Yankees baseball blog

Another MRI on tap for A-Rod

Back on the field yesterday for the first time since going on the disabled list, Alex Rodriguez felt fine during his workout. But he's not returning to the Yankees until at least Thursday.

A-Rod was optimistic about coming off the DL next Wednesday - the first day it was believed he was eligible. But as it turns out, Thursday is actually the first day Rodriguez is eligible to return in terms of both the rules and his rehabilitation. In terms of the rules, it was thought that A-Rod's 15-day DL stint expired this Tuesday. In reality, it's on Wednesday, so Thursday is his earliest return date. Continue

A-Rod to start light activities

Alex Rodriguez is expected to participate in his first baseball activities in more than a week today. Rodriguez, who went on the disabled list April 30 with a Grade 2 strain of his right quadriceps, will do some light activities. "It's been that week that we talked about," manager Joe Girardi said. "[He could] possibly start to do some more functional stuff where he might take some swings."

It is Rodriguez's first DL stint since July 2000, when he was with the Mariners. He hurt his quad April 20 in Baltimore. After sitting out three games, two of which he missed because of his daughter's birth, he returned to action. Rodriguez reinjured the quad three days later. Continue

A-Rod headed to 15-day disabled list

Alex Rodriguez's hasty pass patterns across a Chicago outfield were enough to convince the Yankees that the defending American League Most Valuable Player was healthy enough to return to their lineup.

Several days and an aggravation later, it appears that A-Rod rushed his right quadriceps too soon. Rodriguez was diagnosed with a Grade 2 strain on Tuesday and will spend at least 15 days on the disabled list, the latest in a sequence of maladies plaguing the Yankees. Continue

A-Rod could DH soon

Alex Rodriguez made it to Chicago yesterday, rejoining his teammates after spending two days in Miami following the birth of his daughter, Ella Alexander. The celebratory cigars were distributed throughout the Yankees' clubhouse. Any celebration of Rodriguez's return to the lineup will have to wait a little bit, though, as his strained right quadriceps kept him out of action last night.

"The leg's good," Rodriguez said. "I got treatment the last several days at the University of Miami. I've not run on it yet, just hit. Felt pretty good ... Hopefully, I'll be ready to go pretty soon."  Continue

Injured A-Rod gets a baby girl

Alex Rodriguez will not play until tomorow at the earliest, but his strained right quadriceps is not the only reason. Rodriguez's wife, Cynthia, gave birth to the couple's second child - a daughter - Monday night, and he will remain in Miami until tomorrow.

Rodriguez strained his right quad Sunday in the sixth inning against the Orioles. He is considered day-to-day. Manager Joe Girardi said Rodriguez told him he is aiming to play Friday. "He'll rejoin us Thursday," Girardi said. "I don't know if he'll be able to play Thursday. We'll make that evaluation Thursday to see where he's at." Continue

A-Rod could wind up on DL

The Yankees are hoping Alex Rodriguez's quick healing powers don't allow his strained right quad problem to linger. However, they aren't guaranteeing the injury suffered Sunday won't sideline the MVP third baseman and possibly land him on the disabled list.

"Alex is a quick healer," GM Brian Cashman said. "It's kind of like (Derek) Jeter's (left quad strain). He could come back quickly or be like Jeter and miss two series (six games). We are trying to avoid the DL. We are taking it day to day." Continue

A-Rod leaves with strained right quad

Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez left Sunday's game against the Baltimore Orioles in the sixth inning with a strained right quad and is considered day-to-day.

Rodriguez, who had struck out and hit a run-scoring double in his first two-at bats, reached on a fielder's choice in the sixth inning after Bobby Abreu hit a leadoff single. While Hideki Matsui was batting, Rodriguez appeared to feel some discomfort in his right leg. Continue

Rodriguez ties Williams, McCovey on HR list

Alex Rodriguez has a lot of milestone home runs in front of him. Last night, he got a little closer to the top, tying two of baseball's all-time greats with a prodigious wallop in the first inning.

His 450-foot blast off Andy Sonnanstine was the 521st of his career, tying him with Ted Williams and Willie McCovey for 15th place on the all-time ledger. "It makes you cringe a little bit," he said after the Yankees' 8-7 win over the Rays. "It definitely humbles you. I'm at a point in my career where you do some things, touching some of these names, it's hard to believe." Continue

A-Rod feels right at home

He was in the middle of everything. Alex Rodriguez seemingly picked up right where he left off at the end of his 2007 MVP season. No, he didn't homer in Tuesday night's season-opening 3-2 win. He got two hits, drove in the first run in the first inning and scored the decisive run in the seventh on a Hideki Matsui fielder's choice.

"A-Rod? He was A-Rod," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "He was pretty locked in when spring training started and he carried it over into tonight." "It was just one game," Rodriguez said when Girardi's remarks were relayed to him. "I don't want to get ahead of myself. It was a great win overall." Continue

Cheer factor

This is Alex Rodriguez's baseball "Cheers." That is the sound he hears when he comes to the plate, where everyone knows his name. They don't scream "Norm!" when he enters, but the norm is an open-arm policy. On Friday night, Rodriguez played his first baseball game in Miami since high school, since starring at Westminster Christian and becoming the first pick of the 1993 draft. Rodriguez needed to leave about 150 passes at Dolphin Stadium, a total Yankees trainer Gene Monahan joked was "a world record."

