Yanks talking to A-Rod; Boras not part of dialogue

by JRPhillips on Nov 14, 2007 2:18 PM PST Comment 41 comments

I don't know how to post links, so I'll do it the old fashioned way:

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3109894

The gist of it is, ARod is talking to the Yankees about a contract, leaving Boras out of the negotiations. It seems to me like the perfect way to actually gain leverage, but also it acknowledges the fact that very few teams have the financial resources of the Yankees (or claim to; let's not nitpick, please). So if he negotiates with them, he'll likely get more than he can elsewhere, OR it might encourage other suitors to pay out the nose for him. No matter what, it's a savvy move for a bigger payday.

Personally, I hope he goes back to the Yankees. I used to hate them so much, but they've kind of become a bit irrelevant since 2000. Now my non-Dodgers hatred is directed towards the Red Sox and their most obnoxious fans. If ARod breaks the homer record, I'd rather he do it as a Yankee, for these reasons:

1. They have such a deep history (unlike, say, the Marlins)
b. He wouldn't be in a Dodger or Red Sox uni
- He wouldn't be consumming over 50% of the Giants payroll along with one (1) Barry Zito

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Bah

He's essentially screwed the Yanks, IMO. He opts out, they lose their subsidy from the Rangers, and now they will have to fork out the difference (at least). Don't fool yourself into thinking he'll take less than what he was projecting. Someone will pay him what Boras is asking for, it's a matter of who feels like they need him the most and can somewhat handle the salary.

Also, as far as keeping Boras out of it for negotiations, won't he just go back to Boras and tell him the offer, and then they can play off that? I don't see how this situation keeps them from leveraging just because Boras isn't in the room.

Giant Expectations

by UnleashTheGore on Nov 14, 2007 2:08 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Bah

Like I said, it's a savvy move on ARod's part. Pretty much a win for him, while the Yanks take it in the shorts. I agree, I think this is just a move to drive the price up.

"He called the sh** POOP!" -- Adam Sandler

by JRPhillips on Nov 14, 2007 2:18 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Bah

the amount of money the 2 sides are discussing today is basically the same as it was when the 2 sides were discussing an extension after the season ended. But now, A-Rod has opted out and cost the Yanks a lot of money and they'll want him to discount that. Plus, there was no market for the 12/$360M deal that Boras was pushing.

Bonds stands alone.

by nostocksjustbonds on Nov 15, 2007 11:23 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Bah

Could you imagine if some sucker team was REALLY willing to pay him that much money for twelve frickin' years? With all due respect to anyone who thinks the Giants should have gotten ARod no matter what the cost, that would have been a crazy, idiotic move!

"He called the sh** POOP!" -- Adam Sandler

by JRPhillips on Nov 15, 2007 12:42 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Bah

"Don't fool yourself into thinking he'll take less than what he was projecting."

He'll take whatevers being offered. It might be in the range that Boras, projected, but it might not. I'm guessing it'll be at the lower end of what was projected ($30M/year-ish.)

This smells a little like desperation from Camp Arod. I wonder if the offers aren't flowing in like Boras told ARod they would.

See Barack Obama at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium Nov. 14th! Visit https://donate.barackobama.com/sanfran for details.

by Goofus on Nov 14, 2007 2:47 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Bah

I'll have to respectfully disagree. Once the free agent market thins out and teams like the Dodgers or Angels don't upgrade much, I think they'll be willing to dish out the dough.

Giant Expectations

by UnleashTheGore on Nov 14, 2007 2:50 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Bah

I'm glad you're addressing me with the respect I so richly deserve! :-)

You may be right, we'll have to see.

If the final price ends up being somewhere between 25-30M per year (for not too many years), I'll be pizzed if the Giants sat on the sidelines.

See Barack Obama at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium Nov. 14th! Visit https://donate.barackobama.com/sanfran for details.

by Goofus on Nov 14, 2007 3:18 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Bah

Now that is something I'll agree with.

Giant Expectations

by UnleashTheGore on Nov 14, 2007 3:28 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Yanks talking to A-Rod; Boras not part of dial

My take on it is that even though Boras isn't in the room(s) with them, he'll still have an influence. It's not like Rodriguez will make a decision without consulting Boras. Boras probably told him to go ahead and do it, as Boras's cut could potentially be bigger.

by sfgfan on Nov 14, 2007 2:31 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Yanks talking to A-Rod

I'm not sure how this is seen as other than Arod telling Boras to shut the fuck up and crawling back to the Yankees with his tail between his legs.

Fairley odd parent to Wendell...

by Mark carry on on Nov 14, 2007 3:17 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Yanks talking to A-Rod

I agree. Boras may have overreached in these negotiations. I wonder whether this affects his ability to represent other players in the future. Clubs might start treating him like he's toxic.

