A-Rod talkin' like Mr. Cub

[Backtobanks]

I'd love for this to happen.

 

Izzy or ARod? Hike my ticket price $5 and give me ARod.

 

The Cubs will probably hike your ticket price $5 no matter who is playing SS next year.

[CuseCubFan69]

i know...just dreaming...geeze mr. buzzkill

 

I'm not trying to kill your buzz, just dreaming up realistic possibilities for getting ARod on board. I've been trying to think of ways to get him here since '99.

 

I just pictured you as JD on Scrubs going into a daydream at work thinking about this.

 

If Z is not going to sign a 3 year or more deal I'd still look into trading him to the Yanks for ARod before opening day as long as ARod agrees on a long term with the Cubs.

[goonys evil twin]

i know...just dreaming...geeze mr. buzzkill

 

I'm not trying to kill your buzz, just dreaming up realistic possibilities for getting ARod on board. I've been trying to think of ways to get him here since '99.

 

I just pictured you as JD on Scrubs going into a daydream at work thinking about this.

 

If Z is not going to sign a 3 year or more deal I'd still look into trading him to the Yanks for ARod before opening day as long as ARod agrees on a long term with the Cubs.

 

I'd probably do it with or without the agreement. Odds are once he's here, the Cubs can convince him to stay.

[CuseCubFan69]

i know...just dreaming...geeze mr. buzzkill

 

I'm not trying to kill your buzz, just dreaming up realistic possibilities for getting ARod on board. I've been trying to think of ways to get him here since '99.

 

I just pictured you as JD on Scrubs going into a daydream at work thinking about this.

 

If Z is not going to sign a 3 year or more deal I'd still look into trading him to the Yanks for ARod before opening day as long as ARod agrees on a long term with the Cubs.

 

I'd probably do it with or without the agreement. Odds are once he's here, the Cubs can convince him to stay.

 

If Prior and Guzman could step up this would be a no brainer. How many productive years do you think ARod has ahead of him?

[goonys evil twin]

If Prior and Guzman could step up this would be a no brainer. How many productive years do you think ARod has ahead of him?

 

He turns 32 this season, so age is definitely a concern. However, I think he would be fine at SS for another 2-3 years, and fairly productive with the bat for 5-6. His best years, with a 167 OPS+ probably won't return, but I could see him being a solid 135-140 OPS+ for quite a while. ARod's game is based on patience and power, two things that tend to last for quite a while.

[CubColtPacer]

If Prior and Guzman could step up this would be a no brainer. How many productive years do you think ARod has ahead of him?

 

He turns 32 this season, so age is definitely a concern. However, I think he would be fine at SS for another 2-3 years, and fairly productive with the bat for 5-6. His best years, with a 167 OPS+ probably won't return, but I could see him being a solid 135-140 OPS+ for quite a while. ARod's game is based on patience and power, two things that tend to last for quite a while.

 

Where do we move him after he's not ok at SS anymore? 1B? (I think he's only got 2 years at most right now at SS-I don't think he'd be good at it even if he played it now, and he will continue to slip as he gets older).

[rocket]

If Prior and Guzman could step up this would be a no brainer. How many productive years do you think ARod has ahead of him?

 

He turns 32 this season, so age is definitely a concern. However, I think he would be fine at SS for another 2-3 years, and fairly productive with the bat for 5-6. His best years, with a 167 OPS+ probably won't return, but I could see him being a solid 135-140 OPS+ for quite a while. ARod's game is based on patience and power, two things that tend to last for quite a while.

 

since he is that old, how long can he last at ss? aram already has 3B solidified, as does derrek lee at 1b if that's a possible position for arod. can arod play 2b?

[goonys evil twin]

If Prior and Guzman could step up this would be a no brainer. How many productive years do you think ARod has ahead of him?

 

He turns 32 this season, so age is definitely a concern. However, I think he would be fine at SS for another 2-3 years, and fairly productive with the bat for 5-6. His best years, with a 167 OPS+ probably won't return, but I could see him being a solid 135-140 OPS+ for quite a while. ARod's game is based on patience and power, two things that tend to last for quite a while.

 

since he is that old, how long can he last at ss? aram already has 3B solidified, as does derrek lee at 1b if that's a possible position for arod. can arod play 2b?

 

I wrote that I think he could play SS for 2-3 more years without defense hurting the team. Then I think he could slide over to 2B if that's where he's needed, although I think he's more than athletic enough to handle a move to 1B or LF.

[USSoccer]

So when Prior and Gooz pitch to their abilities, and Z doesn't agree to an extension by opening day, does this open up the Z and Izturis for ARod possibility?

[Abe Frohman]

I'm sure that A-Rod could adjust to LF or RF just fine if he couldn't handle SS anymore.

 

This is ridiculous talk folks - for A-Rod it is a nice media distraction to his uncomfortable situation in NY.

[goonys evil twin]

This is ridiculous talk folks - for A-Rod it is a nice media distraction to his uncomfortable situation in NY.

