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July 10, 2007
Will Ichiro Deal Impact A-Rod?
Reports out now are saying that Ichiro is about to ink a 5-year extension believed to be worth between $90 million and $100 million.
So, if Ichiro is a $20 million man, what does that make A-Rod on the market this winter - if Alex/Boras elects to opt out? Maybe $30 million a year for Alex is the magic number?
Posted by Steve Lombardi at July 10, 2007 10:18 PM
Comments
If this report is correct, Boras is dancing in the street right now. I know some will disagree, but I think A-Rod is one of those guys worth overpaying on, especially since the deal will be subsidized if the Yanks can re-sign him before he opts out. (Of course, Cashman likes to back himself into a corner like he's done with Posada and Mo, who can now play the market and drive up their price when he could've brought them back for cheaper by resigning them at the start of the season.)
Also, you can eliminate Seattle as a dark-horse candidate for A-Rod now.
Posted by: JeremyM ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.waswatching.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at July 10, 2007 11:28 PM
If Ichiro is worth 20 million a year, then A-Rod's price just went up. Without him, the Yankees have no power whatsoever. They need to keep him around even if it costs them upwards of 30 million per year.
Did anyone see that Barry Bonds said that if A-Rod is going to break the home run record, he'll be in attendance? Good to see.
Posted by: Mark Opper at July 11, 2007 12:27 AM
As soon as I saw that nine figure number for Ichiro, I immediately thought that A-Rod's number went up. Is he worth it? Probably yes in today's baseball economic landscape. He's got the numbers to back up just how valuable he is, plus you cannot discount the fannies he'll put in the seats as he marches toward 800 (returning the all-time HR championship back to pinstripes, where it belongs -- with all due respect to Hank Aaron); as well as all the hoopla and merchandising sales such a campaign would bring in.
Posted by: rbj at July 11, 2007 08:07 AM
I feel like there is no doubt that Alex will be back with the Yankees next year, whatever the price. The Yankees know how valuable he is to the team, off and on the field, and he knows that NY is where he will get the most attention. Just listen to and read the quotes from this week at the All-star game. Everything he says seems to point to him coming back to the Yankees next year. He just won't come out and say it because it would kill his bargaining power....and we would all like to have the bargaining power in our jobs that he has.
NY is the only stage big enough for him.
Posted by: UNCYankee at July 11, 2007 09:04 AM
Just listen to and read the quotes from this week at the All-star game. Everything he says seems to point to him coming back to the Yankees next year.
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He did the same thing while he was with the M's. I wouldn't put too much stock in it.
As for hurting his bargaining power, well, who saw Texas bidding $252M back in 2000?
Posted by: Raf at July 11, 2007 10:11 AM