Lon Simmons' adopted dad.

by Kitspool on Nov 14, 2007 3:34 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Yanks talking to A-Rod

I don't think there's any doubt that the market for ARod is not what he thought it would be. Especially with the LA teams (supposedly) in on Cabrerra.
I don't think there's any way that another team will pay him what the Yanks will even with a pay cut.

Fairley odd parent to Wendell...

by Mark carry on on Nov 14, 2007 4:54 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Yanks talking to A-Rod

But he's crawling with his tail between his legs to the team that's always used to drive up the price at the negotiating table.

While it may be seen as a maneuver to stay where he wants to be, or crawling with his tail between his legs, he's also trying to stay in a situation where the lights shine too brightly and even the best player in the game is scrutinized by his own fans far more harshly than anywhere else. It's possible he just wants to remain a Yank, but it's never seemed like an ideal situation for someone like ARod.

Still, I'd rather he remain a Yankee than break Bonds' record as a Dodger.

"He called the sh** POOP!" -- Adam Sandler

by JRPhillips on Nov 14, 2007 3:46 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Yanks talking to A-Rod; Boras not part of dial

I'm calling BS on this. After two days of free agency, it's far far too soon for the kind of panic that this move would imply.

by Skaldheim on Nov 14, 2007 3:33 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

ARod and Jeter sitting in a tree

ARods already poor image took another hard hit when he opted out. He needs to improve his image and by returning to NYY at a still ungodly amount of money (close to what NYY originally offered) is one way to do this.

by wilriv21 on Nov 14, 2007 3:34 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Slimy Boras in the background for now

A little groveling by A-Rod (for his chum Boras) is actually going to make both a lot more money.

Boras doesn't want to set a bad precedent by talking directly right now with the Steinbrenners -- not after Boras' phony late-season ultimatum (10 years and $350 million as a starting point for negotiations).

That strategem flopped, and since the self-serving free agent announcement during the World Series, suitors have not lined up at the gates of A-Fraud's winter palace.

But A-Rod and Boras need merely zero in on a pair of ripe kumquats they can shop offers back and forth to. So, along with always-eager Arte Moreno, the dorky new Yankee brass has in effect made it TWO teams officially interested in A-Rod.

Last I checked, that's all you need for what Boras has in mind: an old-fashioned auction.

(The new kind of auction was demonstrated last year when Boras convinced an outwitted Brian Sabean he was bidding against other teams for Zito. In actuality, Sabean was sitting alone with his teddy bear in the auction booth during the last two or three rounds of Zito price hikes.)

by Moggeee on Nov 14, 2007 3:52 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Yanks talking to A-Rod; Boras not part of dial

The Yankees aren't dumb. The longer negotiations with A-Rod drag out, the more leverage it gives him in the negotiations. There's a window within which the Yankees have to get this done, or else it turns into a bidding war (assuming there are interested clubs). By next week, A-Rod could have other suitors willing to cough up the money now that know the Yankees are in the picture.

This does bode well on two fronts.

Sabes can't destroy the Giants' future by signing A-Rod.
The Dodgers are going to feel a world of pressure to trade for Miguel Cabrera. Bill Plashcke and the crew will pile it on the McCourts and Colletti. Get some popcorn and watch them mortgage their future.

by Nathan on Nov 14, 2007 3:56 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Yanks talking to A-Rod; Boras not part of dial

Stop selling Sabes short!!!!!!!! He can leap tall buildings in a single bound! He can eat lightning and crap thunder!

He can too mortgage the Ginats futures.

All those Giants fans down in Giants land love that Crazy Crab!

by BlackDougal on Nov 14, 2007 5:28 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

B.S.

I am going to join the crowd that's calling B.S.

Apparently, A-Rod has made an official statement confirming this.
Doing this without first firing Boras would be a breach of contract.

If this were legit, A-Rod would not be setting himself to be sued by his agent.

by Scottsdale on Nov 14, 2007 4:01 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Re: B.S.

In other words: Leverage. I take it that's what you're saying?

Because that's how I'm reading this. Boras is a smart dude, he knows how to play this game. And honestly, nobody gives a player better leverage than the Yankees.

"He called the sh** POOP!" -- Adam Sandler

by JRPhillips on Nov 14, 2007 4:07 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: B.S.

They might have talked it over and Boras gave his blessing. (Better than getting fired and losing your cut on what will be the new biggest contract in baseball history.)

See Barack Obama at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium Nov. 14th! Visit https://donate.barackobama.com/sanfran for details.

by Goofus on Nov 14, 2007 4:07 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: B.S.

Or Boras actually suggested it.

All those Giants fans down in Giants land love that Crazy Crab!

by BlackDougal on Nov 14, 2007 5:26 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Then there is this angle

What if the ARod suitors thought the NYY would re-enter negotiations with ARod at the very last second and re-sign him? This way there is no doubt that the NYY will not sign him and then the suitors feel like he will not run back to NY with their offers thus creating a real demand and more serious suitors for PayRod.

by wilriv21 on Nov 14, 2007 4:06 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Yanks talking to A-Rod

I wish the Steinbrenners would actually live up to their word. All of this talk about where A-rod might go, and it turns out he's going right back to the Yankees. That's alright, though. That spares me the anger that would have been had we not signed him. I guess we'll just have to obtain an unproven 3B prospect.

by boonitez on Nov 14, 2007 6:22 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Yanks talking to A-Rod

as long as it's not douche-rod, I'm ok with that.

