George King of the New York Post reports that the Yankees plan on sitting down with Alex Rodriguez to prevent the third baseman from opting out of his contract.
“Apparently we will talk soon, I am told,” Rodriguez’s agent, Scott Boras, said last night when asked about the Yankees brass talking to his client. “I would expect it will include all parties.”
Asked if there were an offer on the table from the Yankees, Boras didn’t say yes or no but explained Rodriguez wasn’t interested in talking financial terms until he hears from Hank and Hal Steinbrenner about the direction George Steinbrenner’s sons intend to take with the Yankees.
“We have been very clear with the Yankees that we are not in the economic phase of the process,” Boras said. “We are considering our next step and that will be preceded by taking in information. We want to be thorough. Alex wants to know the intentions of Hank and Hal.”
One intention of the Steinbrenner sons is that if Rodriguez opts out of the contract and the Yankees don’t get the benefit of the $30 million for the next three years they would receive from the Rangers, they won’t chase the third baseman into the free agency pool. Some view that as a negotiating ploy; others believe the Steinbrenners will stick to their statement and allow Rodriguez to flee The Bronx as a free agent even, though everybody in the organization knows he can’t be replaced on the field or as a box office and television draw.
If the Yankees want to keep A-Rod, all they have to do is blow Scott Boras and him out of the water with a contract extension offer. Give him a deal he would not be able to top on the open market. This will at least save the Yanks the money that they would lose from Texas if he opts out of his deal. The pickings are slim to replace him. If there is one thing the Yankees can part with, it is money. This team would be hit hard losing his production.
