According to some back channel sources that go three to four deep, Alex Rodriguez has already decided what three teams he’d play for next season. He can opt out of his current 10-year, $252 million contract that has three years and just under $100 million remaining, and his agent Scott Boras has made it known to a choice few that there are only three teams Rodriguez will play for in 2008, and the Yankees are not one of them.
Repeat - With the ball in Alex’s court, the New York Yankees are not on that three-team list.
The Los Angeles Dodgers, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the Boston Red Sox are said to be those three clubs, and all three make sense for both player and team.
The Dodgers need the offensive presence and everyday third baseman and if Rodriguez came to town GM Ned Colletti could package 3B prospect Andy LaRoche in trade for more help. The money is there for Colletti to hand the surefire 2007 American League MVP, for whom Boras is seeking at least a five-year deal worth $150 million or more.
The Red Sox nearly traded for Rodriguez three years ago when the Texas Rangers were attempting to get out from under the record-setting contract, but the deal fell through and the superstar landed in the Bronx in return for a package that included Alfonso Soriano.
Of course, the Sox have an all-star third baseman of their own right now in Mike Lowell, but his contract ends after this season and Boston could look to make a rather large offensive upgrade by handing Rodriguez a bunch of money.
With Manny Ramirez again and always a possibility to be traded, Boston would be well served to go get A-ROD if they get the chance. The only question is, will the ownership group spend that kind of money on one player right now. They did it once with Ramirez’s 8-year, $160 million deal seven years ago, but unless Manny is dealt this winter, one has to wonder if they’ll risk raising their payroll to the levels necessary - they are already spending over $140 million this season and have been over $120 million for four straight years.
Imagine that lineup, however, if Ramirez remains in Boston and Alex Rodriguez comes to town; Jacoby Ellsbury and Coco Crisp at the top with Rodriguez, Ortiz and Ramirez serving as the game’s best trio.
Scary. But even without Ramirez, the 2008 Boston Red Sox, who might be the best team in baseball this season, figure to be better next year, and the presence of Rodriguez makes them a clear favorite to win it all.
The Angels are an unlikely home for A-ROD, as the Halos continue to utilize their farm system as well as any club in the circuit. There is a place at third base, since Dallas McPherson can’t seem to stay off the disabled list and Chone Figgins is a better fit as a utility player and outfielder, but it’s difficult to imagine Arte Moreno giving anyone that much more money than Vladimir Guerrero, whose contract runs through 2009 on a club option.
Finding room under the team’s self-set payroll cap is actually not the problem; The contracts of Orlando Cabrera and Garret Anderson expire after the 2008 season,wiping more than $20 million off the books, with Bartolo Colon’s ending after the current season, and their replacements will likely come from the farm system.
The Angels, however, would probably better served making trades to fill their holes in the bullpen, rotation, and in the outfield where Anderson is below average and is better suited at DH. And their are enough young players (Aybar, Kendry Morales, Jeff Mathis/MikeNapoli, Brandon Wood) that could be packaged with a veteran or two (Orlando Cabrera) to get all of that done this winter.
Rodriguez just isn’t necessary in Anaheim, though a Rodriguez-Guerrero tandem is a fun one to think about, unless you’re a fan of one of the other three teams in the AL West.
Perhaps the best fit is with the Los Angeles Dodgers. L.A. finished 82-80 this season but remained in the playoff race until the final month of the year. The infusion of Matt Kemp and James Loney in place of aging, less talented veterans kept Los Angeles in it for a lot longer in which than they were expected.
Rafael Furcal and Juan Pierre at the top of the order, with Rodriguez, Kemp, Loney, All-Star catcher Russell Martin and a healthy Nomar Garciaparra would provide the Dodgers with plenty off offense to win the ultra-competitive NL West.
Rodriguez would certainly play third in L.A., pushing Garciaparra into a part-time role or another position change - maybe second base? Maybe traded to an AL team (Angels?) with some cash to clear a spot on the roster for more valuable reserve.
A-ROD would anchor a pretty dynamic infield at Dodgers Stadium if Colletti makes the right moves, including buying out Jeff Kent’soption, trading Nomar, trading Laroche for pitching or an outfielder and being bold and sliding Furcal to second base and breaking camp with Chin-Lung Hu as the team’s shortstop and 8-hole hitter.
