If A-Rod does opt out of his contract where do you think he will end up?

Answer 1

A-Rod has stated that he would like to stay, but it looks like greedy New Yorkers might get there wish 10 days when the WS ends. That's the time when the Yanks can work out an extenstion that can keep A-Rod for several years. Of course, the Rangers would like to take A-Rod off their book this offseason since there still paying part of his massive 250 million contract w/ the Yanks. If A-Rod opts out, the Rangers have no financial obligation and can pursue major FA like Torri Hunter or Andruw Jones. W/ Joe Torre about to get the boot anytime soon and Mariano Rivera possibly leaving, here are A-Rod options for 2008....

- Boston: They came close to getting him before the Yanks made a better offer to get him (Boston was offering Manny at that time but Soriano was Texas choice). Now with Mike Lowell possibly leaving via FA, now its the perfect time for Beantown to get more protection for Ramirez and Ortiz because Drew didn't get the job done. Boston is a little bit more forgiving than New York mostly because they were winning and the presence of A-Rod could erase that hatred in Beantown if they continue to win.

- L.A. Angels: Another ideal big market team that A-Rod would like to play because:
1) Owner Arturo (or Arte) Moreno is one of the most influential Latin owners around and he's not afraid to spend to get a better team. Thats how he got Guerrero and Cabrera to play here and could be the guy that gets A-Rod to SoCal.
2) The media scrutiny is not that big in the West as much as in the East, so A-Rod can at least have his peace.
3) Outside of Guerrero, there's not that much protection in the lineup and A-Rod could be that piece to winning another WS (that is if he doesn't falter in the playoffs again in the near future).
4) He could take his share of Disneyland as part of his contract...
well that last one was a joke, but kidding aside, the Angels needs to establish as the best in the AL and A-Rod could do that. However, GM Bill Stoneman is more of the conservative type of GM that doesn't splurge that often. Then again, he has been critizied for not getting a big hitter last offseason.

- Chicago Cubs: One of the team that was reported as the first suitors of A-Rod, they were willing to let him give part ownership as part of that deal, but active players can't be owners as define by MLB, so A-Rod will sign as a player. The curse has continue and long suffering Cubs fans wants immediate impact now. The only thing that blocking A-Rod from going to the Cubs is 1) the team is on sale (Mark Cuban might be a possibility as owner) and 2) A-Ram (as in Aramis Ramirez) is already playing 3B. For this to be possible, they have to put A-Ram on the block this offseason. However, A-Rod has been playing SS prior to his move to NY, so it's another possibility to keep both, but A-Rod hasn't play SS for 4 years, so it might be hard to ask the best player in the league to change position again. It's not easy but the Cubs need to win now.

- L.A. Dodgers: There fallout from Wild Card contender to fourth place in two years has left them needing a big hitter now in an offensive-hungry lineup. The Dodgers are still waiting for prospect Andy LaRoche to break out but frustrated Dodgers fans wants to win and win now. 1B James Loney and OF Matt Kemp could be the best 1-2 punch in the near future but A-Rod could take the pressure out from them. Like Stoneman, GM Ned Colletti was also criticized for not getting a big-time hitter last offseason and instead got Juan Pierre and Luis Gonzalez. Another roadblock is that agent Scott Boras has never had a good relationship w/ the Blue Crew and the fans (Kevin Brown was a $100 million waste, Darren Dreifort was a $55 million waste, he force them to give up Eric Gagne and J.D. Drew, and don't get me started on Chan Ho Park). His only client wearing Dodger blue, Derek Lowe, is about to leave by the end of the 2008 season. Unless Boras patch things up with the Dodgers, it seems to be a long shot.

- San Francisco and Philadelphia could be major darkhorse for A-Rod. The departure of Bonds leave the bay area with nothing to root for, so A-Rod could be the new star attraction if they allow to happen (then again, they had to deal with Bonds). Phillies could have the best offensive infield in baseball that already includes Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, and Jimmy Rollins.

Boras has been one of baseball biggest jerks, upping his players value more than expected, which leave some teams dissatisfied with his method. However, his clients are one of the best in baseball, so there's no denying that teams need those players and Boras control the economics of baseball, even if we don't like it. Not many teams can afford to spend $300 million for the next 10 years but he's one of those rare talents that can't be denied and could break Bonds HR record faster (if he doesn't get injured at that span). Whoever wins this sweepstake, there going to pay big time for the next decade.

Answer 2

It seems like the consensus with NY fans is he has to stay so he can win a WS championship...it ain't happening in NY at least not with the 4 years he's given them and probably not for a long time coming. Plus, since when has Scott Boras cared about A-ROD winning a championship when he negotiated a deal?? If that was the case why would he have signed w/ TEXAS?

Wake up, he is going where the money is and that is not going to be NY, at least for him. They have already publicly said if he opts out they will not negotiate with him. For a team that is SUPER concerned with it's image in the media if they go back on that all bets are off. That's also why Joe Torre is definitely gone too.

Answer 3

Whoever can afford him. So: Angels, Dodgers, Mets, White Sox, Red Sox, Cubs, or Giants.

My best bet would be the Giants. I think this team will build themselves around ARod for the future.

I would also not put it past the Cubs to get ARod. They did spend that much on Soriano, but of course, that would mean Aramis Ramirez would be gone. White Sox have a developing 3rd baseman in Josh Fields, but thier SS Juan Uribe is very error prone and hits about .260 or worse every year. If ARod came thier way, I dont see Ken Williams passing him up. ARod would love Chicago, especially the south side. Diverse ethnic culture, great fans (when youre winning), great ballpark (understatement) and a team that has the talent to win it all, but was horribly underacheiving this year.

Answer 4

If Mark Cuban can quickly close a deal for the Cubs, he will make a splash by signing him......A-Rod's options are not great due to the cash he makes, but the Giants are freeing up a lot of cash with Barry leaving and he would look real good in the Angels lineup.

Answer 5

The Royals. Thats funny. I'd take him here in KC in a heartbeat, but there's no chance in hell he'll be wearing Royal blue at any point in his career. It's a really short list of teams that would be able to afford him. I personally think he goes back to the west coast if he opts out, which means we'll see him in a Dodgers or Angels uniform.

Answer 6

arods staying with the yankees
he needs to if he wants the money and the attention from ny fans the best fans in the world
any other team would use almost half their payroll to pay for him, the yankees can afford him and other all stars
but if he was stupid enough to opt out cuz of his agent, hed probaby go to the angels or cubs

Answer 7

First of all...if A-rod winds up wth the Cubs, he'll go back to playing SS, and Ryan Theriot will move to 2nd base. The Cubs will not get rid of Aramis Rameriez when they can simply put A-rod back where he belongs.

Answer 8

People are going to think I'm crazy but Cincinatti Reds. The reds would give up Griffey to the yanks with maybe Dunn so griffey could DH, since giambi is done & bonds couldn't handle NY, with the short left field porch for both dunn and griffey, cincinatti dumps a lot of money on those 2 but gets a lot with AROD but with AROD in cincinatti, its a hitters ball park and it would bring the fans back there as well.

Answer 9

The Angels

if he opts out the Yankees wouldn't want him.

Answer 10

I don't think he will leave, even though I want him to, but let's face it he wants upwards of 40 million a year for 10 years, so the only teams that can afford that much are the Yanks, Mets, Boston, White Sox, Cubs, Angels, Dodgers

Answer 11

Chicago Cubs.