Playing against the Marlins, Rodriguez appeared a fish in water: a jubilant juggernaut. He hit a laser double and a homer somehow ever harder. He walked in the seventh, was removed to yet another hometown-boy-makes-good ovation and entered the Yankees dugout with these spring numbers: a .452 average, .521 on-base percentage and .857 slugging average. He arguably has been the AL MVP of spring. Continue

Former Yankees staffer: 'No way’ Alex was on juice

By title, Mike Borzello was the Yankees' bullpen catcher. But those around the team understood that for the past four years, he was mostly known as Alex Rodriguez's confidant, counselor and confessor.

"Nobody in the last four years, including his wife because she wasn't on the road, spent more time with Alex than I did,'' Borzello said by phone yesterday. Thus, Borzello had a front-row seat to Rodriguez's life - in the gym, in the clubhouse, at home, in social settings, to and from games in his car. "Then he called me in the morning and we did it all over again." Continue

Jose Canseco's new book links A-Rod to known steroid supplier

No one is safe from Jose Canseco, not even baseball's Most Valuable Player and one of television's most respected reporters.

According to online columnist Joe Lavin, who says he picked up a copy of Canseco's "Vindicated" at a small Cambridge, Mass., bookstore on Monday - a week before its official release - Canseco links three more big-name players to steroid use: Alex Rodriguez, Roger Clemens and Magglio Ordonez. Canseco also throws in 89-year-old "60 Minutes" reporter Mike Wallace as being curious about the benefits of steroids and human growth hormone. Continue

'A' for attendance

Amazing numbers tell the story of Alex Rodriguez Alex Rodriguez So when asked what his goals are for this season, this was his answer - and it may surprise you. It wasn't about home runs, RBIs, runs scored or batting average. It was about answering the bell.

"The only goal that I have every year is that I want to play in every game," Rodriguez said at Legends Field. "And then I go from there. I want to be out there for my teammates every day. That's the thing I take the most pride in, being a team player and being in the lineup, whether you are banged up or not." Continue

What’s in a number?

Alex Rodriguez says he has never come up dirty on a drug test.Yesterday, 24 hours after Rodriguez said he was tested 9-10 times last year, causing a stir and raising the possibility that the reigning AL MVP had failed a urine test for amphetamines, Rodriguez firmly said that didn't happen. Asked if he flunked any type of test that would give MLB a reason to test him more than any other player, Rodriguez said, "No."

As he did Wednesday night, Rodriguez said he was exaggerating to make a point about the MLB drug testing system that Rodriguez says is stronger than many believe it to be. He also wasn't sure how many times he was tested last year (spring training included). There are two mandatory tests; one in spring training and another during the season at an undisclosed date. After that if your number comes up, you get tested. Rodriguez said yesterday he was tested a "few" times. Continue

A-Rod injects controversy into camp

Alex Rodriguez couldn't resist. As he sat down in the dugout for his annual State of A-Rod address, he seemed delighted to offer an unsolicited observation: "A lot of controversy, and I'm not involved in it."

He should have known better. He is A-Rod, after all. So while he has mostly been a mere bystander to the ongoing steroids drama involving Roger Clemens, Andy Pettitte, and whoever else, it takes only the slightest hint of impropriety to set off alarms. Continue

A-Rod: I never did 'roids

In an interview with Katie Couric on "60 Minutes" that aired last night, Alex Rodriguez spoke up about everything from steroids to his poor postseason performances to his opt-out and damaged relationship with agent Scott Boras.

He said he has never used steroids or other performance-enhancing drugs or been tempted to do so. When asked if he ever thought he should try them to keep up with someone else's numbers, he said: "I've never felt overmatched on the baseball field. I've always been in a very strong, dominant position ... I didn't have a problem competing at any level. So, no." In the wake of the Mitchell Report, the three-time American League Most Valuable Player said it could be "a huge black eye" for baseball. But he said he still believes Barry Bonds owns the career home run record, disputing Couric's assertion that Bonds has an asterisk next to his name. Rodriguez said, "He's innocent till proven guilty." Continue

A-Rod: Juice never even tempted me

While famed steroid slugger Jose Canseco thinks the Mitchell Report is "incomplete" without mentioning Alex Rodriguez, A-Rod told "60 Minutes" that there have been plenty of chances to catch him and he's always been clean. And, Rodriguez added, in an interview set to air Sunday, he's never used performance-enhancing drugs nor has he ever been tempted to.

Asked by Katie Couric if he had used steroids, human growth hormone or another performance-enhancing drug, A-Rod said, "No." When Couric asked if he had ever been curious, A-Rod repeated, "No." "I think baseball's done a fine job of implementing some very strict rules," Rodriguez said. "I mean, I got tested eight or nine times. I know some of my teammates got tested, you know, seven, eight ... times and, you know, if you think about where the game is today versus where it was six years ago, I think Major League Baseball has made some nice strides." Continue

A-Rod could earn $305 million if he breaks all-time home run record

One of the final details of Alex Rodriguez's new contract with the Yankees has been resolved, and it could push the total value of his new pact to $305 million over 10 years. The Yankees and officials from both the players' union and Major League Baseball have worked through the language regarding the marketing package that centers on A-Rod's pursuit of various home-run milestones, including Barry Bonds' all-time record, a Yankee official said last night.

