Before Alex Rodriguez opted out of his contract with the Yankees earlier this week, the team was told that it would not be able to meet with the third baseman unless it presented an offer of at least $350 million, sources say.
The Yankees had hoped to meet with Rodriguez this week, and would have presented him with an extension offer close to five years and $150 million, to begin at the conclusion of his 2008-2010 contract, through which he would have earned $81 million. Through the Yankees' proposal, then, Rodriguez would have made about $230 million over eight years, and during the last five years of the contract, sources say, he would have earned the highest annual salary in Major League Baseball history.
But team executives were told, sources say, that in order to arrange a meeting with Rodriguez, they would have to be prepared to make an extension offer that would take the third baseman's deal up to a total value of $350 million. That means that the offer the Yankees intended to propose would have been more than $100 million short.
The Mets, Dodgers, Angels, Giants and Marlins are among the teams which have not publicly ruled out pursuing Rodriguez. Sources say it is highly unlikely that the Dodgers will seriously entertain the possibility.
Report: A-Rod wanted $350 million
By Bryan Hoch / MLB.com
Boston Red Sox team president and CEO Larry Lucchino, whose organization spearheaded a run at Rodriguez before the 2004 season -- and before the Yankees swooped in with a February deal to acquire him -- said his team had its attention elsewhere, focusing on re-signing World Series MVP Mike Lowell.
Speaking on the Boston radio station WEEI, Lucchino voiced uncertainty that any club would be able to satisfy Rodriguez's contract demands.
"I also have trouble envisioning places where A-Rod can go," Lucchino said. "What teams have the financial wherewithal, as well as the specific need? If you survey the field, there aren't that many places. Now, I know it takes only one other place, and there may be somebody out there who is willing to sign on to some astronomically long, burdensome contract."
That's it, folks. Alex Rodriguez is no longer someone to take seriously. He wanted a solid $350M before he would even speak to them? Not only is he greedy beyond all belief (would the extra $100M really make a difference?), but he is also officially a caricature of the modern, un-salary capped baseball player. Congrats, Alex, on becoming the bane of MLB. You and Barry Bonds should go hang out in your shame.
(Also, the Marlins? I somehow doubt they're going to trade their entire organization to have Arod play down there.)In good baseball news, the Yanks picked up Abreu's option. Now can we please focus on Jorge? Rumor has it that the Mets have made a 4-year offer. Umm, no offense, but I'm pretty sure Posada will lose all effectiveness by 40, if not earlier. Thus, that's a large and possibly stupid offer, Minaya. The Yanks should suck it up and give him either three or two with an option for a third.
Well, I'm home again. The bus ride actually wasn't awful. Hell, it even arrived early. Oh, and the new dog (Vesper) is...interesting. She's a year old and really thin because she was a stray. She's incredibly hyperactive, too. Haha, Gypsy acts indifferent, but sometimes she seems incredibly annoyed by the new addition. Someone she tell her that Pearl felt the same way when she showed up.
