Sure we would have taken him as a FA. There are several teams that would be interested in him as a FA. If he signs with a team as a FA, presumably he would want to play for them, eliminating the attitude issue. Now that attitude issue is out there front and center, plus it will cost a team more than $ to get the unhappy prick, because the Yankees want to get a player(s) in return. The whole risk-reward analysis has been changed drastically. My opinion is that he stays with the Yankees in '07 or they have to give him away and eat a lot of salary to get an A level prospect. I think Cashman made a blunder here. If this was done solely to keep him from the Red Sox, I would suggest that Cashman put his efforts and cash to more constructive use for his team.