That would give the Dodgers yet another leg up on their task of improving their run-differential of +8 this season. Furcal’s range at short is solid. At second it’d likely be among the best in the game. Hu is a terrific defender and could also play second if Furcal resists the change.
Loney is solid at first base and Rodriguez handles third very well.
While other clubs make sense for Rodriguez, such as the Detroit Tigers who are starting Brandon Inge at the hot corner everyday and are moving shortstop Carlos Guillen to first base in 2008 to keep him healthy, it all comes down to money. The Tigers aren’t a good candidate to fork over that kind of cash,and the Chicago White Sox are better served spending on their outfield and rotation and sticking with Josh Fields or Joe Crede at third.
One of the sources that shared the “three-team” information is an agent who has a player that knows Rodriguez from their days in Texas, and the two speak on a regular basis.
One other note the agent shared from his own info bank stemming from his conversations with Boras:
Should Rodriguez have a big October in pinstripes, he becomes far less likely to feel the desire to leave the Bronx.
At that point, the hammer resides in the hands of the Yankees.
Interesting that the Cubs aren’t on that list, what with the ownership rumor (illegal, I know) and A-Rod’s connection with Lou Piniella.
But are we really to believe A-Rod will play anywhere other than shortstop when he leaves NY and Jeter? Do we really think the Dodgers would shift Furcal to make room for Chin-Lung Hu and not the greatest shortstop of all-time?
I guess we’ll see.
If AROD told LA he wanted to play SS, they’d certainly let him play short.
That’s not much of an issue anywhere. But I don’t see the Cubs new ownership even taking over until it’s too late to be factor, and now if they sign Alex, they’ll be investigated by MLB.
But that’s just my opinion. I didn’t base any of this on my own thoughts. Just what I was told.
By the way, metstoday, I’ve heard your Mets are planning on re-starting up the Orlando Hudson conversations with the D-Backs.
That’d be a really nice infield if Minaya is able to snag him. Heilman’s not going to get it done, but Humber+Heilman might.
[...] to a rumor posted at Prospect Insider, Alex Rodriguez has a short list of three teams he will sign with after opting out of his contract [...]
Fair enough, Jason, thanks for responding. Good point on the Cubs and the possible MLB investigation that would take place.
Back on the Hudson thing, huh? That would be quite a coup … though after seeing the pitching staff fall to pieces, not sure they can afford to give up those arms. But you have to give up something to get something!
Do the Mets think Castillo is really a bad influence on Reyes, or are they just scared of his knees?
Hudson’s defense would help the staff, though. He’s pretty good. Humber is still a year away from helping and Heilman isn’t special.
I think some combo including Humber and or Heilman might do it. The Mets need to win now, that window is closing with Glavine possibly bolting and Wagner, Delgado and Pedro nearing the end.
Is Castillo a bad influence on Reyes?Reyes is a very talented player who other then Hudson is considered the biggest hotdog in the national league so i would say the two of them together meen alot of fights for the mets.Sooner are later it has to be about the play and not all the handshakes and crap he does in front of the dugout im really surprised he hasnt taken one in the head yet.Bob Gibson Don Drysdale ,and Nolan ryan would have made this guy play the game without all the crap he does are he would have got drilled everytime and dont get me wrong he is a great player but enough is enough.
I didn’t think Castillo could be a bad influence, but it was stated by Mets’ radio guy Ed Coleman that he tends to sulk and management doesn’t want that kind of attitude around Reyes. Personally, I thought Castillo would be a GOOD influence, because he plays hard and humbly. And as you say, the Mets don’t need another hot dog.
It’s an interesting rumor, and it might well be true. Isn’t it also possible that it’s just a tactic in the negotiations? I mean, this is Boras’ specialty, getting the most for his guys. By leaking a rumor to suggest A-Rod doesn’t want to return to NY, it’s all about putting pressure on the Yankees who, after all, have the most to spend and the most to lose.
It’s also possible that this is a purposeful info leak to get people to stop thinking about the Cubs’ ownership rumor.
But if Alex struggles in October again, he’ll opt out and that removes the Yankees from the equation.
I think A-Rod opts out no matter what.
If he struggles, and/or the Yanks aren’t World Champions, he’s the bad guy (again). Why return for another year of boo-birds and stress?
If he does well, and the Yanks do become champs, then he’s proven that he can “make it there (NY)” and put the post-season criticism to rest. Mission accomplished.