Rodriguez, who hit 54 homers last season and has 518 in his career, which puts him 17th on the all-time list, could make as much as $6 million each time he ties one of the luminaries in the top four. He'd cash in if he were to match Willie Mays' 660 homers, Babe Ruth's 714, Hank Aaron's 755 and Bonds' final tally. Rodriguez would get an additional $6 million for setting the all-time mark, making the marketing package worth $30 million if he hits every milestone. Continue

A-Rod wins 3rd AL MVP, would trade all three for World Series ring

Alex Rodriguez joined the Yankees in 2004 as the defending American League Most Valuable Player. When he signs his new 10-year contract in the coming days, he will hold the same title.

A-Rod picked up his third career MVP award Monday, joining an exclusive club that now has nine members, including Yankees legends Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle and Yogi Berra. Barry Bonds leads the list with seven MVPs, while Roy Campanella, Jimmie Foxx, Stan Musial and Mike Schmidt each won three. Continue

MVP before

Alex Rodriguez isn't going to hit the mother load of daily doubles today because the details of the richest deal in baseball history won't be ironed out by the time Rodriguez is announced as the AL MVP this afternoon.

The Yankees, agent Scott Boras and MLB officials are moving toward finding a way for Rodriguez to share in the financial windfall the Yankees will experience as Rodriguez approaches Barry Bonds' all-time home-run record in pinstripes. Because milestone bonuses are not allowed in player contracts, a revenue-sharing program has to be agreed on before the 10-year, $275 million deal becomes official. The contract easily could climb past the $300 million mark. Rodriguez, 32, has 518 homers; Bonds leads with 762. Continue

A-Rod: I have 'unfinished business'

Just days after agreeing to a gargantuan contract after his gargantuan season that should result in his being named MVP Monday, Alex Rodriguez said Saturday he has "some unfinished business in New York."

Presumably, he's not talking about simply signing the 10-year, $275 million contract he and the Yankees negotiated late in the week. Rodriguez, in his first public comments since he and the Yankees reunited, told MLB.com - the Web site for Major League Baseball - that he and his wife, Cynthia, finally feel like New Yorkers and New York "is a place we want to be a long time. Continue

Deal all but done

One day after Alex Rodriguez met with the Steinbrenner family in Tampa, the superstar third baseman and the Yankees agreed yesterday on the parameters of a 10-year deal worth $275 million.

Standing in the way of an announcement is language concerning how Rodriguez would benefit financially from him breaking Barry Bonds' all-time home run record as a Yankee. Rodriguez has 518 homers. Bonds, who was indicted for perjury yesterday, has 762.

Since milestone clauses aren't allowed in MLB contracts, the Yankees and Rodriguez are attempting to reach a revenue-sharing type deal since the Yankees will make an ocean of sponsor money off the historic event. It's believed that Rodriguez's take could reach as high as $30 million and push the total value of the contract beyond the $300 million mark. Continue

275 million reasons to stay: A-Rod says he loves New York

In a letter from the bottom of his heart - or the depth of his wallet - superstar Alex Rodriguez yesterday professed his love for New York and his desire to stay with the Yankees. "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," Rodriguez said in a surprise statement posted on his Web site.

After two weeks of playing chicken with Yankee brass, A-Rod didn't say why he now wants to make nice with George Steinbrenner and Company. (Of course, it couldn't possibly have anything to do with the 10-year, $275 million contract on the table.) Continue

A-Rod plea: Take me back please

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. Continue

I made a mistake-Rod

The New York Yankees are getting close to re-signing third baseman Alex Rodriguez to a multi-year contract that would pay him as much as $290 million, multiple baseball sources told MLB.com as the owners gathered here Wednesday for the final quarterly meetings of the year.

Though one source cautioned that the Yankees "don't have a deal yet," the possibility of it happening was the main topic of conversation as committees met on Wednesday in preparation for Thursday morning's joint session of the 30 owners and/or their representatives. Continue

A-Possibility

Hank Steinbrenner opened the door even wider for Mariano Rivera to return to the Yankees yesterday and - perhaps more interesting - did not slam the door on the potential of bringing back Alex Rodriguez.

Maybe it is just wishful thinking or part of a negotiating strategy, but in recent days the Yankees began to hear some buzz that Rodriguez was interested in engaging the organization in conversations. Until yesterday, Steinbrenner had dismissed Rodriguez since his agent, Scott Boras, announced during Game 4 of the World Series that his client was opting out of the final three years of his contract. Upset that Rodriguez would not even return his calls or negotiate with the club, Steinbrenner said the Yanks were moving on without Rodriguez, and the organization was unified behind that strategy. Continue

He might be stay-Rod

The last tiny, but real, lifeline between the Yankees and Alex Rodriguez still exists - arbitration. When asked last weekend if the Yanks would offer arbitration to Rodriguez, GM Brian Cashman said, “of course." But the idea was not based on retaining A-Rod. Cashman thought there was little possibility Rodriguez would accept a one-year deal.

“It is about the two draft picks," Cashman said. “By offering arbitration, we get the first-round pick of the team that signs him and a sandwich pick." Teams have until Dec. 1 to offer arbitration to their own free agents, and players must accept or reject by Dec. 7. If the player accepts, he is deemed a signed player and would either negotiate a contract or have an arbitrator decide the outcome. Continue

A-Rod's ego, demands hit new highs

What an unseemly end to the baseball season. Alex Rodriguez opts out of his Yankee contract during the last game of the World Series and his phony and greedy rep, Scott (Avenging Agent) Boras tries to tell us it was all an accident, coming out when it did.

