A-Rod Speaks, Will the Yankees, No Wait. The Yankees Speak, Will A-Rod List -- No, Um, When Either Side Speaks, Will Anyone Listen?

Let me get this straight. Brian Cashman didn't want to negotiate with A-Rod -- until A-Rod began single-handedly saving his team. Now it appears it might be too late. Who's he been getting his advice from? Dan Duquette?

Comments

[Nick-YF]

what was silly of Cashman was to announce a policy before the season began. By taking such a transparently false stance (we're not going to negotiate an extension during the season), he's publicly made the Yanks look foolish and given A-Rod even more leverage. When reporters asked him about it, he should have avoided any definitive answer.

Great title by the way, Paul!

[John - YF (Trisk)]

I don't think this was a "Transparently False Stance." I honestly believe that this is all in Cash's master plan. We won't negotiate, we will negotiate and then the ultimatum will all lead up to Alex being traded prior to July 31st. There isn't a better player in the game right now, that's understood, but if this matter goes to the offseason we could be left with nothing to show. So by trading him now the Yankees can guarantee they get something in return, rather then lose him and really gain nothing. It will be a huge loss offensively, but I think in the end this will be the best move for the team. Cashman knows what he is doing, this is all a plan.

If it's the Angels by the way, I want Brandon Wood, Kotchman and a SP (not Santana).

[yf2k]

So how much do you think A-rod will sign for? $30-35 million/year?

Ichiro's re-signing with the Mariners was for about $90 mil/5 years.

[Nick-YF]

How could a master plan involve trading a person with a no-trade clause? I'm sorry but you're giving Cashman way too much credit.

[dc]

one rumor is that the yanks have approached arod about an extension and have done the same with posada and rivera so as not to alienate them...the yanks have threatened to "opt out" if arod decides to test free agency...in other words sign now, or no "yankee leverage" in negotiating with other teams...good strategy...

[attackgerbil]

The thought of Yankee "leverage" is so funny to me. I'm not saying that the Yankee F.O. has to kiss his ass, but how is making threats helpful?

[dc]

not "threats" ag, but if the yanks are serious about not becoming part of the bidding war, then you could argue that diminishes arod's value somewhat...if boras is as good at math as we are led to believe, that makes a difference...a major, historically foolish-with-money team is removed from the bidding...the question is just how sincere the yankee's statements are at this point, and is arod better off with or without the yankees...remember too, only the yankees still have the $81m from the rangers to play with...every other team has to make that up...good luck arod, and good riddance if it comes down to that...he'll have proven for the second time that it's only about the money...

[dc]

"...$81m from the rangers..."

i wish...it's something less than that for the remaining 3 years...$30m or so i think...the $81m is roughly the remaining value of the contract give or take some incentives and other opt outs tied to being the highest paid player...