Rumor:A-Rod to play for and own part of the Cubs?

[SirFozzie]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3033203

Um.. isn't this tampering before season's end?

Alex Rodriguez might redefine the term "franchise player."

New York Magazine reported on Sunday that the Yankees third baseman could end up with the Chicago Cubs next season with a blockbuster contract that includes an ownership stake in the team.

Although he's had his ups and downs in New York in his four years there, A-Rod has carried the Yankees this season and has basically wrapped up the American League MVP award. Rodriguez is batting .312 and leads the league with 52 home runs, 146 RBIs and 138 runs scored. New York is only 1½ games behind the Boston Red Sox in the AL East and leads the wild-card race by 5½ games.

A-Rod's huge numbers couldn't have come at a better time. Ten days after the World Series ends, A-Rod can opt out of the $252 million contract he signed with the Texas Rangers six years ago.

According to the magazine, Rodriguez's agent, Scott Boras, has already identified the leading candidate to buy the Cubs and has begun negotiations on a mega-deal. The publication's sources say that the deal could reach $30 million per year over 10 years, with part of the contract deferred toward an eventual stake in the franchise.

The Red Sox have also been mentioned as a possible destination for A-Rod. The team came close to trading for him before he ended up in New York.

The Yankees, who are all but assured of making the playoffs for the 13th straight season, likely won't watch A-Rod walk without attempting to sign him to an extension. But they have to act rather quickly. The Rangers are paying $29 million of Rodriguez's remaining deal. The moment he opts for free agency, the Yankees lose that money. They keep it if they can sign A-Rod to an extension.

So in the midst of a playoff run, the Yankees must decide what to do with the guy that got them there.

[JeeberD]

My guess is that it wouldn't be tampering since the agent is seeking out folks to talk to. If the future Cubs owner went and tried to contact ARod's people, then it would be tampering.

Or maybe not. *shrug*

[Young Drachma]

Everyone knows that A-Rod wants to play for Lou Pinella. And to win a World Series for a team that hasn't won one in ages would be the crowing achievement to his career. Not to mention Wrigley is a bandbox.

No way he stays in New York, though.

[DaddyTorgo]

the key is that the future owner isn't an owner yet. So they can get as nitty-gritty as they want. Shit...they could hammer out a conditional contract i'd guess

[Young Drachma]

Besides, I'm sure his ownership stake won't be anything he can cash in on now, it's just a nice way to up the ante after the guy is coming off the biggest contract in baseball history. Because clearly it's not going to be just about the money, save for the symbolic $30m per year part.

He wants to go to somewhere he can break Barry's record.

[DaddyTorgo]

He wants to go to somewhere he can break Barry's record.

maybe colorado can deal todd helton and some other $$ and use that as a selling point...???

[JeeberD]

The Crawford Boxes should be appealing to him if that's his true goal... :)

[Logan]

maybe colorado can deal todd helton and some other $$ and use that as a selling point...???

I doubt he'd want to go to a team that isn't in a major media center. Plus, if he does it in Colorado, people could say it was Coors-aided. He doesn't need the benefit of playing in a HR park...he just needs the time.

[Young Drachma]

maybe colorado can deal todd helton and some other $$ and use that as a selling point...???

I think this place is too anonymous for him. Plus, I doubt they'd want to pay him anything. I mean, in theory it'd be brilliant. But...I think he wants to be in a city that'll love him for being him and while Denver meets that muster...playing at Coors would dog him the rest of his career with people saying that he only came here because it'd be easier to do.

Plus, they're not going to win a World Series here anytime soon. At least the odds are that the Cubs will spend, spend, spend to at least fall short for the next 10 years.

[Logan]

Beat you again DC, I'm on a roll these past couple days.

[Young Drachma]

It must be the power of our Jerseyness combining for redundancy.

[DaddyTorgo]

it wasn't a serious thought guys...it was more in sarcasm like "hey...he played there he could beat the record in 3 years"

[sterlingice]

Everyone knows that A-Rod wants to play for Lou Pinella. And to win a World Series for a team that hasn't won one in ages would be the crowing achievement to his career. Not to mention Wrigley is a bandbox.

It really does make a lot of sense. Even funnier would be if he wins a World Series for the Cubs but not with the Yankees (tho there's still the issue of "how is he going to pitch as well as play the field"). Oh, and beats Bonds record. Does that make you the most liked player ever if you screw the Yankees and Bonds and win a championship for a franchise known for futility?

SI

[Young Drachma]

I know. But every post counts. ;)

[Logan]

Remove yourself from this thread.

