I thought I was done talking and writing about A-Rod. I guess not.
There have been rumblings for a few days that Alex Rodriguez has been devastated by all the bad publicity he's received since opting out and by the realization that the Yankees weren't bluffing, that they really were going to stay out of the bidding once he hit the open market.
This isn't about A-Rod not finding the money he wants out there. It's way too early to determine what dollar values are out there. It's not hard to imagine the Dodgers or Angels giving A-Rod a bundle of money, even if it isn't $350 million. Whether or not that money is out there is not the story here.
The story is that Alex Rodriguez may have finally found out what he wants to be. Its been assumed all this time that he just wants to be the highest paid player regardless of whether the money was coming from Texas, New York, or Mars. He's even said many times how "proud" he is of the contract he signed after the 2000 season, despite the bulls-eye it has placed on his back. It's a strange choice of words. You can be proud of many things, but a piece of paper that makes you one of the most hated men in sports doesn't seem like it should fit into that category.
Alex left Seattle, left Texas, and at least for a time has left New York…all in the name of getting more money. And now A-Rod appears to be taking control of his career and his image for the first time.
Alex Rodriguez was on his way to becoming the first player ever to enter the Hall of Fame with a dollar sign on his cap. All his ties to the Yankees were gone. No retired number, no plaque in Monument Park, no Yankeeography. Alex Rodriguez was going to be the greatest player in the game without a home to speak of. And now he's trying to fix that. I wonder if Alex has gotten the message, that he has enough money and now is the time to worry about his legacy.
From his perspective, it's hard to argue that Scott Boras is the man who's given him this life. Alex grew up as a poor kid in Miami and Boras changed all that, from his first pro contract after being drafted by Seattle to his landmark $252 million with Texas. Alex never really wanted to be in Texas, that much was clear. When he signed that contract, he was 25 years old and single. If Scott Boras told me when I was 25 that he was going to get me more than $200 million I can tell you I would have sat back and let him do his magic. I don't think any one of us would do otherwise. But now A-Rod is 32 with a wife and family and the decisions are no longer about just him. If he doesn't land in the place he wants to be then he has nobody to blame but himself.
Scott Boras has taken care of him all this time and Alex has let him lead the way. And Alex has picked up the ball and run with it. He's painted himself as a businessman not a gamer. His talent is unquestioned. His work ethic is unchallenged. His heart is what has caused the most debate.
The next contract Alex signs will be largely responsible for determining his baseball legacy. Will he be the Hall of Famer without a home or will he be a Yankee? It's up to Alex this time. Where will his heart lead him?
Just like I've said all along…Jorge Posada signed first and Mariano Rivera hit free agency. Okay, actually that's the exact opposite of what I've been saying.
I'm actually quite surprised at how it's played out. I thought Rivera would sign first but it appears he's now the one shaking down the Yanks. The 3-year, $39 million offer wasn't nearly enough. That's escalated to 3-years, $45 million and even that might not be enough. Rivera is said to be seeking at least $50 million for 3 years, perhaps even $60 million over 4 years.
The Yankees blinked on Posada because they knew the market had a 4-year offer out there for him, the Mets ready to pounce just like they did with Pedro Martinez three years ago. The market for Rivera, oddly enough, hasn't taken shape. Maybe nobody believes he's actually going to leave the Yankees. I know I don't. Rivera has made his home in Westchester County and is the very definition of what fans like to call True Yankees.
Okay, so if Mariano Rivera is just holding out for more money is anybody going to blame him? Rivera is more responsible than any other Yankee for their run of success, the four World Championships in five years from 1996-2000. Rivera's sheer dominance is so prolific, I would argue that he is the single most dominant and important Yankee since Babe Ruth. Ruth made the Yankees brand name in the 1920's, the tradition carried on from Gehrig to DiMaggio to Mantle. It was Rivera who made the Yankees invincible in the late '90s, turning them back into a dynasty…a billion dollar dynasty.
Rivera is still one of premier closers in the game, just not the best. But he's still better than most. He may walk the tightrope a little more often, but that's what life is like for nearly every other major league team. Maybe that's not worth $50 or $60 million. But there was a starting pitcher here last season who hauled in $18 million for half a season. Mike Mussina made more than $20 million in 2006 and Jason Giambi will make more than $20 million in 2008. For heaven's sake, Carl Pavano is making $10 million per season.
Mariano Rivera has been paid handsomely over the years, but there is a certain argument to be made that he has been underpaid over the years. Rivera's salary has been determined based on other closers. If we've learned anything over the years it's that Mariano Rivera is not like any other closer anywhere. Maybe he will be grossly overpaid by some standards when he finally agrees to his new contract. But whatever he gets now, there can be no denying he has earned it. He is still one of the most important pieces of the puzzle as the Yankees try to get back to the Promised Land.
Some notes about people you really don't care about:
The Tigers asked about Kyle Farnsworth, but apparently thought better of it. The Yankees may be able to move him, but they still need arms for that bullpen, especially with young starters entering the rotation.
The Yankees would love to trade Carl Pavano, even if it means eating all $10 million left on his contract. Hurting their chances of getting any warm body in return is the item in the Post a few days ago reporting that the Yanks will consider releasing Pavano so they can clear space on the 40-man roster.
A note from a couple of months ago that I'd like to repeat incase you missed it: Carl Pavano has won 5 games in three years with the Yankees. Andy Pettitte won 6 games in August.
Thanks for reading. Send comments and questions to Yankees@wfan.com.
Go back to 1997, the year after the Yankees won their first World Series under Joe Torre, and two of the most talked about players were a couple of kids who were less than two years removed from their big league debuts in Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera.
Welcome to February. It may not feel like it outside, but spring is right around the corner. Pitchers and catchers are just two weeks away, and if that’s enough to warm you up right about now then try another pair of socks and some hot tea.
I can’t imagine I’ll ever have the privilege of covering a player like Hideki Matsui again. The word “unique” is thrown around too much, but this was indeed a unique experience, right from Day One.
A few thoughts heading out of Indianapolis: *Assume for a moment no Johnny Damon in the 2-hole. On days when Jorge Posada doesn’t catch and bat 5th, who’s the best option for the Yankees in the 5-hole behind Alex Rodriguez?
Andy Pettitte’s one-year renewals have worked out very well for the Yankees. After signing for the 2010 season for essentially he is now entering the final year of a 4-year, $54.25 million contract.
Yankee fans should be thankful Curtis Granderson’s OBP dipped down to .327 last season (from .361 and .365 the previous two years). The price the Yankees paid for Granderson wasn’t very high if you think about it.
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Alex left Seattle, left Texas, and at least for a time has left New York…all in the name of getting more money. And now A-Rod appears to be taking control of his career and his image for the first time.