Fairley odd parent to Wendell...

by Mark carry on on Nov 14, 2007 6:42 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Yanks talking to A-Rod

from what I've heard, this is almost a done deal. The only explanation for this is that ARod just decided he didn't want to leave the Yankees. As somebody already said, it's way too early for them to panic and assume they can't make more money.

BRING ME ALEX RODRIGUEZ!!

by rxmeister on Nov 14, 2007 6:42 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Yanks talking to A-Rod; Boras not part of dial

my friend in NJ who is a huge yankee fan says the radio there is reporting 10yr/280mil, and yeah, says they're saying it's almost a done deal.

Fairley odd parent to Wendell...

by Mark carry on on Nov 14, 2007 7:00 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Yanks talking to A-Rod; Boras not part of dial

I see now that that figure is up on MLBTraderumors also...

Fairley odd parent to Wendell...

by Mark carry on on Nov 14, 2007 7:07 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Yanks talking to A-Rod

and now they STILL want Mike Lowell!! They want to steal him away from the Red Sox by bringing him in to play first base. They're starting to look like their payroll will go up to 300 million.

BRING ME ALEX RODRIGUEZ!!

by rxmeister on Nov 14, 2007 7:34 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Yanks talking to A-Rod; Boras not part of dial

So this seals the deal that we get Andruw Jones?

by xanthan on Nov 14, 2007 8:14 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

now batting fourth for YOUR SF Giants...........

by wilriv21 on Nov 14, 2007 9:31 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Randy Winn!

Brian Anderson: I can has spot in Fresno 'pen?

by Anticon23 on Nov 15, 2007 8:03 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

This is music to the Florida Marlins ears

by wilriv21 on Nov 14, 2007 9:33 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Yanks talking to A-Rod; Boras not part of dial

Buster Olney is reporting 10yr/$220mil.

A PAYCUT!

Fairley odd parent to Wendell...

by Mark carry on on Nov 15, 2007 12:26 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Yanks talking to A-Rod; Boras not part of dial

I heard 10/270 on late night KNBR driving home.

Dave Righetti: You Know You Want It. / Also, my blog. For writers.

by howtheyscored on Nov 15, 2007 1:15 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

easy to confuse

give or take $50M

by wilriv21 on Nov 15, 2007 1:20 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: easy to confuse

I mean, really, what's a measly $5 million a year between friends?

I mean, between confidantes, sure, that's a hell of a lot of money. But between friends? Nothing.

Wait... am I thinking friends or Friends...? Definitely one of the two.

Dave Righetti: You Know You Want It. / Also, my blog. For writers.

by howtheyscored on Nov 15, 2007 1:48 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Yanks talking to A-Rod;

Just announced: 10 years, $275 million.

See Barack Obama at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium Nov. 14th! Visit https://donate.barackobama.com/sanfran for details.

by Goofus on Nov 15, 2007 3:53 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

The Marlins are smiling

by wilriv21 on Nov 15, 2007 3:56 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Yanks talking to A-Rod;

Nothing more disgusting than A-Rod's whole little "I went around my agent because I love this city/team so much. It's not about money." announcement. So he's such a great guy that he boldly steps around (but doesn't just fire) his agent to do something good for his team by "settling" for a mere $28 million/year to come back after pathetically opting out of his current outrageous deal during the World Series? Give me a goddamn break. 10 to 1 says that A-Rod himself had nothing to do with ANY aspect of these negotiations. He was probably on his private golf course when Boras called his cell phone to give him the news that he's going to be returning to the Yankees afterall, but he's going to need to say a couple things for the sake of PR (those fans need the illusion that the atheletes they're paying to watch actually care about what they're doing). A-Rod's reply was most likely something along the lines of "Yeah, sure, whatever. Now let me go. I'm only 4 over par this game."

by ololo3 on Nov 15, 2007 6:01 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Bonds helps A-Rod's Bank Account

A-Rod, 32, is getting this rich 10-year contract, in part, because Bonds stayed so productive into his 40's.

If A-Rod's career arc mirrors the normal superstar, he may only be "earning" his money for the next five years or so. With the chilled atmosphere brought on by the Bonds Saga, "Cheating father time" should be harder than ever, especially if MLB's testing for HGH and designer steroids begins soon, as predicted by the commissioner.

Steroids aside, let's remember it is fairly common that even a topnotch player can decline rapidly, starting at age 35.

Let us shed a tear, then, in anticipation that the Yankees have lavishly overspent once again.

by Moggeee on Nov 16, 2007 12:42 AM PST reply actions 0 recs