 

I don't think it's that ridiculous. He hates it in NY and NY hates him. People are saying the right thing, for now, but the Yankees would absolutely move him if they got value, and he'd absolutely accept a trade to the right situation.

[USSoccer]

This is ridiculous talk folks - for A-Rod it is a nice media distraction to his uncomfortable situation in NY.

 

I don't think it's that ridiculous. He hates it in NY and NY hates him. People are saying the right thing, for now, but the Yankees would absolutely move him if they got value, and he'd absolutely accept a trade to the right situation.

 

And the Cubs are one of the teams that could be "the right situation".

[CuseCubFan69]

This is ridiculous talk folks - for A-Rod it is a nice media distraction to his uncomfortable situation in NY.

 

I don't think it's that ridiculous. He hates it in NY and NY hates him. People are saying the right thing, for now, but the Yankees would absolutely move him if they got value, and he'd absolutely accept a trade to the right situation.

 

And the Cubs are one of the teams that could be "the right situation".

 

The thing that bothers me is what do the Yanks have to play 3rd?

[Amazing_Grace]

NY Daily News[/url]"]Speculation will mount Monday night (10 p.m.) when Rodriguez appears on HBO's "Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel." If you come away sensing the Yankees third baseman has the Windy City on his mind you will have plenty of company.

 

During a profile of new Cubs manager Lou Piniella, who managed Rodriguez for seven seasons in Seattle, A-Rod is interviewed by Frank Deford. While Deford never asks Rodriguez to compare Piniella to Joe Torre, it is abundantly clear the managerial qualities - and style - A-Rod enthusiastically attributes to Piniella are not subscribed to by the Yankees manager.

 

Rodriguez also tells Deford that Piniella "has been just like a father to me." During the piece, Piniella picks up a bat with the inscription: "To my second mom." The bat was sent by A-Rod to Piniella's wife, Anita.

 

Visions of Piniella wigging big on umpires, something Torre never does, still register positively with Rodriguez.

 

A-Rod has a serious look when he says: "But that type of passion went right on through us as players. For me it worked 100%."

 

For Rodriguez, Piniella is a man of radical contrasts. The sensitive side of Piniella, his ability to coddle players, also motivated him. A-Rod says during his rookie season in Seattle, Piniella blasted him for swinging wildly at a sequence of Dennis Eckersley sliders.

 

"I remember being 18, almost in tears," Rodriguez says. "... I just felt like, 'Get me back in my senior high school uniform.' Then sure enough (Piniella) gives me a big kiss on top of my head. He goes, 'Son, I love you. I love you. I just want you to do well.'

 

"From that day on," Rodriguez says, "for the next 12 years, he's been just like a father to me."

 

Most likely scenario is A-Rod opts out of his contract (I think he has an out at the end of this year) and signs as a FA with the Cubs.

 

There's no reason for A-Rod to do that though. It doesn't help him as, at his age, he's not likely to get a contract that matches the one he has now, and it doesn't help the Yankees as they'd get basically nothing for losing A-Rod (although they get out of his contract, though for them that's not a huge benefit). I think it's far more likely that he requests a trade and the Yankees happily oblige him. I think it's unlikely to happen this season because at this point, they'd have to pick up someone to play 3b, and I don't know of anyone readily available that would be of interest to the Yankees to fire up the 3-way trade discussions.

[mg420]

no thanks. he would cost way too much in both prospects and $ imo.

[Amazing_Grace]

With the Ramirez contract signed, the only way Arod becomes a Cub is if he can still play SS. So, the question arises, can he?

 

That's not necessarily true. I don't think anyone would blink if ARod were to replace DeRosa/Theriot at 2b.

[goonys evil twin]

There's no reason for A-Rod to do that though. It doesn't help him as, at his age, he's not likely to get a contract that matches the one he has now, and it doesn't help the Yankees as they'd get basically nothing for losing A-Rod (although they get out of his contract, though for them that's not a huge benefit). I think it's far more likely that he requests a trade and the Yankees happily oblige him. I think it's unlikely to happen this season because at this point, they'd have to pick up someone to play 3b, and I don't know of anyone readily available that would be of interest to the Yankees to fire up the 3-way trade discussions.

 

Well after 2007 he's owed 3/81. I think he could get a 5-6 year deal worth 100-120, so there would be value there. Plus, by opting out, he controls where he goes, as opposed to the Yankees controlling it.

[Amazing_Grace]

There's no reason for A-Rod to do that though. It doesn't help him as, at his age, he's not likely to get a contract that matches the one he has now, and it doesn't help the Yankees as they'd get basically nothing for losing A-Rod (although they get out of his contract, though for them that's not a huge benefit). I think it's far more likely that he requests a trade and the Yankees happily oblige him. I think it's unlikely to happen this season because at this point, they'd have to pick up someone to play 3b, and I don't know of anyone readily available that would be of interest to the Yankees to fire up the 3-way trade discussions.

 

Well after 2007 he's owed 3/81. I think he could get a 5-6 year deal worth 100-120, so there would be value there. Plus, by opting out, he controls where he goes, as opposed to the Yankees controlling it.

