Alex Rodriguez

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

Interesting note that I found on (oh yes!) mlbtraderumors.com. This one coming from Bill Madden and I mentioned this in another post about the amount of money coming off the books for the Red Sox next season. So this is perfect to sit back and analyze. The current team is solid, the farm system looks great, and now it appears we have lots of money to play with in the offseason.

 

Additions:

$2MM more for Manny Ramirez

$1MM more for Julio Lugo

$2MM more for Daisuke Matsuzaka

$3.5MM more for Josh Beckett

$1.25MM more for Coco Crisp

 

An additional $9.75MM in escalating salaries

 

Subtractions:

$13MM for Curt Schilling

$9.5MM for Matt Clement

$9MM for Mike Lowell

$2.81MM for Eric Hinske

$4MM for Joel Pineiro

$2.8MM for Mike Timlin

 

$41.11MM off the books

 

This would certainly clear enough room to make a hard attempt at Alex Rodriguez. Personally I think its almost a guarantee he opts out of his contract. He won't negotiate a contract extension until after the season with the Yanks and why would he consider negotiating when he can opt out and have the league fight it out for his services. The biggest thing I see is of the players being removed....they can all be replaced within the organization. Despite a few small additions the Red Sox could make this one move and make their offseason.

 

The thought of Manny, Ortiz, and A-Rod batting in the middle of the lineup next season is...just scary

[schillingouttheks]

I would love A-Rod here. I've been an advocate of it for quite some time now. I'm sick of all this "I don't want A-Rod here" crap from fans that hate him so much because of his Yankee days. I really don't give a s***. Someone like A-Rod can easily put your team over the top. I think the Sox definitely have to go hard after A-Rod (because I feel as though he's going to opt out, and if he does, it's ONLY because he wants out of NY...there's no other possible reason considering the Yanks are probably the only team willing to pay that much for him). If we signed A-Rod I would probably do nothing but smile for a week. Now here's the question:

 

Do you sign him to play 3B or SS?

 

Now I'm going out on a limb here as well. Actually, way far out on a limb, but if the Sox were able to sign A-Rod to play SS, and trade for Miguel Cabrera at 3B, I would probably never complain about Theo Epstein ever again.

[yankees228]

SOTK, I think another reason he might opt out is because he's looking for another long term deal. If he did opt out he would get that long term contract and would have a bunch of teams bidding for his services. In my opinion, it is quite possible that he returns to the Yankees.

[ORS]

I have my doubts about the Sox going that hard after him. I mean, one of the hiccups in the trade was that they wanted to reduce what he was already getting paid. Now, three years later (and ARod 3 years older), they are going to pay him more? Consider me skeptical.

 

This isn't to say I don't think they should. He's the best player in the game and would put up video game numbers at Fenway, but I don't know if they will. It will be an interesting offseason once he opts out.

[HeadOfSoxNation]

I would love A-Rod here. I've been an advocate of it for quite some time now. I'm sick of all this "I don't want A-Rod here" crap from fans that hate him so much because of his Yankee days. I really don't give a s***. Someone like A-Rod can easily put your team over the top. I think the Sox definitely have to go hard after A-Rod (because I feel as though he's going to opt out, and if he does, it's ONLY because he wants out of NY...there's no other possible reason considering the Yanks are probably the only team willing to pay that much for him). If we signed A-Rod I would probably do nothing but smile for a week. Now here's the question:

 

Do you sign him to play 3B or SS?

 

Now I'm going out on a limb here as well. Actually, way far out on a limb, but if the Sox were able to sign A-Rod to play SS, and trade for Miguel Cabrera at 3B, I would probably never complain about Theo Epstein ever again.

 

Cabrera better call Jenny Craig or something, because he's going to eat his way out of 3B eventually. The guy is a stud no doubt, and I'd love to see him mashing in Boston, but he's freaking ballooning. If we did trade for him, I guess we could always move him to first and have Youk go back to 3B. MLB.com has him listed at 240...I think that's EXTREMELY conservative.

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

I have my doubts about the Sox going that hard after him. I mean, one of the hiccups in the trade was that they wanted to reduce what he was already getting paid. Now, three years later (and ARod 3 years older), they are going to pay him more? Consider me skeptical.

 

This isn't to say I don't think they should. He's the best player in the game and would put up video game numbers at Fenway, but I don't know if they will. It will be an interesting offseason once he opts out.

