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This certainly is a soap opera. And even if it ends up with Alex back in pinstripes, I don't know that his relationship with the fans can be repaired. But who cares, they didn't like him to begin with anyway.

Pete Abe has a theory that Alex is doing this just to get the appearance that the Yankees are back in the bidding – so that it creates some market tension for other teams interested.

I'm not sure that's true. But, if it turns out to be true, it's going to make him look even worse than now when this is over (using the Yankees to get the money elsewhere).

Why would Alex return to the Yankees with his tail between his legs and take a below-market contract? And why would the Yankees suddenly be unable to deal with Boras? Everyone knows his act. Has he been worse in this situation than he has been before?

Honestly, the thing that made the most sense was for Alex to stay with the Yankees, who were willing to give him (most likely) more than anyone else. So either Boras overplayed his hand or Alex didn't want to remain with the team. In either case, I think it's doubtful Alex ever plays for the Yankees again.

At some point in time, you would think A-Rod has to figure out that his legacy can only be cemented by winning a World Series in New York. What I've never understood in all of this is the potential for Rodriguez to be considered the best player to ever play the game. He's never been loved in NY and that's just the way it is, but at this point, even if he goes to the Dodgers and Angels and wins a World Series, the critics will all say:

"Yeah he won, but he was a failure in NY."

Is that fair? Probably not, but it's exactly the legacy he's leaving behind. Plus, A-Rod has to know that playing in the Bronx is the VERY BIGGEST stage he can possibly play on and going to the Angels or Dodgers or Cubs and even Boston is a step down.

I know it's a business and about money, but doesn't Rodriguez at least have to think about his place in history? Supposedly he's a big time student of the game and right now I don't see how he fits in that history in a positive light outside of putting up great stats.

All A-Rod really has to look at is Barry Bonds as a contemporary. Bonds sold his soul the devil because of steroids and perforance enhancing drugs. At this point, A-Rod is selling his soul to the devil for cash. And the crazy part is that the Yankees were more than willing to pay him.

Bonds is never going to be looked on in the future as a great player. He'll be a great player with an asterick. The same for A-Rod. He'll be looked at as a great player, but one that only cared about the money and has no championships to speak of. Basically a mercenary.

I just don't get the thought process when thinking about your place in the history of baseball.

~Rodriguez at least have to think about his place in history?~

I used that rationale to figure he wouldn't ever opt out. I don't know if anyone can really understand whats going on between his ears. He opted out of what would be him finishing his career with the Yankees, meaning HOF, shots at the postseason and WS, retired number, all the milestone hits and homeruns as a Yankee, comparison to the likes of Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio, Mantle, etc..

Another thought: If this all does end up going down, and Alex ends up coming back, for more years but at less money, I don’t ever want to hear from him that he “took a pay cut to stay in New York because he always wanted to be a Yankee.” If he ends up with a pay cut, it will be the result of his stupidity of opting out and misplaying the market/demand for him – and it will have nothing to do with his wanting to play for the Yankees.

Excellent points, Baseball Savant. That stuff about legacy is exactly what I think. The whole matter of motivations just seems perplexing to me.

This may be a case in which the interest of the client and the agent diverged. ARod certainly cares about his legacy (unless he's inhuman). Boras, on the other hand cares about his legacy. And, for Boras, that probably means scoring the first $300 million contract.

If he ends up with a pay cut, it will be the result of his stupidity of opting out and misplaying the market/demand for him – and it will have nothing to do with his wanting to play for the Yankees.
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Good point, Steve. To tell you the truth, I hope that he does come back. Trading the star young pitchers for Miguel Cabrera seemed really depressing. And the other options at 3B all had significant problems.

Back with the Yanks, on their terms, with Boras swallowing a huge chunk of humble pie... Priceless. Big Stein will welcome him back if A-Rod says the right things. Prodigal son...paternal owner, blah, blah, blah….George is a softy for the mea culpa.

A-Rod still gets paid, although 20-30MM less than the original deal (which, over 8-10 years he'll 1) never miss, and 2) make up in endorsements. We get a solid, solid performer back for the long term. Boras gets a black eye. Who could ask for anything more?

As for the fans....they seemed to get along with him pretty well this year. Keep cranking 50 dingers a year and driving in 150 runs and all will be well.

All told, I genuinely want to see what Girardi can do with "Torre's Team".

Even better if he throws Boras under the bus with statements like "I got bad advice"...."I never wanted to leave the Yankees"... "I let it spin out of control and had to grab at a chance to make it right"...

Here's what I'm wondering, if A-Rod negotiates his own deal, does that save the comission he would have payed Boras? In this sense does he actually come out with more money in pocket (I think off the cuff Boras gets a 10% cut).

"Plus, A-Rod has to know that playing in the Bronx is the VERY BIGGEST stage he can possibly play on and going to the Angels or Dodgers or Cubs and even Boston is a step down."

The problem with your sense of history is that it's clouded by your yankee goggles. Example: If arod brings a WS win to the cubs he would be huge and his place in history much greater than if he helped win the yankees number 27.

And an asterisk because he leaves NY? Maybe among yankee fans. But if he wins a championship somewhere, anywhere, it won't be used by anyone else.

Excellent question gaulen01!

As I have said: The Three Ring Circus.

And ten years? Dumb and dumber. Saddled with an aging, fading star, seeking personal records. No thanks.

I still think the only way A-Rod plays for the Yankees next year is if he accepts arbitration. If the big money deal is not offered I could see him and Boras trying again next year.

NEW YORK (AP) -- Boston's sweep of the Colorado Rockies drew better ratings than last season's World Series but fell short of previous years.

The four games averaged a 10.6 rating, the second-lowest ever, ahead of only the 10.1 in 2006 for the St. Louis Cardinals' five-game win over the Detroit Tigers.

John Sterling just reported on WFAN is that A-Rod is coming back to the Yankees. He said he was 100% certain.....

Stay tuned!!

101%. That's his quote.

~~~~~The problem with your sense of history is that it's clouded by your yankee goggles. Example: If arod brings a WS win to the cubs he would be huge and his place in history much greater than if he helped win the yankees number 27.

And an asterisk because he leaves NY? Maybe among yankee fans. But if he wins a championship somewhere, anywhere, it won't be used by anyone else.~~~~~~~~

Yankee goggles or not, the bottom line is that even if A-Rod were to win one in Chicago, he still failed to win one on the biggest stage on the planet. A-Rod knows that no matter what happens, if he leaves NY, he'll be followed for the rest of his life by the chants of "Failed to do it in NYC".

He knows it.