But his best chance to get the huge money is with the Yankees, so if he plays well and wants to stay, Boras is better off negotiating with the Yankees pre-deadline to get an extension on the 3/100 he’s still owed.
Stretching my memory back a ways so I may misremember some details, but didn’t A-Rod originally not want the M’s to draft him so that the Dodgers would take him with the second pick? Didn’t he later file some sort of grievance that the M’s had lied to him to convince him to sign if they did draft him?
Talk of A-Rod/Dodgers stirred that up in my head. Makes me wonder if he still harbors some desire to be a Dodger.
That was all based on Boras’ desire to get an LA signing bonus for his client.
So if Alex has some sort of specific affinity for LA or the Dodgers, it’s new.
That makes sense. I seem to recall there was some ‘I’ve always wanted to be a Dodger’ stuff in those articles, but no doubt that was just spin.
I doubt the Yanks will pony up $35M per year to pay A-Rod, and I doubt A-Rod wants to return. If they give A-Rod the $30M+ he’s looking for, they’ll have to go one better for Jeter, whose contract runs out after 2010.
Boras is not one to settle for an extension with free agency possible. He’s looking for, and will get, the biggest payday in MLB history (again).
Yeah, I don’t buy that “go one better” stuff with Jeter. AROD is already making $6 million per year on average more than Jeter and nobody is talking about a “one better” extension.
That’s just not going to be an issue. Cashman has already told Boras they’d be willing to talk extension and that’s even after Boras has made it clear that he’s looking for at least $30 mil. So either they are willing to one-up that deal for Jeter without blinking an eye, or they just don’t care.
That’s incongruent with what we’ve heard on the East Coast. From what we hear, Cashman is not willing to go to $30M, and Boras is looking for $35M+.
There wasn’t any “one up” talk re: Jeter because a) he had already signed a huge deal when A-Rod arrived and b)Texas is paying half of the A-Rod contract.
My point is that when Jeter’s deal is up, his starting price will be whatever A-Rod’s salary is, and the Yanks know it.
And if they weren’t ok with that, they sure wouldn’t be willing to extend Alex.
And they are. There isn’t any doubt about that. How far they will go in total dollars and perhaps to an extent the annual salary is up for debate. But they certainly haven’t balked at keeping Rodriguez, despite knowing Boras will not settle for less than 30 per.
Oh, and once the Yankees realize that Jeter is one of the most overpaid players in the game, they might start catching up with the rest of the good organizations in baseball and wouldn’t have to spend 200 million a year on payroll to win 90-95 games.
He’s the worst defensive starting shortstop in the AL and the only regular in baseball that’s worse is Hanley Ramirez.
As a fan of other teams, we should pray that the Yankees do exactly what you’re saying, Metstoday. Paying 70 mil per year for two players is insanely idiotic and certainly doesn’t help the Yankees win titles.
I talked to a scout last week who said he spent the final four weeks in New York watching both the Mets and Yankees. And one thing he came away saying is…
“I’d trade 10 Jeters for one Reyes.”
–Oh, and once the Yankees realize that Jeter is one of the most overpaid players in the game, they might start catching up with the rest of the good organizations in baseball and wouldn’t have to spend 200 million a year on payroll to win 90-95 games.
He’s the worst defensive starting shortstop in the AL and the only regular in baseball that’s worse is Hanley Ramirez.
As a fan of other teams, we should pray that the Yankees do exactly what you’re saying, Metstoday. Paying 70 mil per year for two players is insanely idiotic and certainly doesn’t help the Yankees win titles.—
Agreed on all those counts. It still amazes me that Yankees fans are so blinded by their love for Jeter — a guy who never once considered moving to make room for perhaps the greatest shortstop in MLB history.
I remember when Craig Biggio returned from a hunting trip to find out that Jeff Kent was signed, and that the Astros were going to talk to Biggio about playing CF. Without a second of pause, Biggio’s response was, “cool”.
But Jeter is the “great team player and Yankee captain”.
IMHO, he’s turning into Joe D.
In any case, I’ll be very surprised if A-Rod stays with the Yanks. I’m guessing Boston will bowl him over or he’ll head to LA, as your sources suggest.
As one who doesn’t despise him, I’d actually like to see Alex go to Boston where they’ll contend for years. Not that the Yankees won’t, but I’m not sure LA will.