"This was not an act that was done publicly," Boras insisted. "I sent a notice to the Yankees on Sunday, which was an interoffice communication between my office and the Yankees offices and somehow during the course of the day the story broke." As if to say it was the Yankees who leaked the story to SI.Com. But then, this is how stupid Boras thinks we all are. A close associate of A-Rod's tells the Daily News' Mark Feinsand that "the opt-out was not done with the intention of saying goodbye to the Yankees." Continue

Yankees more than $100M short of entertaining A-Rod

Before Alex Rodriguez opted out of his contract with the Yankees earlier this week, the team was told that it would not be able to meet with the third baseman unless it presented an offer of at least $350 million, sources say.

The Yankees had hoped to meet with Rodriguez this week, and would have presented him with an extension offer close to five years and $150 million, to begin at the conclusion of his 2008-2010 contract, through which he would have earned $81 million. Through the Yankees' proposal, then, Rodriguez would have made about $230 million over eight years, and during the last five years of the contract, sources say, he would have earned the highest annual salary in Major League Baseball history.

But team executives were told, sources say, that in order to arrange a meeting with Rodriguez, they would have to be prepared to make an extension offer that would take the third baseman's deal up to a total value of $350 million. That means that the offer the Yankees intended to propose would have been more than $100 million short. Continue

Earnin’ his pinstripes

The best player in baseball is 32, plays third base, led the majors in homers and RBIs and is a free agent. And despite whispers throughout baseball that he wants to be a Yankee, the club hasn't lifted a finger to make it happen even though there is a Help Wanted sign attached to the third base bag. Welcome to the dawn of a new era.

Joe Girardi was announced as the 32nd manager of the Yankees yesterday, but Alex Rodriguez was in the air at Yankee Stadium. Following Girardi getting blinded by an ocean of strobes and Joe Torre's replacement saying he will do whatever it takes to ensure free agents Mariano Rivera and Jorge Posada return to The Bronx with Andy Pettitte, GM Brian Cashman was smothered with questions concerning Rodriguez. Continue

Alex Rodriguez still hoping for chance to stay with Yankees

Alex Rodriguez's career in pinstripes came to an end when he opted out of his contract on Sunday night. Or did it? The Yankees have made it clear that they have no plans to bid on Rodriguez when free agency gets underway, but a source with knowledge of the situation said Rodriguez is hoping that the Bombers reconsider their stance.

"Alex wants the Yankees to be a part of this, because the opt-out was not done with the intention of saying goodbye to the Yankees," said the source. "Alex wants to see what his market value is, but that doesn't mean he necessarily wants to leave the Yankees." Continue

Until the end, It was always about A-Rod

In the end, this is the most appropriate way this latest twist in the Chronicles of A-Rod had to go. From the moment he first donned Yankee pinstripes on that all-smiles February day in 2004, he swore he would never make the most famous team in sports about Alex Rodriguez. He would be one of 25.“If you're looking for a squeaky wheel," he said, “you'd better look somewhere else."

And yet, as we came to know quickly, and as we learn right to the bitter end, it was always all about A-Rod, is always about A-Rod. It was about his astonishing talent and his astounding ego. It was about watching the greatest regular-season player of his generation and one of the most star-crossed October players of all time. Continue

Hank Steinbrenner says 'goodbye' to A-Rod

Hank Steinbrenner may be new to the baseball business, but the eldest son of George Steinbrenner knows one thing: If you don't want to be a Yankee, the Yankees don't want you. That was Steinbrenner's message to Alex Rodriguez last night after he learned that the third baseman had opted out of the final three years of his contract, electing to become a free agent before the Yankees even had a chance to offer him an extension.

"It's clear he didn't want to be a Yankee," Hank Steinbrenner told the Daily News last night. "He doesn't understand the privilege of being a Yankee on a team where the owners are willing to pay $200 million to put a winning product on the field. Continue

Rodriguez opts out of $252 million, 10-year contract with Yanks

Alex Rodriguez opted out of his $252 million, 10-year contract with the Yankees on Sunday in what appears to be the end of his career with New York. Rodriguez's decision, announced by agent Scott Boras during Game 4 of the World Series, makes him eligible to become a free agent. Rodriguez loses the final $72 million in guaranteed salary in the contract, of which $21.3 million was to be covered by payments from the Texas Rangers to the Yankees, and becomes eligible for free agency. New York had said it would not attempt to re-sign A-Rod if he opted out.

Boras said during a telephone interview that Rodriguez made his choice because he was uncertain whether Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada and Andy Pettitte would return to the Yankees. "Alex's decision was one based on not knowing what his closer, his catcher and one of his statured pitchers was going to do," Boras said. "He really didn't want to make any decisions until he knew what they were doing." Continue

No big deal

When Alex Rodriguez agrees to meet with the Yankees, he can expect to receive a four- to five-year contract offer that, combined with the three years remaining on Rodriguez's deal, will increase his average annual salary of $25.2 million. The Yankees were receptive to agent Scott Boras' request for a meeting but they insist Rodriguez attend the sit down, something the Yankees believe Boras is advising Rodriguez not to do. "Nothing that I am aware of," Boras said yesterday when asked if a date has been set to talk to the Yankees.

