It’s impossible to ignore the coverage that Alex Rodriguez’s contract situation has been getting really all season. The most recent news item being the Cubs rumored offer of a $30 million per season, 10 year deal and eventual part ownership of the club. While it may be early to start worrying about A-Rod’s destination, all of the buzz around the topic seems to warrant some speculation. Here I am going to outline what seems to be the 5 teams A-Rod is most likely to play for next season.
5.) The Boston Red Sox- Mike Lowell has had an outstanding season at 3B but he is an impending free agent. The Red Sox could also attempt to move A-Rod back to SS and dump the struggling Julio Lugo. The Red Sox nearly acquired Rodriguez prior to the 2004 season so the interest is likely still to be there. The Red Sox are one of the few teams with the payroll capable of meeting A-Rod and Scott Boras’ demands and they would surely jump at the chance to scorn the Yankees by taking away their star, but they still seem like a long shot considering that if A-Rod wants to escape the pressure of New York, then Boston is not the best place to go.
4.) San Francisco Giants- The Giants have officially severed ties with Barry Bonds and will be looking for a new face for their organization. They showed last season that they are capable of making the big signing by outbidding everyone else for Barry Zito (it’s debatable on whether that’s a good thing or not). The Giants would likely be tantalized by the possibility of seeing the all time home run record being broken by one of their player’s twice within 20 years and by A-Rod’s leadership to the young players they hope to be bringing up soon. Still, while being handicapped with Barry Zito’s contract the Giants may not be able to afford Rodriguez.
3.) Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim- For years the Angels have seemingly been a power hitter away from being a perennial World Series favorite. Vlad Guerrero can’t do it all on his own after all. The Angels appeared set at 3B for the future, but former super prospect Dallas Mcphereson’s stock has plummeted, so A-Rod could be the perfect fit for the Angels to pair along with Vlad. A-Rod played on the west coast the majority of his career so he’d likely be very willing to go back, however once again the money likely is not there for the Angels to land A-Rod.
2.) Chicago Cubs- The Cubs must have the money to land Rodriguez based on the outlandish rumors of their potential offer. Once again, it’s rumored as $30 million per season over 10 years with part of the money deferred to partial ownership of the team down the road. With Aramis Ramirez just recently signed to a multi year deal and seemingly unable to be placed anywhere else on defense, the Cubs would also likely give A-Rod the opportunity to return to SS. Another factor is Lou Piniella, who A-Rod is a very close relationship with from their days in Seattle, with A-Rod even calling Piniella “a savior”. If A-Rod does choose to leave the Yankees then it seems almost certain that he would go to Chicago.
1.) The New York Yankees- It may seem a bit anti-climactic but chances are that Alex Rodriguez will still be a Yankee in 2008. He could just choose to not opt out of his contract and end all of this controversy; however he likely will opt out anyway just to make some extra money (I guess $25 million a year just isn’t enough). Even though Brian Cashman has said if A-Rod opts out that he would not be part of the bidding for Rodriguez. Still, Cashman would not want to tarnish his image by allowing one of the greatest players ever to play the game walk away. Add in the fact that the only alternatives currently on the roster would be Wilson Betemit or Andy Phillips, Cashman will likely do anything in his power to keep A-Rod in pinstripes. Some other options at 3B next year for the Yankees should Rodriguez leave would be signing Mike Lowell or even a trade for someone like Eric Chavez or Hank Blalock. What will likely be the biggest determining factor is how A-Rod fares in the playoffs, if he has another showing like last season’s ALDS against the Tigers or 2005’s ALDS against the Angels and is booed mercilessly by the crowd and torn apart in the tabloids then do not expect to see A-Rod return to the Yankees.
5.) The Boston Red Sox- Mike Lowell has had an outstanding season at 3B but he is an impending free agent. The Red Sox could also attempt to move A-Rod back to SS and dump the struggling Julio Lugo. The Red Sox nearly acquired Rodriguez prior to the 2004 season so the interest is likely still to be there. The Red Sox are one of the few teams with the payroll capable of meeting A-Rod and Scott Boras’ demands and they would surely jump at the chance to scorn the Yankees by taking away their star, but they still seem like a long shot considering that if A-Rod wants to escape the pressure of New York, then Boston is not the best place to go.
4.) San Francisco Giants- The Giants have officially severed ties with Barry Bonds and will be looking for a new face for their organization. They showed last season that they are capable of making the big signing by outbidding everyone else for Barry Zito (it’s debatable on whether that’s a good thing or not). The Giants would likely be tantalized by the possibility of seeing the all time home run record being broken by one of their player’s twice within 20 years and by A-Rod’s leadership to the young players they hope to be bringing up soon. Still, while being handicapped with Barry Zito’s contract the Giants may not be able to afford Rodriguez.
3.) Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim- For years the Angels have seemingly been a power hitter away from being a perennial World Series favorite. Vlad Guerrero can’t do it all on his own after all. The Angels appeared set at 3B for the future, but former super prospect Dallas Mcphereson’s stock has plummeted, so A-Rod could be the perfect fit for the Angels to pair along with Vlad. A-Rod played on the west coast the majority of his career so he’d likely be very willing to go back, however once again the money likely is not there for the Angels to land A-Rod.
2.) Chicago Cubs- The Cubs must have the money to land Rodriguez based on the outlandish rumors of their potential offer. Once again, it’s rumored as $30 million per season over 10 years with part of the money deferred to partial ownership of the team down the road. With Aramis Ramirez just recently signed to a multi year deal and seemingly unable to be placed anywhere else on defense, the Cubs would also likely give A-Rod the opportunity to return to SS. Another factor is Lou Piniella, who A-Rod is a very close relationship with from their days in Seattle, with A-Rod even calling Piniella “a savior”. If A-Rod does choose to leave the Yankees then it seems almost certain that he would go to Chicago.
1.) The New York Yankees- It may seem a bit anti-climactic but chances are that Alex Rodriguez will still be a Yankee in 2008. He could just choose to not opt out of his contract and end all of this controversy; however he likely will opt out anyway just to make some extra money (I guess $25 million a year just isn’t enough). Even though Brian Cashman has said if A-Rod opts out that he would not be part of the bidding for Rodriguez. Still, Cashman would not want to tarnish his image by allowing one of the greatest players ever to play the game walk away. Add in the fact that the only alternatives currently on the roster would be Wilson Betemit or Andy Phillips, Cashman will likely do anything in his power to keep A-Rod in pinstripes. Some other options at 3B next year for the Yankees should Rodriguez leave would be signing Mike Lowell or even a trade for someone like Eric Chavez or Hank Blalock. What will likely be the biggest determining factor is how A-Rod fares in the playoffs, if he has another showing like last season’s ALDS against the Tigers or 2005’s ALDS against the Angels and is booed mercilessly by the crowd and torn apart in the tabloids then do not expect to see A-Rod return to the Yankees.
1 comment:
Hello Josh. Is this the first comment you have had? I just wrote a really long and well written (in my opinion) comment on your A-Rod post, but for some reason I couldn't post it. Oh well. Btw do you know who this is? :)
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