 

I completely agree about the fact it makes no sense to pay a guy more money when he is 3 years older as opposed to what you originally wanted him at. Then again JD Drew was in the range of a 4 year 60 million deal and then got a 5 year 70 million deal. I guess it depends what the market is for these players.

[HeadOfSoxNation]

I completely agree about the fact it makes no sense to pay a guy more money when he is 3 years older as opposed to what you originally wanted him at. Then again JD Drew was in the range of a 4 year 60 million deal and then got a 5 year 70 million deal. I guess it depends what the market is for these players.

 

There's never going to be a "market" for ARod's services. A "market" would indicate that his price could go up or down depending on who's out there with him...ARod is the type of player who can demand his own price regardless of when he is a free agent or who else is in the pool along side him. When you're a once in a generation type of player, you can have such liberties.

 

What I mean is, a player like ARod creates and dictates the market, rather than becomes a product of it.

[schillingouttheks]

Not to mention the fact that Ichiro's new deal is going to inflate contracts. That's not to say that he's not worth it, but I can easily see A-Rod getting in the neighborhood of $28M-$30M/yr.

 

ORS, I see what you're saying, but the Sox went on an abnormal spending spree this past off-season. I was glad to see it. If they have the financial muscles to flex (like they do), I think they should. Hopefully they've seen that their prior philosophy wasn't working and they start putting the best possible team on the field. If they have to do it by spending, so be it. Of course, that's my philosophy...it doesn't mean the Sox will think that way. EDIT: I just noticed that this response sounded a bit like you don't want A-Rod or don't think they should sign him. My apologies if you take it that way.

[redsoxrules]

well apparently lucchino is gona make a strong push for him

 

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7023288

[jacksonianmarch]

I have my doubts about the Sox going that hard after him. I mean, one of the hiccups in the trade was that they wanted to reduce what he was already getting paid. Now, three years later (and ARod 3 years older), they are going to pay him more? Consider me skeptical.

 

This isn't to say I don't think they should. He's the best player in the game and would put up video game numbers at Fenway, but I don't know if they will. It will be an interesting offseason once he opts out.

 

dont you mean "if" he opts out?

 

I have a feeling Boras is going to use the opt out deadline like he used DiceK's deadline to go back to Japan. See how far he can push, but I dont think he will get a better deal than here. I dont see any other team throw around 30+ mil a season until he is nearly 40. That makes no sense.

[riverside sluggers]

its not just on mlbtraderumors.com, it was being talked about nesn as well as an almost all day discussion on weei

 

Im not a fan of Arod's person but damn to think of him having Fenway Park as his home... get goosebumps instantly. I think that especially if Lugo has a good 2nd half that theyll keep him and have Arod play 3rd

 

I hate offseason talk in july when team is 1st place as much as anybody. But sometimes it can be fun. As I said during last offseason I hope Crisp has a good year to boost his trade value so Ellsbury can take stage for 2008

 

1. Ellsbury cf

2. Pedroia 2b

3. Ortiz dh

4. Ramirez lf

5. Rodriguez 3b

6. Drew rf

7. Youkilis 1b

8. Varitek c

9. Lugo ss

 

Why doesnt it make sense Jacko? He's an MVP player and well worth it, plus no one thought the Sox wouldve blown everyone out of the war with the bid for Dice-K

[HeadOfSoxNation]

I can easily see A-Rod getting in the neighborhood of $28M-$30M/yr.

 

For sure...I see ARod getting a 6 or 7 year deal at about 30-31M per. I don't think he's opting out for the financial component, but you know a raise will come with whatever deal he does sign.

[schillingouttheks]

well apparently lucchino is gona make a strong push for him

 

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7023288

 

Good. It would be foolish to not AT LEAST inquire. The fact that Lucchino wants to make a strong push is promising.

Haha, how amazing would it be if we landed A-Rod? Who would have thought that we could have A-Rod on the same team as Manny despite those trade rumors back in 2003?

[schillingouttheks]

For sure...I see ARod getting a 6 or 7 year deal at about 30-31M per. I don't think he's opting out for the financial component' date=' but you know a raise will come with whatever deal he does sign.[/quote']

 

Definitely. The only reason eh would opt out, IMO, is because he wants out of NY. If NY is still an option in his mind, he should stay under contract and get extended. NY is the only team that would be willing to give him $30+M/yr. Another team may do it, but not willingly.