The Yankees understand they will have to give Rodriguez a raise if they want him to return, but according to a person with knowledge of the Yankees' plans, they aren't prepared to go to the $30 million a year Boras believes is out there for his client, who next month will cop his second AL MVP in three years. Nor are the Yankees going anywhere close to the 12 years Boras has mentioned for his 32-year-old client. Continue

Yankees expected to make record-setting offer to A-Rod

The New York Yankees have asked to meet with third baseman Alex Rodriguez, and if and when they get that meeting, league sources indicate the team is prepared to make him an offer that will exceed, in average salary, the $27 million per year that he is scheduled to make over the next three seasons -- and A-Rod would be in line to set yet another salary benchmark.

The offer could be for something in the range of five years -- beyond the three years Rodriguez is already under contract for, from 2008-10 -- and perhaps $30 million a year. The highest per-workday salary earned to date is the $28 million Roger Clemens received, in prorated salary, for a little less than four months of work this season. Continue

Yankees seek Alex Rodriguez sit-down to discuss contract

As Alex Rodriguez moved one day closer to his opt-out date, the Yankees were working to set up a face-to-face meeting with the third baseman. Hank Steinbrenner said yesterday in Tampa that he believes the meeting will take place "soon," though he added that A-Rod's situation had nothing to do with the team's timetable on its manager search.

Rodriguez has three years and $ 81million remaining on his current deal, the record 10-year, $252 million contract he signed with Texas before the 2001 season. The Rangers are on the hook for almost $ 30million of that money, but if A-Rod opts out, the Yankees would lose that subsidy if they were to re-sign the third baseman as a free agent. Continue

Steinbrenners opting to talk with A-Rod

The Yankees are making plans for a face-to-face meeting with Alex Rodriguez in the hope they can persuade their All World third baseman and cleanup hitter to stay in The Bronx and not opt out of his contract to become a free agent. "Apparently we will talk soon, I am told," Rodriguez's agent, Scott Boras, said last night when asked about the Yankees brass talking to his client. "I would expect it will include all parties."

Asked if there were an offer on the table from the Yankees, Boras didn't say yes or no but explained Rodriguez wasn't interested in talking financial terms until he hears from Hank and Hal Steinbrenner about the direction George Steinbrenner's sons intend to take with the Yankees. "We have been very clear with the Yankees that we are not in the economic phase of the process," Boras said. "We are considering our next step and that will be preceded by taking in information. We want to be thorough. Alex wants to know the intentions of Hank and Hal." Continue

Scott Boras: Yankee decisions will impact Alex Rodriguez

Joe Torre's messy exit from the Bronx and the uncertain status of free agents Mariano Rivera and Jorge Posada could impact Alex Rodriguez's decision on whether to opt out of the final three years of his contract, Scott Boras told the Daily News yesterday. "Looking at the decisions the Yankees have to make is important to Alex," Boras, A-Rod's agent, said when reached by The News. "He wants to know who is on the team and who is managing the team."

The uncertain future of star players such as Posada, Rivera and Andy Pettitte - not to mention the empty chair in the manager's office - could make it more difficult for the Yankees to sign Rodriguez to an extension before his opt-out date arrives. "Hopefully we can keep him. If not, we can't," Yankee GM Brian Cashman said when informed of Boras' latest words. "Our position does not change." Continue

Cashman confirms: If A-Rod opts out, he's done as Yankee

Although no decision was made regarding Joe Torre's future during the second day of the Yankees' organizational meetings, it appears that the group of front-office execs was able to agree on something. If Alex Rodriguez opts out, his time in pinstripes will be over. Echoing a position he has stated before, general manager Brian Cashman reiterated the club's stance that should the third baseman opt out of his contract, the Yankees would bid the two-time MVP farewell and let him sign elsewhere without a fight.

"I can reaffirm that if Alex Rodriguez opts out of his contract, that we will not participate in his free agency," Cashman said after the second day of meetings concluded. "That is accurate and that is definitive." Rodriguez has three years and $81million remaining on the record 10-year, $252 million deal he signed with the Texas Rangers before the 2001 season. But a clause in the contract allows him to scrap the final three years and become a free agent, a move clearly being endorsed by his agent, Scott Boras. Continue

How will Yanks vs A-Rod end?

On the cul-de-sac at the end of a Southern California canyon road, Scott Boras has a home the size of a small resort, complete with Pacific view. There is a guest house there, where Alex and Cynthia Rodriguez annually come to decompress after the season. When they arrive within the next week or so, Alex will go to school. "We're going to spend a week together. He has to go through a mountain of stuff; we'll go through it together," Boras says.

The mountain of stuff includes the information Boras' 40-person negotiation staff has compiled, data that goes way beyond what you'll find on the back of his baseball card. Before Rodriguez decides whether to remain under contract with the New York Yankees or forgo the final three years of his deal for free agency - the deadline to decide is 10 days after the World Series ends - Boras will sell Rodriguez on himself. Boras will show the best player in baseball how, if you had looked at the careers of Willie Mays, Barry Bonds, Mickey Mantle, Joe DiMaggio, etc., etc., when they were 32, none of them could have looked forward to the numbers that await A-Rod. Consequently, none of them was ever paid anything close to the numbers that await A-Rod. "Then," Boras says. "He'll let me know." Continue

Boras, Alex looking at 12 years

Is Alex Rodriguez set to sign the final contract of his career? A pact that would dwarf the record-setting 10-year, $252 million he inked following the 2000 season? According to agent Scott Boras, Rodriguez getting a 12-year deal isn't out of the question and painted a picture where the team committing a dozen seasons to his client would make money with Rodriguez.

