During the All-Star game, soon-to-be home run champ Barry Bonds anointed star 3rd Baseman Alex Rodriguez as the future “sultan of swat.” The Yankees are ready to do whatever it takes to make sure he does it in pinstripes.
The Yankees’ general rule is not to discuss contracts during the season because they need their players to concentrate on winning games. However, with the season not going as planned and All-Star Rodriguez having a historic year, they appear ready to bend that rule, according to a published report.
The Yankees want to begin trying to extend A-Rod’s current contract now, which has 2 more years remaining, ESPN.com reports. The main issue is the player option Rodriguez holds, which could allow him to void the remainder of his contract after this season and become a free agent.
According to the report, a verbal agreement from Rodriguez that he not exercise that option would likely be the key to a deal getting done, with any extention simply being added at the end of this current contract. Eighty-one million dollars of Rodriguez’ current deal is being paid by the Texas Rangers as part of the trade that brought him to the Yankees.
Rodriguez is having a career year, leading the MLB in home runs (30) and RBIs (87), and near the top of the league in batting average (.317) and runs scored (79).
Rodriguez’ current value is at an all-time high, with recent reports raising a possibility of a new contract worth $31M a year. His current record deal is worth about $25M annually.