[HeadOfSoxNation]

You know what's crazy to think about? Of all of ARod's 3 teams...every single one of them has been better before him than they were with him.

[redsoxrules]

ortiz,manny and Arod ..any opposing pitcher would s*** them selves when they reach that part of the order

[HeadOfSoxNation]

1. Ellsbury cf

2. Pedroia 2b

3. Ortiz dh

4. Ramirez lf

5. Rodriguez 3b

6. Drew rf

7. Youkilis 3b

8. Varitek c

9. Lugo ss

 

I just got a boner...

[schillingouttheks]

You know what's crazy to think about? Of all of ARod's 3 teams...every single one of them has been better before him than they were with him.

 

And the Yankees will be the first team to be worse off without him.

 

I just got a boner...

 

Seriously. That lineup is f***ing ridiculous.

[ORS]

dont you mean "if" he opts out?

 

I have a feeling Boras is going to use the opt out deadline like he used DiceK's deadline to go back to Japan. See how far he can push, but I dont think he will get a better deal than here. I dont see any other team throw around 30+ mil a season until he is nearly 40. That makes no sense.

But his deadline with Matsuzaka didn't have a pot of gold at the end the rainbow. If that deadline passed, Matsuzaka turned into a pumpkin and wouldn't be a free agent for two more years. Sure, the Lions could have posted him again, but why would they let him after he took their lottery ticket away? With ARod, the deadline holds several different suitors. I don't think there's any way Boras lets that opportunity pass up, and I don't think ARod is so fond of NY to go against his agent.

 

I agree, when you throw in the Texas money, nobody will approach the Yankees in terms of AAV. I also tend to think there are more than a couple of teams that will go for a longer contract than what the Yankees will extend him for. If it's money, the winner will be total amount, not the AAV winner, because it's guaranteed money and the possibility of an injury exists.

[ORS]

I can't believe you guys would hit him 5th if he came here. I love Papi, but ARod is the most complete hitter in baseball. He hits 3rd, Ortiz 4th, Manny 5th.

[yankees228]

You know what's crazy to think about? Of all of ARod's 3 teams...every single one of them has been better before him than they were with him.

 

Not the Mariners.

[HeadOfSoxNation]

I can't believe you guys would hit him 5th if he came here. I love Papi' date=' but ARod is the most complete hitter in baseball. He hits 3rd, Ortiz 4th, Manny 5th.[/quote']

 

I agree. The best hitter in your lineup bats 3rd, and, as crazy as it sounds, ARod hits circles around Manny and Ortiz now.

[HeadOfSoxNation]

Not the Mariners.

 

Yea they were...the Mariners took off after ARod was dealt. They never won more than 91 games in a season while he was there (and they only did that once, in his final season, 2000), and as soon as he left, they won 116, 93, 93...granted it tailed off to where they're at now, but the immediate impact after his departure is hard to argue with.

 

EDIT: I just re-read what I wrote...I said "before they had him" rather than "without him", my bad. Still though, since he became a superstar, the two teams that got him were better before, and when he was a hotshot young ballplayer, the team that dealt him improved after he departed.

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

I can't believe you guys would hit him 5th if he came here. I love Papi' date=' but ARod is the most complete hitter in baseball. He hits 3rd, Ortiz 4th, Manny 5th.[/quote']

 

I was waiting for someone to mention it.

 

1. Jacoby Ellsbury

2. Dustin Pedroia

3. Alex Rodriguez

4. David Ortiz

5. Manny Ramirez

6. JD Drew

7. Kevin Youkilis

8. Jason Varitek

9. Julio Lugo

[HeadOfSoxNation]

I was waiting for someone to mention it.

 

1. Jacoby Ellsbury

2. Dustin Pedroia

3. Alex Rodriguez

4. David Ortiz

5. Manny Ramirez

6. JD Drew

7. Kevin Youkilis

8. Jason Varitek

9. Julio Lugo

 

I'd even make the argument to hit Youk ahead of Drew...unless you were doing this so you'd have a R, L, R, L, R, S scenario for late in games...