"In 2000 the YES network didn't exist," said Boras, who insists regional sports networks have changed the financial landscape of baseball, providing deep revenue streams. "Now it's worth $3 billion to $3.5 billion easily. What is it going to be worth in 12 years when Alex will be at the end of his career, chasing records and people wanting to say, 'I saw him play.' " Asked if Rodriguez was going to seek a 12-year deal, Boras didn't deny it. And since it's generally been assumed that Rodriguez, 32, will be looking for $30 million a year, that's a whopping $360 million. "The key thing for Alex and his family is that he wants to be in the place where he is going to end his career," Boras said. "He wants to be in one spot with a positive chance to win a World Championship." Continue

Bluff's enough

IT is possible that no one involved in sports does their job better than Scott Boras. His characteristics are ideally suited to his work. He is egomaniacal, ambitious, ruthless, self-confident, tireless, brilliant and patient. The person across a negotiating table is never going to be more prepared, more determined to win, less willing to blink. He is what the Terminator would look like if he returned with a law degree and certification from the Players Association.

I believe if Boras represented Michael Vick rather than the featherweights at the NFLPA, Vick would be playing quarterback for the Falcons this weekend. I wanted you to see my admiration for Boras' abilities so you know I do not make the next statement lightly: I think when it comes to Alex Rodriguez, Scott Boras is bluffing. Continue

Yankees won't re-sign Alex Rodriguez if he opts out

Alex Rodriguez was nowhere to be seen yesterday at the Stadium, leaving the annual task of cleaning out his locker to his favorite clubhouse lackey. The question is, will that locker be occupied by A-Rod in 2008? The answer to that question won't be known for some time, and until Rodriguez and his agent, Scott Boras, decide whether to opt out of the final three years of his record 10-year, $252million contract to test the free-agent market.

Boras, speaking with the Daily News last night via telephone, wouldn't say whether Rodriguez planned to exercise his opt-out clause, but the agent hinted that A-Rod's value would be at an all-time high if he did."The right of free agency is something that, since its inception, has never been more valued to players as it is today," Boras told The News. "When the Yankees acquired Alex, they knew that the clause in the contract would give them the player for four years - and that's about all they could expect." Continue

Agent: A-Rod worth mega deal, doesn't rule out leaving

Alex Rodriguez might be headed toward the second landmark contract of his career. Rodriguez can opt out of the final three years of his 10-year, $252-million contract 10 days after the conclusion of the World Series. And Rodriguez's agent, Scott Boras, who negotiated that contract, indicated that he believes the Yankees third baseman could command a mammoth deal, given the rise of regional sports networks such as the YES Network and the record crowds in Major League Baseball.

"Academically, I would say that because the Yankees have the right to exclusively negotiate with him in this time," Boras said in a phone interview Tuesday night, "Alex has the ability to listen to them." Continue

Alex Rodriguez snaps streak, earns Steinbrenner's praise

Alex Rodriguez will take on all the pressure. He will take the heat for his poor playoff performances, and be the focus of all the attention - good and bad. He will take it all, he said, because it makes games like last night's season-saving 8-4 come-from-behind win over the Indians all the sweeter.

"I enjoy it, I don't mind, I am always gonna be the focus and that's fine," Rodriguez said after the game. "The important score is whether we win. Anything else, it doesn't matter. When we have a night like today, when we swung the bats well it's really rewarding." Continue

Alex Rodriguez's October struggles continue

There is no great mystery to Alex Rodriguez's latest postseason slump. His sad descent into familiar, nether territory can be mapped out in three simple, downward bounds:

1. He's faced a couple of extraordinary starters.

2. Guys batting behind him have been just as awful as he has, so he's seeing lousy pitches.

3. He's been a nervous wreck, and is swinging at those bad pitches.

This is nothing new, really. We've witnessed it all before with him during the three most recent playoff series. These things also happen to some, though not to all, of the other great stars in past years. Reggie Jackson didn't always get great pitches to hit, either, and faced some guys who knew what they were throwing. Continue

A-Rod admits: 'I'm pressing'

Alex Rodriguez isn't the only Yankee who looks like he is swinging a wet newspaper instead of a bat. However, because of his past October failures as a Yankee, Rodriguez is under the spotlight. So when he went 0-for-4 in last night's 2-1 ALDS Game 2 loss in 11 innings to the Indians that put the Yankees in an 0-2 ditch and one game away from first-round elimination for the third straight season, A-Rod was asked about it.

"I am pressing. I have to start swinging at strikes," said Rodriguez, who struck out on a 3-2 pitch with Bobby Abreu on second and two outs in the ninth with the score tied, 1-1. "If the pitch isn't a strike, go to first base and trust [Jorge] Posada and [Hideki] Matsui." Continue

A-Rod's looser attitude could mean postseason success

For so long, he's been so serious. Back when Alex Rodriguez was 15 years old and his days in Miami were filled with sun and baseball, A-Rod was a skinny, yet often severe, teenager. He could joke around with Doug Mientkiewicz and his other teammates at Westminster Christian School. But, Mientkiewicz said, it was hard for Rodriguez to laugh at himself. Yes, these were merely prep games - no TV audience, no baseball legacies on the line - but "Alex always put a lot of heat on himself," Mientkiewicz said.

