The A-Rod Thread

[SportsWorld]

All things A-Rod goes here.
From what I understand after the World Series A-Rod has 10 days to choose whether or not to opt out. Not sure if this is right.

Teams vying for A-Rod:
*Yankees
*Red Sox
*Angels
*Cubs

A-Rod's agent Scott Boras recommended A-Rod to opt out:
http://www.realgmbaseball.com/src_wiret ... d_opt_out/

New York Times - After an interview with Alex Rodgriguez' agent Scott Boras, The New York Times reports that Rodriguez "seems sure to exercise the opt-out clause" in his record 10-year, $252 million contract.

"When the arbitrator gave free agency to baseball, is there anyone in baseball who the free-agent right meant more to than Alex Rodriguez?" Boras said. "Not with his last contract, but right now, now more than any point in history."

A-Rod has $91 million left on the deal originally given to him and still partially paid by the Texas Rangers.

Boras would seek a new 10-year, $300 million contract for his client.

[Robert23]

So is A-Rod the best player in baseball really worth $30 Mil a year for 10 years? Or is any player in baseball worth that much? Getting to the playoffs is half the battle but after how the Cubs did in the playoffs it looks like getting people who will show up is just as important. And he hasn't been that player and $300 million is a lot to gamble that he will become that kind of player. The thing I'd be most worried about is signing him and then being handy capped because of his salary and him not being able to get the Cubs any further in the playoffs. If money is'nt a problem then I'd go for it but if it is I'd think twice. And maybe think about signing 2 $15 mil players for shorter terms.

[Ruben Douglas]

My money is on the Red Sox to sign him. They will do it just to spite the Yankees. They did it with Dice-K and they'll do it again. Any team that signs him to that deal is dumb, that is way too much money.

[Howling Mad]

If A-Rod receives a contract for 10 years he'd be 42 when the contract is over.

I'm sure there would some type of opt out clause for the team, maybe around the 8th year(?). I just can't see him getting a contract for 300+ mil @ 10 years. Maybe if the contract decreased every year, but thats still a lot of money. A 310 mil contract for 10 years would start at 40 mil and the final year he would receive 22 mil. I guess by that time 22 mil won't be as bad as 22 mil in '07.

Now that I think of it, the draw of A-Rod for the next ten years, that might be worth it. This guy is going to set all time records and if he sticks out a 10 year contract, which he will, due to both, the 10 year vet rule or something, and the frackin' contract is ridonkulous. I wouldn't mind A-Rod retiring as a cub, then he'd bump Sosa down in the Cub greats list. lol.

Seriously I'd be all for A-Rod for 10 years 250 mil, anything more the contract would have to decrease.

Wow! Our lineup would compare to the Yankees. We could actually have the potential to score 1000 runs. Ok, I'm getting ahead of myself..

I predict A-Rod signs the contract with the Cubs and right before the season starts he dies choking on some goat cheese.

[treyZz]

$9 years $270 million.

Ship it Donuts.

[2poor]

Probably about time for one of these.

Come to Chicago A-Rod!

Regarding the contract, I guess its about what I expected. At his current pace and health-willing, he'll be breaking Bonds' HR record somewhere around the 6-8th year of his deal, and the fanfare/money/etc that will generate will be huge for whichever team has him...I know thats a strong selling point. A-Rod will actually be revered for breaking the HR record and I think we'll see coverage/celebration like no other.

Give the man what he wants.

[Howling Mad]

UPDATE ON A-ROD SITUATION!!!

Sources: Yanks Won't Re-Sign Rodriguez If He Opts Out

10th October, 2007 - 7:45 am

Brian Cashman reiterated his stance yesterday that the Yankees would not pursue Alex Rodriguez this winter if the third baseman opted out of his deal, as the Bombers would lose the $21 million due from the Rangers toward the $81 million remaining on the final three years of the contract.

"That would be my position and strong recommendation, but there are more people involved in the process," Cashman said. "I think that would be the sound practice. Not because we can't afford it, but because it becomes a much different economic animal. Because of that, your time is more now than later."

The Yankees firmly believe no other team will offer Rodriguez the money he is seeking, making New York the best fit for the two-time MVP. The Yankees plan to offer A-Rod a contract extension on his current deal, and if he turns it down, they're prepared to let him walk.

