod," said ESPN's Peter Gammons, who left a baseball game in Denver between the Boston Red Sox and the Colorado Rockies immediately after hearing the news Sunday and flew to Legends Field in Tampa to get comments from Yankees front man Hank Steinbrenner. "We desperately needed something to get us out of the never-ending drudgery that is fall baseball. This is a real treat. "

 

The announcement, made during the late innings of what thankfully and at long last turned out to be the final game of the 2007 season, came as a welcome respite to many. For the past month, baseball fans around the nation endured the interminable and repetitive process of determining the two league champions, followed by the predictable coronation of one overall champion.

 

"A-Rod's decision about free agency is what I have been waiting for all October," Boston resident Nat Boyle said. "Would A-Rod forfeit the remaining $91 million on his contract? Would the Texas Rangers be responsible for subsidizing $30 million of his salary? I mean, ever since I was a kid, that's what October has been all about."

 

Boyle's statement echoed the sentiments of millions and millions of fans watching the final baseball game on television, who, following Rodriguez's disclosure of his future plans were delighted by endless commentary on the situation by Fox's Joe Buck and Tim McCarver.

 

According to viewers, both Buck and McCarver thankfully talked for inning after exhilarating inning about what team Rodriguez might play for next year, what he must have been thinking to walk away from a $30 million annual salary, and what his decision meant for the future of the New York Yankees—a team that was not playing baseball at the time of the announcement and is not scheduled to play another professional baseball game until April 2008.

 

"I was dozing off there in the eighth [inning] right after I think some guy hit a home run to bring us within one run of tying," said Colorado resident Russ Gamble, who was in attendance at Coors Field at the time of the announcement. "But then my buddy nudged me, told me the news about A-Rod, and I was like, 'Man, this is fucking incredible!' I was literally on the edge of my seat thinking about where he might end up in 2008. Cubs? Tigers? Red Sox? Oh man, if I were the Red Sox, A-Rod would be my number-one priority."

 

Added Gamble: "Someday, I can tell my kid that I was at some baseball game when [Rodriguez's agent] Scott Boras sent an e-mail to the Associated Press saying that A-Rod had just opted out of the final three years on his 10-year, $252 million contract."

 

According to other fans in attendance, the entire stadium was "simply electric" from the moment of Rodriguez's announcement until the last out of the game, at which point many stated they became "extremely depressed" upon the realization that Rodriguez had very little chance of ending up in a Rockies uniform.

 

However, no matter where he eventually plays, Rodriguez's October legacy is now assured.

 

"Two things you can always bank on in October," ESPN's Baseball Tonight host Tim Kurkjian said. "One, baseball is thankfully almost over. And two, Alex Rodriguez will always be available to provide the fans with the kind of off-field heroics for which he has become so famous. Now, his contract belongs to the ages."

[Precious Roy 0]

nice

[geniusMoment 0]

And the first official offer is in:

 

 

TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) - Alex Rodriguez a Mud Hen?

 

Spurred by an offhand remark from George Steinbrenner's son, the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens want in on the A-Rod sweepstakes.

The Mud Hens playfully offered the prize free agent a deal Thursday — a contract proposal that includes a bonus for hitting 75 home runs next year and leading them to 10 straight International League titles.

 

Rodriguez recently opted out of his $252 million, 10-year contract with the New York Yankees. That prompted Hank Steinbrenner, son of the Yankees owner, to tell the New York Times: "Does he want to go into the Hall of Fame as a Yankee, or a Toledo Mud Hen?"

 

The Mud Hens conjured up an offer to find out, said Jason Griffin, a spokesman for the Detroit Tigers' top farm team.

 

Toledo created a Hall of Fame plaque of Rodriguez wearing a Mud Hens hat and sent a letter to his agent, Scott Boras.

 

The deal stipulates that Rodriguez will have to compete for a spot with Toledo third basemen Mike Hessman, the league's most valuable player last season.

 

"Would your client be willing to play a different position?" the letter asked.

 

 

[Prophet of Mike Zagurski 0]

I missed the part of the article that it was from the Onion. If that wasn't there, I could have sworn it was real.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

It is real, sort of. It's not a serious offer, but it's a legitimate publicity shot by the Mud Hens.

[Cheech Tremendous 0]

He was probably referring to the thing that Marvin posted.

 

So how much of this Florida Marlins thing do you think is real? There are several outlets that have reported that the Marlins might make A-Rod an exceptional offer to be the star of the team to try and continue a marketing campaign towards the local Latin population. Some think it could be enough to get them their stadium financing. Loria and Beinfest have independently confirmed their interest.

[Boon 0]

They'd literally have to double their payroll to land A-Rod. It's possible, just doesn't seem likely.

[Cheech Tremendous 0]

A-Rod wanted $350 million to stay with Yankees?!

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

He was probably referring to the thing that Marvin posted.

 

So how much of this Florida Marlins thing do you think is real? There are several outlets that have reported that the Marlins might make A-Rod an exceptional offer to be the star of the team to try and continue a marketing campaign towards the local Latin population. Some think it could be enough to get them their stadium financing. Loria and Beinfest have independently confirmed their interest.

I doubt it. Signing Rodriguez would mark a drastic departure from any strategy Loria has ever exercised. It would indicate some sort of hope and faith to the fans of the Florida Marlins. Loria has never done anything to intentionally encourage his fans.

[Guest Joseph Leonard Morgan]

The Yankees made the correct in not re-signing Alex Rodriguez. While his stats look impressive to the commoner's eye, his batting average with runners in scoring position is low. That's where a player's worth is truly evident. I would sign Mike Lowell for the position. The key is to find someone who will be friends with Robby Cano and The Captain Derek Jeter.

[Guest Pizza Hut's Game Face]

The Yankees made the correct in not re-signing Alex Rodriguez.

 

[Mik 0]

If the Marlins can manage to sign A-Rod and keep Hanley (who would then play CF) then I'd be thrilled.

 

It'd be worth the departure of Cabrera.

[Boxer 0]

I don't live in New York so I don't know the answer to this. But, will A-Rod be the most hated ex-Yankee ever? Will get booed really bad when he makes his return to the Bronx? Or will you guys actually cheer him and respect him for the 4 years or so of service in New York?

[devo 0]

Or will you guys actually cheer him and respect him for the 4 years or so of service in New York?

 

Hahahahahahahaha.

[Jorge Gorgeous 0]

I don't live in New York so I don't know the answer to this. But, will A-Rod be the most hated ex-Yankee ever? Will get booed really bad when he makes his return to the Bronx? Or will you guys actually cheer him and respect him for the 4 years or so of service in New York?

 

A-Rod is going to get hated on with much fervor and veracity.

If A-Rod joins the Boston Red Sox, A-Rod is going to be treated like a child rapist being released Into the general population of a prison, it will be the worst booing we have ever seen, and proof of New York's venemous demeanor.

[Boxer 0]

Hmmm.... if that's the case I guess the Yankees like the Mariners and Rangers learned the hard way that A-Rod was nothing but A FRAUD.

[randomguy 0]

I don't think A-Rod will be booed much by Yankee fans. He never said or did anything particularly nasty. When the Yankees got him they knew they were chasing a guy who guys to the highest bidder - just like almost any other player these days.

 

His last year with the club was his best and he had little to do with them sucking in the playoffs.

[Jorge Gorgeous 0]

I wouldnt boo A-Rod myself, but I really think hes going to hear it when he returns to the Bronx. The type of people who boo athletes aren't thinking "Well, he played great for us, and while I wish he would have stayed, I understand the need to get out there and explore the market." They're going to be thinking "$350 million? Fuck you! Boo!"