Flash forward to the best season of Rodriguez's major-league career and perhaps he has learned something. While it's unclear which A-Rod will be batting fourth for the Yankees tonight - the one who used to let every postseason oh-fer crash into his psyche like a torpedo or the one who relaxed after finally learning to laugh at himself this season - he at least seemed to let go of the idea that he needs to be perfect all the time. Continue

It's World Series or bust for Alex Rodriguez

In the four years since Alex Rodriguez joined the Yankees, he has won an American League MVP award (with a second likely to follow next month), belted 183 home runs, driven in 513 runs and hit .303. The Bombers are 387-261, an impressive .597 winning percentage, reaching the postseason each year. So why has A-Rod's stay in New York been considered such a failure by many? October. That's why.

Whether it's fair or not, A-Rod has been judged largely on his performance in the postseason. He was red-hot during his first eight playoff games in pinstripes, leading the Yankees past the Twins in the first round in 2004, then helping them jump out to a 3-0 lead against the Red Sox in the ALCS. Continue

October time!

Alex Rodriguez understands those who don't trust that his MVP season will translate into October success. After all, his past two postseasons have been nightmares for the Yankees and arguably the best player in baseball. He knows the denizens are poised to shower him with boos the first time he fails against the Indians in the upcoming ALDS.

And he promises it won't get to him. A year ago, that may not have been the case. A-Rod says the ability to laugh at his failures, something he has never been able to do, has played a role in relaxing him. So, too, has a better relationship with Joe Torre, and A-Rod evolving into a team leader. Continue

Here comes hunt for ROD October

There they were, the two superstars of the Yankees Universe, heading straight toward one another. Alex Rodriguez was still wearing his champagne-soaked uniform while Derek Jeter had changed into his street clothes, ready to exit the visiting clubhouse at Tropicana Field.

“Come on Jetes, one more hug,” Rodriguez yelled as he zeroed in on Jeter like he was zeroing in on a fastball. “Wait, no, no, no,” said the backpedaling Jeter, trying to escape the clutches of A-Rod. Rodriguez was not to be denied. He lifted the Captain into the air with a mighty bear hug and the two nearly tumbled to the wet floor. Wild-card champagne never tasted so sweet for the Yankees. Continue

‘Grand’ night for A-Rod

The catwalk rises 115 feet above Tropicana Field, near the left-field wall. In Alex Rodriguez’s amazing 2007 world, the structure turned out to be just another target. Rodriguez’s third-inning grand slam hit that catwalk, and the blast gave the Yankees a 5-0 lead over the Devil Rays. But every once in a while the Yankees revert back to their 21-29 form, and it usually is because of horrid pitching. Continue

A-Rod agent a 'Cub $cout'

A new report says Alex Rodriguez's agent has spoken to a potential new owner of the Chicago Cubs about a bank-breaking deal that could give A-Rod a cut of the team. The powerful Yankee third baseman is eligible to opt for free agency 10 days after the World Series ends this fall. And, New York magazine reports, super-agent Scott Boras is already talking to who he thinks is the favorite group vying to purchase Chicago's first-place team.

A-Rod has three seasons left on a 10-year, $252 million deal with the Yanks but has the right to become a free agent after this season ends. According to the magazine, Boras is peddling a Second City deal that could go for an average of $30 million a year over 10 seasons, with much of that cash backloaded for the 32-year-old Rodriguez - who would then be given the right to buy a chunk of the Cubs at the contract's conclusion. The report does not indicate who would pay for this proposed, precedent-setting deal. Continue

Alex Rodriguez's four hits, three RBI clutch for Yankees

Every time Alex Rodriguez walks to the plate these days, especially when the Yankees have runners on, more than 50,000 sets of eyes are trained on him, and over 50,000 voices start chanting "M-V-P!".

Yesterday, Rodriguez continued his push to win that award for the third time, collecting four hits in the Yankees' 12-11 win over the Blue Jays. "It was a big win for us," Rodriguez said after the 10-inning marathon. "It was like a heavyweight battle. You had one of those feelings that whoever hit last was going to win the game." Continue

A-Rod quickly sheds thoughts of slump

Division-championship fever was cooled last night, chilled, despite a four-run, game-tying, ninth-inning rally, by a Red Sox win and a Gregg Zaun 14th-inning homer off Brian Bruney. At least the thermometer in Alex Rodriguez's mouth, placed there by the three hits in 29 at bats coming into the 5-4 loss was again registering normal.

His RBI single off the masterful Roy Halladay, Rodriguez's second hit of the game and fourth hard-hit ball, was his 21st hit in the ninth inning this season. In the 10th, with Bobby Abreu on first and two outs, Rodriguez almost took Russ Adams' hand off with a smash so hard the third baseman had time to reach behind him, pick up the ball and make the play at first. The only time Rodriguez didn't make good contact in a 2-for-6 night was on a 13th inning pop-up. Continue

Alex Rodriguez wants to carry Yankees in October

Babe Ruth. Mickey Mantle. Roger Maris. Alex Rodriguez. That's the entire list of players who have hit 50 or more home runs in a Yankee uniform. Rodriguez's 52 homers this year are tied for the seventh-highest total in club history, and with 19 games left in the regular season, he figures to climb higher on that list.

