Calling Your Bluff

Alex Rodriguez’s contract situation is something that promises to be the Yankees main storyline throughout the off season. In fact it is probably the only thing that will take the attention off of the Yankees managerial opening. Once that position is filled, Brian Cashman and the rest of the Yankees front office will turn their full attention to Alex Rodriguez. Brian Cashman has made his opinion on the infamous opt out clause pretty clear, that if A-Rod opts out of his contract then the Yankees will not negotiate with him. Cashman is, however, prepared to possibly offer Rodriguez an enormous contract extension to sway him away from opting out. If this were true, it would be bad news for A-Rod and Scott Boras, as without the Yankees in the mix A-Rod will never be able to receive the record breaking contract he covets, as his price tag is unlikely to be brought up as much by the other teams. Cashman has reiterated this statement several times, but it remains to be seen if he will stick by these statements should it actually happen. Brian Cashman does not want to be the man that allowed one of the greatest players who ever played the game to walk away from the Yankees, so I for one wonder if he will stick by his words if A-Rod should become a free agent. These statements by Cashman could simply be a ploy to keep A-Rod from opting out so that the Texas Rangers can continue to send the Yankees money for A-Rod’s contract. The fact of the matter is, 54 home runs are irreplaceable in any lineup, even the Yankees, and Wilson Betemit or Mike Lowell would be far from adequate replacements. Much has been made of A-Rod’s post season play, but the Yankees need him, plain and simple. Cashman would not look good if he were to go back on his statements and still offer A-Rod a huge contract after he opts out, but he would likely take the hit for the good of the team. I, for one, do not believe that Cashman is just going to sit on his hands and allow A-Rod to go sing with the Boston Red Sox or some other team. Only time will tell, but it promises to be a dark cloud hanging over Yankee stadium until it is resolved.