[Swaggs]

I think A-Rod playing in the NL, and in Chicago, will put up ridiculous numbers. IMO, moving from the AL to the NL gives him a much better chance of catching and passing Bonds.

[bulletsponge]

It really does make a lot of sense. Even funnier would be if he wins a World Series for the Cubs but not with the Yankees (tho there's still the issue of "how is he going to pitch as well as play the field"). Oh, and beats Bonds record. Does that make you the most liked player ever if you screw the Yankees and Bonds and win a championship for a franchise known for futility?

SI

telling the Yankees and thier fans to go "F" themselves is enough for me to like the guy

[CamEdwards]

I'd love to see A-Rod in another uniform, even if it's not a Red Sox jersey. I think this would be a great move if they could get it done.

[Neuqua]

I don't see the Yankees letting themselves get outbid for ARod's services. And in the end, I think ARod takes the money, even in New York.

[Young Drachma]

No way he stays in New York. He's putting up these huge numbers right as a way to advertise to any of the naysayers who thought he didn't have it. No way he wants to be a Yankee anymore. Even with the new ballpark and the prospect of it being the place where he can make a huge mark, I just can't see him wanting to deal with the NY media if he doesn't win a few World Series titles while there. And they'll have to strip down and rebuild here sooner than later.

I doubt he wants any part of that.

[DaddyTorgo]

I can't see him wanting to put up with the media ripping him as he chases babe ruth (and yes i'm ignoring bonds)

[Radii]

Pinella has a 3 year deal with Chicago and swears he's retiring after that. I think Chicago would be a great place for A-Rod and I hope to hell the Cubs can get him, but I wonder if the whole "wants to play for Pinella again" thing isn't being significantly overstated given the timing, would he sign a long term deal just to do that when its expected that Lou is gone in 2 seasons?

[Ryan S]

I can't see him wanting to put up with the media ripping him as he chases babe ruth (and yes i'm ignoring bonds)


I can't see the media ripping him as he chases Ruth. I think the media (and many baseball fans) would be delighted to see A-Rod rather than Bonds as the alltime HR leader.

[Neuqua]

I can't see the media ripping him as he chases Ruth. I think the media (and many baseball fans) would be delighted to see A-Rod rather than Bonds as the alltime HR leader.

Ever been to New York?

[Young Drachma]

Pinella has a 3 year deal with Chicago and swears he's retiring after that. I think Chicago would be a great place for A-Rod and I hope to hell the Cubs can get him, but I wonder if the whole "wants to play for Pinella again" thing isn't being significantly overstated given the timing, would he sign a long term deal just to do that when its expected that Lou is gone in 2 seasons?

Probably just tips the scales their way. The $$$ is what'll do it, along with playing in Wrigley, having fans who are so used to losing that nothing you do will be under the same scrutiny as in New York. Yet, it's still a major media market and you'll get exposure like he wants.

[Jas_lov]

So what you guys are saying is that A-Rod is so sick of being trashed by the NY media that he'll go to Chicago of all places and be trashed by their media if he fails? Doesn't make much sense. The Yankees are going to go young in the starting rotation next year-Kennedy, Chamberlain, Hughes, Wang, and possibly Pettitte if he takes his player option. Clemens and Mussina will be gone so there's $30-$40 million savings right there. They won't bring Abreu back for $15 million either and they've still got Texas fitting some of the bill for A-Rod until they can drop the outrageous Giambi, Damon, and Pavano contracts in the next couple years. The Yankees are going to match any offer that anyone else makes and I think A-Rod will stay. At least I hope anyway.

[Radii]

So what you guys are saying is that A-Rod is so sick of being trashed by the NY media that he'll go to Chicago of all places and be trashed by their media if he fails?


This confuses me... A-Rod is putting up all star numbers every year in New York and getting trashed. If he puts up similar numbers at Wrigley he'll be universally loved.

[Jas_lov]

This confuses me... A-Rod is putting up all star numbers every year in New York and getting trashed. If he puts up similar numbers at Wrigley he'll be universally loved.

Chicago is still a big market and expectations would be much higher with him there. And didn't they just give Aramis Ramirez $70 million dollars to play 3B? A-Rod might be too big and bulky to move over to SS now. This season A-Rod hasn't really been getting trashed since he's having a monster year. If he continues that in the playoffs and is a big part of a World Series run, he'll be loved in NY.

