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Does anyone even care if A-Rod opts out of his contract at this point? If A-Rod opts out, I will have only one regret: that he denied the Yankees the opportunity to get at least three good young players from the Dodgers, who were desperate to trade for him. Since he wouldn't waive his no-trade, Cashman couldn't pull off a deal that would have set the Yankees up with (most likely) A-Rod's replacement at third, a (again, most likely) good starter arm and a good reliever arm.

I think A-Rod was foolish not to accept a trade to L.A. -- another big city, a chance to say "I didn't want to leave; the Yankees kicked me out," and he would have been going to a team that right now spends a lot of money (look at the vomit-inducing contract they gave to Pierre).

The only problem with A-Rod leaving is that there's no one to replace his bat. The Yankees will have to trade one or two of their good arms in the minors for a big right-handed bat.

Or, they could just move Jeter to 3B and play a super-slick glove at SS. (Like Alberto Gonzalez.)

There's enough offense on the Yankees where they can afford to lose one of the big bats next year.

First, A-rod will not waive his NTC, he will opt out after the end of this season. If he does waive his NTC, fine I will eat crow but something tells me good or bad he sticking it out this season and regardless of the outcome, he is waving goodbye at the end of '07. Scott Boras is already setting the table for A-rod's next deal.

Second, if you think Arod will help the Yankees out by allowing them to trade him, I think your sadly mistaken. He has enough at this point in his career. Money is no object, so he can easily opt of this contract and get another $150M+ contract. Why would he want to help the Yankees out by possibly make them a better team at his expense when he can just flip them the bird and leave them with absolutely nothing.
Also, IMO a trade to me admits failure on his part kinda like "I couldn't cut in NY so I asked/agreed for a trade". On the other hand if he opts out, he could say he wanted to return to SS (if that happens)or that he simply wanted to test the FA market.

As I see it, he's only said one thing since the opening camp: "Did he really say that?" A-Rod said of Wright. "Wow, tell him I'm flattered." And in that regard, what was he supposed to say? Seems like a normal reaction to me.

The Post-Dispatch article could have taken quotes from any point in time.

Finally, what he did say was "It's a privilege to play with this uniform on every day."

Remember, too, that all of these are media fabrications.

~~~As I see it, he's only said one thing since the opening camp: "Did he really say that?" A-Rod said of Wright. "Wow, tell him I'm flattered." And in that regard, what was he supposed to say? Seems like a normal reaction to me.~~~

How about "I'm focused on playing for the Yankees and really cannot comment about me potentially playing for some team other than the Yankees"?

*Yawn* More pointless stories about A-Rod and more needless hammering of the guy.

Sporting Brews catches what was apparent to me, but not to Steve apparently, in that "New York" quote...

"It's a privilege to play with this uniform on every day."

Was he wearing blue and orange at the time? No. The Raisman/Cubs thing was a hachet job of the first order... he's asked a question about his early career, answers and all the sudden he's looking for a home on the Southside? C'mon now.

If he opts out, I wouldn't blame him and a number of fans will be pleased but the bottom line is this: The Yankees would be worse for it.

For all his flaws, A-Rod's the best third baseman in the AL, and in the top three in the majors right now.

Someone please point to me where you replace his production from and maybe I get on board, but realistically, he's as good as it gets and being completely shat on for no good reason.

Is there nothing else Yankee related to write about?

SteveB - nothing very interesting. Andy Phillips' mother. Todd Pratt's hopes for a job. A thrown bat just missing Torre. Carl Pavano. And, A-Rod.

Today, I went with the stories on A-Rod and Pavano.

Or, they could just move Jeter to 3B and play a super-slick glove at SS.
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They had chances to move Jeter to CF & to 3b, and they didn't do it, I don't think it's going to happen now.

Jeter isn't moving from SS until he's good and ready to.

~~~Someone please point to me where you replace his production from and maybe I get on board, but realistically, he's as good as it gets and being completely shat on for no good reason.~~~

I have to wonder if the bat of A-Rod at 3rd, the bat of Jeter at SS, and the bad gloves that they both carry is more productive than the bat of Jeter at 3B, the bat of Alberto Gonzalez at SS, and the gloves that they could carry at those positions.

Say A-Rod has 30 RCAA at 3rd and allows 5 runs a year with his glove. Ditto Jeter. That's 50 RCAA net.

Maybe Jeter is better at 3rd with the leather? So, he doesn't allow 5 back there. That gives him a net of 30 RCAA.

Maybe Alberto can hit to the tune of 10 RCAA and he saves 10 runs with his glove/range? That's a net of 20 RCAA. Add that to Jeter at 3B.

It's a difference between the 50 RCAA net now (with Jeter and A-Rod) and the 50 RCAA that the Derek/Alberto combo could bring. A wash? Maybe, just maybe......

BPIB, welcome to the past tense. When I referred to A-Rod not waiving his no-trade to go to the Dodgers, I was talking about this past off-season.

Baileywalk, I wasn't directly referring to your post. But thanks for the acknowledgement!

Steve I think you are reading too much in to A-Rod's statments.

I just wish that he would stop issuing so many statements. {wink}

Gee, so he has to stop talking to the beat reporters now?
"When told of Wright's comments by Record beat writer Pete Caldera, Rodriguez seemed stunned."

He's not "issuing statements", he's asked a question by a reporter and responds.

When you're "A-Rod," whenever you're answering a question, you're making a statement, no?

No.
Again, I think you are over-analyzing A-Rod.

Steve, at times I can see your "Hang up and drive" point (although personally I like how he's handling things this year).

But, you also don't have to stop and stare at every dead cat on the side of the road either.

OK, you guys win, I'm done.