Do you think Jeter would have bitched much about moving if the club came to him and told him they wanted him to move to second or third?
For all the things overrated about Jeter, is his team philosophy one of them?
Jeter has already, in one game, cost the Yanks at least a run or two defensively. He should be playing left field.
I think the fact that Jeter never offered to move speaks volumes. When writers asked if he would consider moving, his answer was always something to the effect of, “I’m the shortstop here.”
Of course, when A-Rod arrived in NY, it was Jeter’s team, and he could get away with that attitude. Now? Not so sure. The fact he didn’t move, plus the fact he has never publicly supported Rodriguez — while A-Rod was destroyed by the press and booed unmercifully by the fans — may have worn on his teammates.
Yeah, I’d say his “team-first” thing is overrated.
Good points, mets.
Who’s the leader in Flushing? Delgado?
Jose Reyes absolutely killed the Mets the last two months of the season… You can chalk him up as reason #1 the Mets folded like they did… he couldnt hit, lacked focus, and didnt play hard on numerous occasions during the stretch run…
Of course he’s better than Jeter, but i find it amusing that your source watched the final weeks of the season and had such glowing remarks for Reyes.. when in fact Reyes was pretty bad during that period
Frighteningly enough, yes the Mets leader — if you want to call it that — is Delgado. And Alou. One is physically invisible, the other emotionally. LoDuca is the “public” leader but I don’t think he’s nearly the clubhouse leader that fans would like to think.
It was mainly defensive, blowgun, and based on pure ability and tools. He’s a scout, remember?
Reyes the last month looked like a guy in a hurry to get home! 10 Jeters for 1 Reyes someone is on the pipe.Yes Jeter has gotten plder and isnt the same player but he is still the guts of this club he gets the hits in the playoffs at the right time. Arod is the best player in the game but until he does something in the playoffs he will allways be Jeters Bitch.What has Reyes done in the playoffs?Other then cool handshakes and schukin and jiving he hasnt done crap at money time just like AFROD!You play in NYC you better produce at money time are you are toast period.Do you remember Orosco,Nelson,Rivera,and Oneil they will allways be heros and studs in NYC because the performed in playoff time.Yes thet is Nellie they love him in the apple!
If you are evaluating Reyes and Jeter, what Jeter, whose 33, did up until now means jack shit. Absolutely nothing at all.
What’s he going to do from here on out versus what you think Reyes is going to do from here on out is what you should be thinking.
And the scout was talking about that, not what Jeter has done over his 10-year career versus Reyes’ three years.
And specifically defensively, where Jeter is so far below average it’s not even funny.
Jason, is there a .01% chance that A-Rod ends up in Seattle, you know, with Bavasi trying to save his job and hell freezing over because of global warming. I’d move Betancourt to 2nd to create the best defensive infield in the majors, no matter who is at 1st.
no.
I’d think the possibilities for AROD would increase if he were willing to enter the Ernie Banks phase of his career, or if a team had a good thirdbaseman who was willing to move across the diamond.
Then, you could consider the Mets with Wright or AROD replacing Delgardo.
Other possibilities, a thirdbaseman willing to move to the outfield to make way for baseball’s next home run king (on that front, would the Giants want into that sweepstakes?).
Also, I wonder to what extend a team who loses out on AROD would be interested in Adrian Beltre.
Along those line, Jason, how are the Giants feeling about the Barry Zito contract they’re now saddled with, and would a deal with its core parts being Sexson to SF and Zito to Seattle be of interest to either side?
Jason, love your Pitchers and Catchers Report countdown clock. Real cute.
What kind of pitching coach would Norm Charlton make Jason? Would he be considered for that spot?
Jason, a lot of scuttlebutt in Detroit that they want Alex for 3 years 100M$. I know that’s short on years, but supposedly the owner has said that he wants to sign the biggest deal ever, biggest name ever for Detroit and that putting Guillen at First next years so ARod can play Short is part of that reasoning.
Geez, an owner willing to show he’s stupid enough to overpay, simply to say he did. He really should have learned from Hicks. There’s no glory in being know as the idiot owner who paid more than he had to.
There’s no way Illitch spends 5/150, and that’s what it would take for Alex to go to Detroit, I would imagine. They’d have to go beyond what other clubs like Boston and LA offer him.
3/100 is what he already has in New York. If that’s all it was going to take, he’s seriously consider staying there, despite the boos and pressure.