[Howling Mad]

I have no doubt the owners of the Cubs would have no problem spending for A-Rod. He would be the icon of Cub baseball(sorry Alfonso )

Is this something just to up the ante offer to A-Rod? I don't think so. I think the Yankees are making it well known that they will not let A-Rod use their Organization for any financial gain.

By backing out of the bidding as A-Rod opts out, The biggest possible bidder in baseball is subtracted from the equation and would result in A-Rod receiving less in his future contract.

[2poor]

I'm not going to get my hopes up, but if A-Rod does opt out, I have to believe we're in the driver's seat for getting him. Obviously he has a strong relationship with Lou, a passion for the city/team, and a new owner (TBD) who will likely be all for making a big splash after taking over the team.

What a sight it'd be to see A-Rod in Cubbie blue.

[IbreakNeckZ101]

I put in alot of thought about A-rod coming to Chicago.. but then something popped up. Do we really need another guy that can bring us to the postseason but can't win us a world series. If anything we should just spend the money on players that know how to win in the playoffs rather than people choking in the playoffs.

[GYBE]

I don't know...I tend to think the playoffs are all about luck. I think getting A-Rod would almost guarentee us the playoffs every year. The Cubs have never had that kind of sustained "goodness" (I can't say greatness without a championship), and it would give us a lot more chances for the breaks to go our way and get to the World Series.

I mean, if we make the playoffs for the next 5 years, that's gotta be considered a success right? Even without a ring, we've never been that consistent.

[2poor]

A-Rod's best postseason numbers came in Seattle, under none other than Lou Piniella.

He got the stigma as a "choker" from the quick-to-vilify NY media. Would you pass on Jeter as well because of his dismal postseason?

[IbreakNeckZ101]

I don't know...I tend to think the playoffs are all about luck. I think getting A-Rod would almost guarentee us the playoffs every year. The Cubs have never had that kind of sustained "goodness" (I can't say greatness without a championship), and it would give us a lot more chances for the breaks to go our way and get to the World Series.

I mean, if we make the playoffs for the next 5 years, that's gotta be considered a success right? Even without a ring, we've never been that consistent.

no ring no success....

[2poor]

You haven't reached your "ultimate goal," but to chalk it up as completely unsuccessful is a very grievous way to be a fan.

[Howling Mad]

I understand what GYBE is saying and I kinda feel the same way as breakNeck.

But you would think after making the playoffs after so many years with A-Rod leading the charge, one of those times we would get karma going our way.

So I guess I'm agreeing with GYBE too in some way.

I don't know A-Rod is good for it if it guarantees us the playoffs every year.

[GYBE]

Put it this way. The Cubs have never made the playoffs in consecutive years. Since 1945, we've made it a grand total of 5 times. This is our franchise's history.

If Hendry puts together a team that makes the postseason for 5 straight after 5 times in 62 years, I'm going to consider his tenure as our GM a success. I very much agree with Billy Beane when he says all a GM can do is build a team to get to the playoffs. Everything that happens after that is largely luck and timely bounces.

[2poor]

You have to also factor in A-Rod breaking the HR record. Would be quite the record to have go down as a Chicago Cub. Witnessing it would be unreal.

[Howling Mad]

Catching would be better!

[IlliniNRG]

Put it this way. The Cubs have never made the playoffs in consecutive years. Since 1945, we've made it a grand total of 5 times. This is our franchise's history.

If Hendry puts together a team that makes the postseason for 5 straight after 5 times in 62 years, I'm going to consider his tenure as our GM a success. I very much agree with Billy Beane when he says all a GM can do is build a team to get to the playoffs. Everything that happens after that is largely luck and timely bounces.

And how many Beane teams have been to the world series?

I think his theory has some validity, but it's still a theory. You can still make your team the best it can be for when it's in the playoffs, and you can still build a team for the format of the playoffs. For example, you can concentrate your monies on 3 dominant starters and 2 mediocre ones, versus 5 "good" starters.

But anyway, getting to the playoffs is definitely successful. I think most fans just want to make the distinction to guard against the idea that they would be satisfied with their GM resting on his laurels and shooting for 90 wins instead of 110.

[SportsWorld]

Catching would be better!

Geovany Soto