 

Wouldn't he have to waive his NTC to get traded to begin with, and couldn't he then say he wouldn't waive it to get traded to, say, the Royals. You may be right about the contract though. I doubt he'd get as much per season (27M is still insane even today) but he might be able to get more years for a greater total value. I don't see him getting over 20M per season again.

[goonys evil twin]

Wouldn't he have to waive his NTC to get traded to begin with, and couldn't he then say he wouldn't waive it to get traded to, say, the Royals. You may be right about the contract though. I doubt he'd get as much per season (27M is still insane even today) but he might be able to get more years for a greater total value. I don't see him getting over 20M per season again.

 

If ARod goes out and repeats one of his best seasons this year, I think he could surpass $20m. That kind of production dwarfs Soriano.

 

The no-trade clause will help him prevent a trade to a team he doesn't like. But it doesn't give him full control of where he wants to go. If he wants to go to the Cubs, but the Yankees don't want to trade him there, he's in a bind. Opting out gives him complete freedom.

[Abe Frohman]

This is ridiculous talk folks - for A-Rod it is a nice media distraction to his uncomfortable situation in NY.

 

I don't think it's that ridiculous. He hates it in NY and NY hates him. People are saying the right thing, for now, but the Yankees would absolutely move him if they got value, and he'd absolutely accept a trade to the right situation.

 

You're probably right, it's not ridiculous - but it's highly unlikely. With all the money the Cubs have invested in this team, is there more for a guy who deserves at least $18 million/year (with this market) when you consider that if all goes well, an additional $30 million/year will be invested in Zambrano/Prior?

 

I'm all for it if McDonough and Co. are really serious about spending whatever to give the best chance for the Cubs to win a WS, but that is Yankee money we are talking there.

[Amazing_Grace]

Wouldn't he have to waive his NTC to get traded to begin with, and couldn't he then say he wouldn't waive it to get traded to, say, the Royals. You may be right about the contract though. I doubt he'd get as much per season (27M is still insane even today) but he might be able to get more years for a greater total value. I don't see him getting over 20M per season again.

 

If ARod goes out and repeats one of his best seasons this year, I think he could surpass $20m. That kind of production dwarfs Soriano.

 

The no-trade clause will help him prevent a trade to a team he doesn't like. But it doesn't give him full control of where he wants to go. If he wants to go to the Cubs, but the Yankees don't want to trade him there, he's in a bind. Opting out gives him complete freedom.

 

That's true, but why would the Yankees not trade ARod to the Cubs, a team that's neither in the same league as them nor geographically close to them, when the alternative is to get nothing for him. I can imagine a scenario where ARod holds up the Yankees after this season by threatening to opt out at the last possible second, forcing the Yankees to do whatever trade they can just to avoid losing ARod for nothing. Now, if he doesn't opt out and then asks for the trade, he loses a lot of that leverage, and in that case, it would then come down to how badly the Yankees want to get rid of ARod, as I think they already do.

 

EDIT: Also, if he wants to come to the Cubs, he's not getting 20M. Our budget will be pressed as it is, and that would make things unbearable. His best chance to play here is to get a trade and have the Yankees eat some of the remaining 3 years of his contract (aren't the Rangers technically still paying some). A lot of this rests on the assumption ARod WANTS to play for the Cubs. If he really only cares about the money, then he opts out and immediately signs with Boston.

Edited March 2, 2007 by Amazing_Grace

[shnsajax]

How about an off-season with Cuban buying the Cubs and Arod signing through FA. Could you imagine what the Convention would be like next year should those things happen before it.

[goonys evil twin]

That's true, but why would the Yankees not trade ARod to the Cubs, a team that's neither in the same league as them nor geographically close to them, when the alternative is to get nothing for him.

 

Maybe they wouldn't be interested in what the Cubs are offering and would be interested in somebody else's offer. I was just pointing out that opting out of his deal gives ARod the biggest freedom, without too much of a risk of throwing away money.

[Amazing_Grace]

That's true, but why would the Yankees not trade ARod to the Cubs, a team that's neither in the same league as them nor geographically close to them, when the alternative is to get nothing for him.

 

Maybe they wouldn't be interested in what the Cubs are offering and would be interested in somebody else's offer. I was just pointing out that opting out of his deal gives ARod the biggest freedom, without too much of a risk of throwing away money.

 

That's true, but he'd have to take a discount to play for the Cubs. I can't imagine our budget could handle a 20M dollar player, not at least without trading one or more of Lee, Ramirez, Soriano, Marquis, Lilly and not re-upping Z. If he wants to play for the Cubs as this rumor suggests, his best shot to do so without giving up much cash is to get the Yanks to eat part of his remaining contract in some trade scenario. If he cares more about the money, he should opt out and sign with Boston, who would love the opportunity to pay back the Yanks for Clemens.

[David]

I'll take paying ARod the big bucks over paying Z the big bucks any day of the week and a zillion times on Sunday.

 

Just an idea.

 

Especially if Prior proves effective and healthy this year.