Re: Norm Charlton
Let’s just hope Norm isn’t reading this right now, because I think he’d be terrible. For several reasons, most of which I’ll never express here at PI.
From what I have gathered from friends in the game is McLaren could look to Larry Rothschild to replace Chaves.
ARod isn’t making 33M$ per year right now, that’s what 3/100 is. But its also a tiny raise of only 5M$ per year. Considering that Boras has been say 35M$ per and I’m betting that it takes 5 years for ARod to have opted out for a reason, one would look at 5/165
Good GOD!
Alex has 3 years and 91m left, plus the incentives/bonuses that were rewritten to be paid by TEXAS between 08-10 instead of by 2005, he’s due to average 32.3 million per year from next year thru the end of the contract.
If he was going to accept a 3/100 contract, basically what he already has, he wouldn’t be so adamant about the idea of opting out. It wouldn’t make sense to do so because of how he feels about playing in New York, he;d be biting the hand.
I’m not sure anyone goes to 35 mil. 5/150 should get it done if teams are willing to be somewhat patient and stop falling for Boras’ tactics.
There will only be a few suitors and the Giants and Tigers wont be among them, so any rumor leaked about them is Boras using them against the other 3-4 teams that are truly in it.
I’m guessing in the months following this an outside possibility will rear it’s ugly head.
The Cardinals. Eckstein’s contract is up, the Cards have no shortstop prospects to speak of, and Pujols / A-Rod would be a lethal combination.
It makes sense.
Except that the reason Jocketty is out as GM there is because he kocked heads with the ownership about spending money.
There’s no chance they roll out 5+ years and 30+ per year for AROD. NONE.
Agreed, Jason. The Cards won’t operate anything like they did in the past. Ownership is big on how things look on papers…..not running a strategy based on “gut feeling” which is really what it would take to bring Alex to any team. Financially, he doesn’t make sense.
And if you are Alex, why in the world would you go to St. Louis right now?
He’s 33 in July and wants to win a World Series. STL is nowhere near. Not much pitching, farm system sucks, aren’t going to spend money… ugh.
Jason, on another subject, if McLaren brings Sam Perlazzo back to Seattle as either base coach or bench coach, what do you think the likelihood would be of Leo Mazzone becoming Seattle’s new pitching coach?
Mazzone is under contract in Baltimore.
And I think he’s big on the east coast or the south. Not sure he’d come here anyway.
RE: 21
thatd be cool. The only other place Id like to see AROD would be Boston or LAD. It killed me when he was traded to NY. I HATE THE YANKEES, but AROD is my favorite player. So if he is not coming back here(which he won’t, but man thatd be awesome) Itd be nice to see him get a ring with the dodgers or the red sox.
Hey Jason,
What do you think of the Mariners potentially signing Schilling? He seems game to pitch pretty much anywhere, and would be a good #2 behind Felix. His ratios are still good and Safeco would ease his decline. Maybe something like 2 years, $20-30 million would do it?
Yes, Jason, I did realize he’s still under contract in Baltimore. Apparantly, until the end of October, anyway. But, the whole reason he left for Baltimore was to be with his good buddy Perlazzo on his first managing gig.
I suppose it’s a matter of whether Trombley wants to keep him on “his” staff, or he wants to make a change. Trombley’s situation is similar to McLaren’s.
But, as you say, maybe Leo’s not interested in moving west, anyway. Unless Perlazzo and McLaren could talk him into it. Working with Felix and Morrow could be an incentive.
It might be something to keep an eye on, at least.
Brett, Schill won’t sign about the money, he’ll get the money, but it won’t be about it. He will want to sign somewhere where he is quite nearly worshipped. Boston, New York, Philly, Arizona. Sure that would be him recycled, but it is also in his whole attitude.
Though looking at his data at fangraphs, he looks like he has time left as a TOR, though not an Ace.
Completely out of left field but what do you think the chances of the Mariners looking at Freddy Garcia this offseason? Will he be back from surgery by next spring?
I’ve heard he was unhappy about how he was treated by Seattle..
Garcia may not be 100% until June.
Re: Mazzone
Yeah, Mazzone and Perlozzo are buddies, but furthermore. Mazzone is a southern/east coast guy.
At this stage in his career, I’d doubt he’d want to come out west to be with his buddy the bench coach.
And I’m not sure Perlozzo is getting that gig anyway.