A daily look at the big story of the day in sports as seen through the eyes of writers and bloggers all across the internet.
In a recent interview with LA Weekly, Scott Boras discussed the ever-increasing salaries in Major League Baseball and made a predicition about where they're headed.
“I’ve said it before — there’s going to be a $30 million-per-year contract. I don’t know when, but there will be one, because baseball revenue will keep growing, and I’m all about the percentage of revenues.”
There's a pretty good chance that Boras knows just who that $30 million player will be because he serves as that player's agent. That news should probably concern Yankees general manager Brian Cashman because that player is having one of the best seasons of his already superlative career. Alex Rodriguez will likely be searching for that mammoth contract when he opts out of his current deal this winter and it's getting difficult for the Yankees to avoid being the team than antes up for his services.
A-Rod has 28 homers and 73 RBI after last night's win against the Mets and that puts him on pace for 65 and 177, respectively. That's the kind of production that makes $25 million seem like pocket change, especially since his April performance kept the team's head above water and his May slump almost helped sink their chances at contention. June, though, has brought a return to his previous standard and his 14 homers, 34 RBI and .400 average have brought the Yankees back into the pennant race. What does that mean for their chances at signing him?
It helps them. There were only going to be a handful of teams that could justify paying out the money that Rodriguez could demand on the open market and if he is coming off of his best-ever season that list shrinks considerably. There's no spot for him with the Mets and with uncertain ownership the Cubs can't be a serious contender for his services right now. That leaves the Red Sox, Angels, Dodgers and Yankees. When you throw in the fact that the Yankees would take a massive PR hit for letting the best player in baseball walk away with no compensation that keeps them ahead of the pack of suitors. He's also eliminated any thought that he can't handle the pressures of New York. His relationship with a large-chested stripper was splashed across the back pages just as his recent tear began and his overall game didn't suffer the way it did in 2006 during his May swoon. Take all of it together and it's going to be very difficult for the Yankees to come up with a justification for letting Rodriguez slip away when the season comes to a close.
Given that the Yankees are only paying a portion of his current contract even if they signed him for the same deal he has now it would be a raise of about $8-10 million per year. Is he worth that much money? The only third baseman on the market that would be able to come close to replicating his production is Miguel Cabrera of the Marlins and he'd cost the Yankees blood as well as treasure. That flies in the face of Cashman's stated devotion to building the roster from within and wouldn't end up saving them a ton of money in the long run. They could spend the money in a different direction but free agents-to-be don't pack the same punch that Rodriguez does and any player under contract is going to cost them the same kind of payout that Cabrera will command. Let's face it, the Yankees are always going to spend a fair amount of coin. Shouldn't they do that with the devil they know rather than risk another Giambi-sized disappointment?
Rodriguez can opt out after this season, and the strong feeling around baseball and within the Yankee organization is Rodriguez will do just that. It is just so interesting that in the season in which he has most conclusively proven he can handle New York, Rodriguez can escape. (Joel Sherman, New York Post)
The last batter, period, to have a season of 90+ RCAA was Barry Bonds in 2004. In fact, the only batters to have 90+ RCAA seasons since 2000 are Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa, Jason Giambi, Carlos Delgado, Albert Pujols and Luis Gonzalez. We know that many of those players reached that level with some help. Again, it just shows you what level Alex Rodriguez is batting at, so far, this season: It's superhuman. (Was Watching)
Rodriguez is the best hitter in the game right now and one of the best of all time. He looks like a decent bet to end his career with more home runs than anybody else has ever hit. And if the Yankees stage a miracle comeback and make the playoffs and a run at the World Series, he will have been a huge part of it. But to focus on that would be to forget all of the trouble he brought from 2004-06. His disappearing act in the ALCS against Boston. The slumping and moping of the 2006 season. The fact that his Hall of Fame manager was at such a loss about what to do with him that he dropped him to No. 8 in the batting order in a playoff game. It would be to forget the classless way he's represented the organization at times on the field -- slapping balls out of gloves, calling opposing infielders off fly balls. It would be to overlook the disdain and exasperation he fosters in his teammates, who respect his awesome talent but barely speak to him in the clubhouse. (Dan Graziano, NJ.com)
My feelings are that he's the greatest player we will ever, EVER see, and we as Yankee fans should embrace him. I love Derek Jeter as much as the next guy, but I root for Rodriguez because he's a Yankee. I realize that Jeter and Rodriguez are two different players, and it is unfair to compare the two. I absolutely hate A-Rod vs. Jeter arguments (I have a feeling that this was what Mantle vs. Maris was like, but I'm obviously way too young). Both are integral parts of what could be a devastating lineup. (Scott Proctor's Arm)
And surely for every Rodriguez, there are dozens of Mike Stantons and Jeff Nelsons and David Weatherses out there. What the Yankees need to do now is take the money they will save on A-Rod and go find them. (Wallace Matthews, Newsday)
Consider for a second, again, that the Yankees are being subsidized by Tom Hicks to the tune of $7m a year so that ARod can put up those numbers in the Stadium. Consider that Wallace Matthews thinks they should use the money on 6th inning set-up guys and 37 year-olds with WHIPs in the 1.50 range. Consider also that the Yankees do not need to free up any money to sign anyone, much less a reliever or two who cost like $2m a year. Consider that Alex Rodriguez's EqA is .354. Consider all of that, and then read this article again, and try to figure out why this article ever got written. (Fire Joe Morgan)
There was talk earlier in the season by Brian Cashman that ARod had a contract, and that the option was his right to exercise. That's true. Cashman also said that "He has a decision at the end of the year, not the Yankees," which is true before the comma. The Yankees definitely have a decision to make and I hope they make the right one. Pay the man, like you owe him money. (Yanksfan vs. Soxfan)
(AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
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