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

I'd even make the argument to hit Youk ahead of Drew...unless you were doing this so you'd have a R' date=' L, R, L, R, S scenario for late in games...[/quote']

 

Exactly...I like the R, L, R, L, S...etc etc.

[jacksonianmarch]

But his deadline with Matsuzaka didn't have a pot of gold at the end the rainbow. If that deadline passed, Matsuzaka turned into a pumpkin and wouldn't be a free agent for two more years. Sure, the Lions could have posted him again, but why would they let him after he took their lottery ticket away? With ARod, the deadline holds several different suitors. I don't think there's any way Boras lets that opportunity pass up, and I don't think ARod is so fond of NY to go against his agent.

 

I agree, when you throw in the Texas money, nobody will approach the Yankees in terms of AAV. I also tend to think there are more than a couple of teams that will go for a longer contract than what the Yankees will extend him for. If it's money, the winner will be total amount, not the AAV winner, because it's guaranteed money and the possibility of an injury exists.

 

If Steinny gave the edict like many people are "reporting", then we will offer him top AAV and then match the yrs he wants. If this is just Cashman protecting his lineup, then you may be right. I have a feeling Steinny will fire Cashman if ARod opts out and gets a better deal than the one we were offering.

[DrewDaGreat]

I was waiting for someone to mention it.

 

1. Jacoby Ellsbury

2. Dustin Pedroia

3. Alex Rodriguez

4. David Ortiz

5. Manny Ramirez

6. JD Drew

7. Kevin Youkilis

8. Jason Varitek

9. Julio Lugo

 

How could anyone not be creaming over this lineup?

[example1]

First of all, do people ever sit around imagining what this 07 team would be like had we traded for A-Rod a few years ago? Can you imagine a 3-4-5 of 2007 A-Rod, Ortiz, and Magglio? Yum...

 

I am rarely influenced to believe such things, but just reading these articles and the public nature of these statements and quotes, I can't help but think that this is one time where the Red Sox are legitimately just trying to drive up the bidding for the Yankees. They trust that the Yankees will put forth an offer that blows every other team out of the water because they have to. Alex Rodriguez has the Yankees absolutely by the balls. BY. THE. BALLS.

 

Yankees fans were horrible to him for his first few years. He was under so much pressure, largely caused by the media and crazy Yankees fans who think that championships and success grow on trees. He was analyzed because he saw a therapist, and he was critiqued for not carrying his weight when he hit 35 HR and 120 RBI. They love him now because he's one of about 2 players on the team who keep them from being wholly embarassed by their home town club (with the 200m+ payroll).

 

I would love to have A-Rod on the Sox, but it just doesn't seem plausible. It is in the Yankees absolute best interest to keep him from the Sox. The only way they can do that is by signing him, and the Sox are going to remind them over and over about that. My estimation: the Sox will uncharacteristically be public about their desire to land A-Rod; the Matsuzaka acquisition and the prior A-Rod near-deal have given them clout enough to make other teams flinch. The Yankees have that clout too, obviously, so it is always an interesting game of chicken between the Red Sox and yankees when it comes to things like this. In this case, it is true that the Sox have enough money to buy A-Rod, but I am doubtful that he would want to play in Boston or that the Sox would spend 30 million dollars on any player. With as hard as they have tried to get out from under Manny's contract in recent years, they would be paying another 60% or so for a player who isn't going to produce that much more than 03-06 Manny.

 

Add to that the existence of Lugo's sizeable contract (and the fact that the Sox will have to pay someone to take that on) and suddenly the Sox can't even use A-Rod at his most valuable position. The SS position is the only thing--in my view--that bumps his value up from a mid 20 million deal to a 30+ million dollar deal. If there were other options--like Miguel Cabrera, say--A-Rod at 30+ would be unthinkable. The Sox will explore those other options while barking loudly about how hard they will push to get him should he become a free-agent.

[Teddyballgame10]

You know what's crazy to think about? Of all of ARod's 3 teams...every single one of them has been better before him than they were with him.

 

Thats very true. SOTKs sorry but im one of those people. Yes A-Rod is having a monster year but his team is losing and we all seem to forget in July about October. I do not want someone who is going to fall apart during the playoffs. Its usless. Use the money on suring up the bullpen and another starter. You can never have to much pitching. A-Rod is also not a typical Red Sox player, he wouldnt fit in, in the clubhouse with all the garbage that comes along with him and his attitude.