A-Rod Agonistes

He'll stay. Anyone knows that the Yankees will throw enough cash at him to stick around.

 

The Yankees, with the $10M a year from Texas, will extend him.

 

I'd say it's better than even money he stays, but if he goes the Angels would be the obvious place for him to land.

 

If he doesn't mind being the news Bugs Bunny, by all means.

 

Let's say Cuban manages to acquire the Cubs, and in fairly short order. Does that change the equation?

Bigpern, you're darned right there's the Scott Boras factor. That's one factor that makes it so interesting, along with A-Rod's drive for the home run record. Wrigley Field is one reason I put the Cubs slightly in the lead in this sweepstakes. Unless he chooses the Yankees, we'll be chewing on this one for months.

 

Can he play second base?


I think he'll go, and he should go. It's not working out in New York. He's never going to get that playoff monkey off his back in pinstripes. It's not completely his fault the Yankees have lost three straight American League Division Series, though he hasn't exactly played all that well. But he's always going to hear from everyone there, where he wouldn't in Anaheim or Chicago or Milwaukee or Seattle.

He'll get a raise, and his two MVPs warrant one -- in a sick, little way. He's under-appreciated as a whole in New York, and that's why he'll go; it won't be for more money, though he'll get it -- but not for a 10-year deal.

My guess is he'll be a Cub to be with Lou, a Giant to replace Bonds or an Angel to hit next to Vlad. As great as it'd be to see him in a Mets uniform, I doubt that'll happen.

 

I would love to see him out on the Left Coast with the Giants.

I think he'll end up with the Angels.

Its a damn shame he's not playing SS anymore because 4 years ago he was the best in the game (well next to Vizquel) and more valuable there. I enjoyed watching him play short and hope maybe he loses a few pounds and goes back there.

As for his playoff troubles? Well Jeter hit .176 and many players have struggled in the playoffs in their careers; even my beloved Willie Mays did not overwhelm. Usually its the Lemkes and Mazeroskis who provide the lasting memories, not the Mantle, Musial, and Mays' (well there was the catch in '54.)

 

Vlad + A-Rod = Ortiz + Manny

 

You think he won't test the market & declare free agency?

 

Once he opts out, Rangers are off the hook for the three years that remain on the original contract.

 

fixed

 

Which is why the Yankees have said that if he opts out, he's gone. They want to re-sign him, but they want to keep Texas paying a portion of the contract.

If he opts out, he'll cost them almost twice as much as he does now.