[DaddyTorgo]

Chicago is still a big market and expectations would be much higher with him there. And didn't they just give Aramis Ramirez $70 million dollars to play 3B? A-Rod might be too big and bulky to move over to SS now. This season A-Rod hasn't really been getting trashed since he's having a monster year. If he continues that in the playoffs and is a big part of a World Series run, he'll be loved in NY.

that's 2 big IF's.

and the idea that a-rod can't play SS anymore is just something that you NY fans tell yourselves to appease yourselves that your man-crush jeter isn't harming the team

[Jas_lov]

that's 2 big IF's.

and the idea that a-rod can't play SS anymore is just something that you NY fans tell yourselves to appease yourselves that your man-crush jeter isn't harming the team

NO! I know that Jeter is not a good SS anymore. He's absolutely terrible defensively. But it is true that A-Rod is bulkier and probably wouldn't work as well at SS anymore. How is A-Rod playing well in the playoffs a big IF? He's been huge in many clutch spots this year and is having an MVP year. It's a no bigger if than some people in this thread gaining the ability to read minds! Seriously, how do you know whether he likes it there or not? Did you talk to him last week?

[DaddyTorgo]

NO! I know that Jeter is not a good SS anymore. He's absolutely terrible defensively. But it is true that A-Rod is bulkier and probably wouldn't work as well at SS anymore. How is A-Rod playing well in the playoffs a big IF? He's been huge in many clutch spots this year and is having an MVP year. It's a no bigger if than some people in this thread gaining the ability to read minds! Seriously, how do you know whether he likes it there or not? Did you talk to him last week?


because his entire career he hasn't ever performed in the playoffs

[CU Tiger]

I can't see him wanting to put up with the media ripping him as he chases babe ruth (and yes i'm ignoring bonds)


And Aaron too it seems.
Just another case of Daddy keeping tha Black Man down

[DaddyTorgo]

And Aaron too it seems.
Just another case of Daddy keeping tha Black Man down

well no, but I meant it in the sense of "chasing a Yankee legend"

[Celeval]

because his entire career he hasn't ever performed in the playoffs

Actually, it's just been the last two years:

SEA 1997,2000: 18-51, 3 HR, 8 RBI (projected to a 575 AB season: .353 / 33 / 87)
NYY 2004: 16-50, 3 HR, 8 RBI (.320 / 35 / 92)
NYY 2005,2006: 3-29, 0 HR, 0 RBI (.103 / 0 / 0)

In 1997 and 2000 combined (his two playoff seasons with Seattle), he hit for an averarge of .307, and averaged 32 HR and 108 RBI.

That 2004 season he batted .286/36/106.

Until the last two years, his playoff numbers were basically pretty well on with what he did in the regular season.

[DaddyTorgo]

Actually, it's just been the last two years:

SEA 1997,2000: 18-51, 3 HR, 8 RBI (projected to a 575 AB season: .353 / 33 / 87)
NYY 2004: 16-50, 3 HR, 8 RBI (.320 / 35 / 92)
NYY 2005,2006: 3-29, 0 HR, 0 RBI (.103 / 0 / 0)

In 1997 and 2000 combined (his two playoff seasons with Seattle), he hit for an averarge of .307, and averaged 32 HR and 108 RBI.

That 2004 season he batted .286/36/106.

Until the last two years, his playoff numbers were basically pretty well on with what he did in the regular season.

fair enough on the numbers. Although some will counter with the "well his team never made it anywhere," but i'm not going to go there because I don't so much believe in that argument (although in A-Rod's case b/c of his huge salary affecting team payroll flexability there may be more to it then there is with some other cheaper players)

[stevew]

I don't see the Yankees letting themselves get outbid for ARod's services. And in the end, I think ARod takes the money, even in New York.

Well, they have a 30million dollar advantage until he opts out. If that happens, then there is basically no reason for the Yanks to get into a severe bidding war with other teams, since in their eyes the deal will cost 30m more than it should have. I'm sure they will present him with a fair offer, which will be ignored by boras.

I'd estimate roughly a 5% chance of him playing for the Yankees next year. Unless he just absolutely doesn't want to leave, and agrees to about a 5-7 year extension for around 30m per year.

[dervack]

The only problem I have with this, is that I think in either 2009 or 2010, the Cubs will be paying almost 90 million to like 6 players or something like that. As a Cubs fan, I would be all for A-Rod in Chicago. As a realist, I don't see it happening.

[CU Tiger]

I am not a Cubs fan, but a world where Cuban buys the Cubs, signs A-rod and out spends Steinbrenner only to lose to Florida and a 7 million dollar payroll (once every 4 years or so) in the NLCS makes me smile