"I used to marvel at watching Bernie Williams pass Hall of Famers in the different categories (on the Yankees' all-time lists)," Joe Torre said. "What Alex has done in a short period of time is amazing."A-Rod has used the word "magical" to describe his season, though Doug Mientkiewicz doesn't believe magic has anything to do with it. Continue

A league record in A-Rod's reach?

The legend of Alex Rodriguez's 2007 season continues to grow. Rodriguez added a couple of new bullet points to his MVP candidacy last night, logging his second multi-homer night in three games as he led the Yankees to an 11-5 win over the Royals. With three weeks left in the season, he already has laid claim to the best season by a third baseman in major-league history.

A-Rod hit homers No. 50 and 51, extending his franchise record for the most homers by a righthanded hitter. All but two of those homers have come while he was playing third; he broke the mark of 48 homers by a third baseman set by the Phillies' Mike Schmidt in 1980 and matched by the Dodgers' Adrian Beltre in 2004). Continue

Rodriguez seems a lock to join elite fraternity

It could be time to add another face onto the Mount Rushmore of Yankees’ lore. Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle and now Alex Rodriguez.

Barring an enormous finish, Rodriguez’s 2007 season won’t rate as the greatest in Yankees history, but it will be remembered as something special nonetheless. His final numbers, if Rodriguez maintains his current pace for the final three weeks of the regular season, will include 56 home runs, 155 RBIs and 147 runs scored. Continue

A-Rod's big 4-0

The home run milestones change, but Alex Rodriguez' reaction to reaching them remains the same. Monday night he clubbed his 40th homer in a heartbreaking 7-6, 10-inning loss to the Angels in Anaheim. He is the fifth player in history to reach 40 homers in at least eight seasons. Babe Ruth did it 11 times and Hank Aaron, Barry Bonds and Harmon Killebrew each did it eight times. "I am proud, it's pretty awesome," Rodriguez said before crushing Nos. 41 and 42 last night in Anaheim. "It's pretty humbling." Continue

Wish upom an A-Rod

Outside of saying his goal is to help the Yankees win a World Series and how much he loves New York, Alex Rodriguez refuses to commit to being a Yankee beyond the end of this season.

By now even the most casual Yankees fan understands the situation. Rodriguez can opt out of the final three years of his contract, leave $81 million on the table and become a free agent. If he files for free agency, the Yankees say they aren't going to be bidders because they don't want to lose the $21.2 million discount they have coming from the Rangers in 2008-10. That, however, could change come November. Continue

A-Rod having hot Indian summer

Before last night's game, Alex Rodriguez was sitting around a table with Robinson Cano and Melky Cabrera, having a few laughs with his two young teammates in the clubhouse. A-Rod then went out and took that loose attitude to the field, bashing a pair of two-run home runs to lead the Yankees in an 11-2 win over the Indians.

Ever since he hit his 500th home run eight days ago, Rodriguez has looked like a different player. The tension he showed while approaching the milestone is gone, allowing the MVP front-runner to let his talent shine. "It was good to get that 500th home run out of the way and get back to real baseball," Rodriguez said. "The same game that I hit the home run, I got two low line drives the other way for base hits; that's what (hitting coach Kevin Long) has been advocating all year for me." Continue

A-Rod's name carries juice

This is what happens when you are far more interested in protecting the guilty, as the Major League Baseball Players Association has done for years with drugs, than you are the innocent. Alex Rodriguez happens.

Jose Canseco says something about A-Rod and then Chipper Jones says something about what Canseco said. Canseco is shopping another book. The first was called "Juiced." The second, if it gets written, will be called "Vindicated." Chipper wasn't shopping anything, just answering questions about steroids in baseball as straightforwardly as he knows how. Continue

Chipper will talk to A-Rod

When Chipper Jones told a reporter from The Associated Press on Wednesday that he believes questions about possible steroid use will follow Alex Rodriguez in his eventual pursuit of Barry Bonds' home run record, Jones didn't think he was making big news. Jones insisted Thursday he actually was defending A-Rod and blamed the New York media -- "the pot-stirrers here," he said -- for making it seem as if he were taking aim at the Yankees' third baseman.

Jones wouldn't address New York reporters, speaking only to the reporters who regularly cover the Braves. He told them he will call A-Rod to explain himself, and that he should have simply told the AP reporter that A-Rod will have "to answer the questions just like me, just like anybody else in this era." Continue

Atlanta's Chip shot at A-Rod

Chipper Jones says Barry Bonds and Alex Rodriguez have plenty in common, and that might not be a good thing for the Yankee slugger. Jones, certainly no fan favorite in Queens, stirred up things on the other side of town last night when he said the same steroid questions that have dogged Bonds for years will soon hang over A-Rod, especially if he makes a run at the all-time home run record. Continue

Unlike Bonds, A-Rod is someone worth rooting for

Alex Rodriguez stopped only briefly. He paused to watch the ball as it soared into the leftfield stands and he took a second to hug his teammates, starting with Derek Jeter, of all people. For the most part, though, Rodriguez just kept moving, which is good news for all of us.

A-Rod is our best hope. We need him to keep going for a few more years. The Yankee who hit his 500th home run yesterday is the best chance we have to wipe Barry Bonds and his sorry milestone right out of our minds - and the record book. You don't have to be a Yankees fan to appreciate that Rodriguez reached 500 at a younger age (32 years, 8 days) than anyone else ever has and that he is in top shape. All you need is a look at the churlish Bonds and his laughable testimony that he used a chemical enhancement only by accident (he reportedly said he thought it was something else).