The Yankees want Alex Rodriguez back in pinstripes. Sources say the two sides are talking - but the Yanks don't want agent Scott Boras involved in the negotiations.
Alex Rodriguez may be headed back to the Bronx after all -- but on the Yankees' terms.
Despite all of the back-and-forth posturing between the Yankees and A-Rod' camp, the Daily News learned today that the two sides have been discussing a deal for the past few days to keep the two-time MVP in pinstripes, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.
The biggest catch? The Yankees don't want agent Scott Boras involved in the negotiations.
A high-ranking Yankees source told the Daily News that the team is willing to bring Rodriguez back on a below-market contract, one that would make up for the $21 million subsidy from the Rangers that the Yanks lost when A-Rod opted out of the final three years of his contract.
In addition, the Yankees don't want to deal with Boras, who has been Rodriguez's agent since the slugger was 16 years old.
"We will not negotiate with Scott Boras," a Yankees source said. "He cannot be in the room."
The Yankees are also aware that Boras could convince Rodriguez to stop the talks. "We realize it could be a trap to get us back in the negotiations," said one Yankee official. "But we don't think that's the case."
Rodriguez apparently approached the Yankees through a third-party intermediary. "He went to them," said the source.
As the Daily News reported today, A-Rod will have to have person-to-person talks with the Steinbrenner brothers -- Hank and Hal -- before a deal can be sealed.
"Alex is going to be back with the Yankees," the source said, speaking on the condition of anonymity because the deal had not been made public. "The Yankees don't have a choice. How are they going to compete without Alex? They need him back."
A second Yankees source said that the team believes A-Rod is trying to restore his image, which has taken a beating since Boras announced the opt-out during Game 4 of the World Series.
By taking a contract below market value, Rodriguez would be showing fans that it wasn't all about getting the most money, and that he truly wants to finish his career in pinstripes.
"Alex likes to be the center of the universe," the source said. "He wants to be a part of the Stadium going down and the opening of the new one. It's not about money. It's about his face being everywhere. This is the only stage that can guarantee that."
"Most of this is about Alex trying to salvage his image," said another source close to the negotiations. "He's upset over the way this whole thing has played out and the way he's being portrayed now, because of Boras."
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseb ... _thei.html
