If Alex Rodriguez is serious about returning to the Yankees – and it sure sounds that way – the Best Player On The Planet could be back in The Bronx shortly, stay for a decade and become the all-time home run leader in pinstripes.
In fact, there was a buzz around baseball last night that a deal had been reached, but Yankees officials refused to comment and Rodriguez did not immediately return messages.
Rodriguez made the short trip from Orlando to Tampa yesterday and met with the Steinbrenner family and Yankees officials at Legends Field where, according to Hank Steinbrenner, the soon-to-be-named AL MVP informed the club he wants No. 13 back.
“Alex, at this point, wants to be a Yankee and is willing to make sacrifices,” Steinbrenner said. “Apparently he has had a change of heart so we will see. He reached out to us through a third party and it appears he wants to be a Yankee.”
Asked at what pace the process would move, Steinbrenner said, “I don’t think it will be slow moving, one way or another.”
George Steinbrenner was at Legends Field yesterday but it wasn’t clear if he talked to Rodriguez.
With one AL team hearing – and wondering why – the Yankees are willing to give Rodriguez a 10-year deal for $275 million, the process could sail. Knowing Rodriguez’s ego, it’s hard to believe he reached out to the Yankees with a change of heart only to stiff them shortly after opting out of the final three years of a deal during the deciding Game 4 of the World Series on Oct. 28.
Before Rodriguez opted out the Yankees were interested in offering him a five-year extension (beyond the three years of the existing deal) for $140 million ($28 million per). The Yankees were adamant that if Rodriguez opted out they wouldn’t chase him into free agency. However, the new deal could be front-loaded so the Yankees get the $21 million discount they would have received from the Rangers had Rodriguez not opted out.
Rodriguez has to understand he isn’t likely to bag 10 years and $275 million from another team. It’s a far cry from the 12 years and $360 million agent Scott Boras was looking for last month. However, it tops the 10-year, $252 million package Rodriguez worked under the past seven years. This past season (.314 average, 54 home runs, 156 RBIs) was the best ever for the 32-year-old.
Yesterday on his Web site, Rodriguez posted a statement explaining his desire to return to The Bronx.
“After spending time with (wife) Cynthia and my family over these last few weeks, it became clear to me that I needed to make an attempt to engage the Yankees regarding my future with the organization. . . . We know there are other opportunities for us, but Cynthia and I have a foundation with the club that has brought us comfort, stability and happiness,” the statement read. “As a result, I reached out to the Yankees through mutual friends and conveyed that message. I also understand that I had to respond to certain Yankees concerns, and I was receptive and understanding of that situation.”
It’s believed Mitch Modell of Yankees sponsor Modell Sporting Goods was the third party. Rodriguez and Modell were at an Orlando charity event Tuesday night with Johnny Damon, a friend of Modell’s.
However, despite Rodriguez reaching out to the Yankees without Boras, Rodriguez hasn’t divorced himself from the agent, who moves slowly. And despite a published report yesterday that the Yankees don’t want to negotiate with Boras, a team official said that wasn’t true.
“It’s against the rules,” the official said of a team telling a player his agent can’t be part of the process.
Hank Steinbrenner said he didn’t care who Rodriguez uses as an agent.
“What happens between Boras and Alex is between them,” Steinbrenner said. “No matter who is in the room, we will go to a certain level. It’s clear to us that Alex wants to stay a Yankee.”
State of the reunion
Alex Rodriguez posted this statement on his Web site yesterday describing his interest in returning to the Yankees:
“After spending time with Cynthia and my family over these last few weeks, it became clear to me that I needed to make an attempt to engage the Yankees regarding my future with the organization.
Prior to entering into serious negotiations with other clubs, I wanted the opportunity to share my thoughts directly with Yankees’ ownership. We know there are other opportunities for us, but Cynthia and I have a foundation with the club that has brought us comfort, stability and happiness.
As a result, I reached out to the Yankees through mutual friends and conveyed that message. I also understand that I had to respond to certain Yankees concerns, and I was receptive and understanding of that situation.
Cynthia and I have since spoken directly with the Steinbrenner family. During these healthy discussions, both sides were able to share honest feelings and hopes with one another, and we expect to continue this dialogue with the Yankees over the next few days.”