Where does A-Rod play next year?

[Brian]

He's officially winding down on another "choke", so where will he sign?

 

 

I think he'll get a new contract with the Yankees. I just can't think of anyone else that will be able to pay him what he'll want.

[anabiono]

i don't know...i have said all along...either alex wants a world championship or he just wants to make the money...

 

if he wants to win a championship, i think he is gone...and the price to have him might not be as much as predicted because he will probably be hand picking where he wants to go...boras be damned...

 

after the yankees crumbling again this year...things look bleak in yank-town U.S.A. for a while...

 

we will see...i will not be surprised if he opts out

[Post Count Padder]

I can see us, the Sox, and the Angels getting in the sweepstakes. Don't know who else wwould have the money to shell out or room for him (Mets are out unless they wanna move Reyes to 2B, which is doubtful).

[gwc2005]

Hard to say and he hit a HR in tonights game bringing his 2007 postseason batting avg. to .286. :o

 

Anyway I say it's between the Angels and the Yanks

Edited October 9, 2007 by gwc2005

[shnsajax]

I think if he opts out the Yankees let him go just out of spite and having to pay his entire contract when they have him for cheap.

[Post Count Padder]

I think if he opts out the Yankees let him go just out of spite and having to pay his entire contract when they have him for cheap.

As one of my Yankee friends sarcastically puts it: "I'm looking foward to Wilson Betemit at third base next year."

[E.J.]

And the countdown to opting out just started. I'm guessing the Red Sox pick him up.

[LuvChicagoSports]

ok I can only realistically see 4 potential places that A-Rod would end up playing. The first and probably most realistic would be him staying with the Yankees. I say that this is the most likely destination because Torre is going to get fired and the boss understands how much A-Rod means to the Yanks. If Alex leaves the Yankees, there is a VERY good chance they will not make the playoffs next season. Boston is a better team with better young players that should win the division next season if the Yankees were without their best hitter.

 

The next place that I could see A-rod going is Anaheim. This works because they have long been looking for another big time bat at 3rd base. Last offseason they were willing to give big time money to bring Aramis to town, but he chose to stay here. They will have to up the amount of money they would be willing to give in a contract, but they have the money needed to bring a player like A-Rod to town, and it might be appealing to him because it is much less high profile where he would be constantly scrutinized in the middle of an MVP caliber season.

 

Next option would be Boston. Nothing would send a message to New York that Boston is the team to beat more than taking away their star player in the middle of his prime. This would also one up New York taking away Damon because A-Rod is clearly a far superior players. The question would become which position would they want A-rod to play. Lowell had an excellent season but is not getting any younger. At SS they have Lugo who did not have a good season at all, but he did play far below his career averages which suggest he should at the very least rebound some next season.

 

The fourth team that potentially has a chance at Arod is the Cubbies. It's highly unlikely though that Hendry will be given the financial flexibility to bring a player like Arod into town in the midst of the sale of the team. That being said Boras knows the game well and took advantage of a new owner last time Arod was a free agent by getting the Rangers new owner to sign him to the record contract. New owners like to make a big splash when first taking over and nothing would set Chicago into a craze like signing Arod. He could get to move back to SS which I think he would like to do since it's his natural position and he still is athletic enough to play there. The other major positive the Cubs have in the favor is old man Lou. Arod has said on many occasions how much he loves Piniella and how much his career has been impacted by having played for him. It's highly unlikely but if the Cubs could get him it instantly turns them into the NL favorites.

[anabiono]

screw the red sox...that would be devastating if they get A-Rod...and i will be seriously pissed off having to listen to my best friend all of the sudden fall in love for the very player that he has degraded over years past...

 

 

no, no, no, no

 

 

 

listen...this is what we need to do...find out where Alex lives...organize a night party to put up posters all over his yard, or at the very least, the outer boundaries of his estate saying simply...

 

"Bleed Cubbie Blue Alex, Bleed Cubbie Blue."

 

it could work :P

[CubinNY]

And let the wild speculation begin.

 

I don't think he leaves the Bronx, but if Torree goes who knows.

[Brian]

Alex understands the situation with the Cubs ownership, but really wants to play for Lou Piniella again so he signs for 1 million dollars for 1 year till an extension can be negotiated when ownership is finalized....

 

 

:bluekoolaid: :lol:

[shnsajax]

The Torre Domino Effect: How many players will leave just because Torre is gone should it happen? Despite having the money available the Yankees won't have a prime FA market to reload like they have in the past.

[illiniguy]

screw the red sox...that would be devastating if they get A-Rod...and i will be seriously pissed off having to listen to my best friend all of the sudden fall in love for the very player that he has degraded over years past...

 

 

no, no, no, no

 

 

 

listen...this is what we need to do...find out where Alex lives...organize a night party to put up posters all over his yard, or at the very least, the outer boundaries of his estate saying simply...

 

"Bleed Cubbie Blue Alex, Bleed Cubbie Blue."

 

it could work :P

Oh yeah, that will work. Showing up at his house will do two things. Make him think we are creepy or desperate and will get you arrested.

[mdwilla]

huge market, wrigley field, Uncle Lou will allow Alex to be comfortable in his skin again. I honestly think the Cubs get in on this.

[gwc2005]

The Torre Domino Effect: How many players will leave just because Torre is gone should it happen? Despite having the money available the Yankees won't have a prime FA market to reload like they have in the past.

I say 0 players will leave b/c of Torre. As long as the Yanks pay these players a nice amount they don't care whose managing and besides the next mangager will probably be someone already in the organization or close to it.

[don_kessinger_was_good]

If A-Rod ONLY goes for the money, his options are a bid greater. Toronto and Baltimore could afford him, and both could desperately use him. Detroit could be a remote possibility (Domino's Pizza money). A return to Seattle?

 

In the NL, maybe Drayton wants to make a splash in revamping the Astros. Philly could afford him. Dodgers, yes. Shudder the thought, but maybe even St. Louis.

 

So I think it's a bit too early, even if/when A-Rod DOES opt out, to immediately say it's the Angels, Red Sox, Cubs or Mets. After all, if he wants to play on a winner, then all of the other teams above other than Houston, St. Louis and Baltimore were over .500 ballclubs.

 

My crystal ball says the Mets won't move Reyes to 2B for him. Boston will choose not to rock the boat and re-sign Lowell. Dodgers will go further along the youth movement track and give the job to LaRoche. Seattle won't be able to move Beltre, the losing ballclubs are nixed by A-Rod.

 

Best bets then: 1. Angels, 2. Cubs, 3. Philadelphia

[Rob]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned the Giants.

 

Sabean certainly seems to like picking up one legitimate superstar, and filling in with mediocre veterans. And the money coming off the books now that they've announced they wont bring back Bonds, coupled with the fact that the Pirates picked up all of Morris' contract, means that they will have enough cash to get in the bidding. And don't forget that the Giants don't really have an adequate SS or 3B.

[C.C.]

If A-Rod ONLY goes for the money, his options are a bid greater. Toronto and Baltimore could afford him, and both could desperately use him. Detroit could be a remote possibility (Domino's Pizza money). A return to Seattle?

 

In the NL, maybe Drayton wants to make a splash in revamping the Astros. Philly could afford him. Dodgers, yes. Shudder the thought, but maybe even St. Louis.

 

So I think it's a bit too early, even if/when A-Rod DOES opt out, to immediately say it's the Angels, Red Sox, Cubs or Mets. After all, if he wants to play on a winner, then all of the other teams above other than Houston, St. Louis and Baltimore were over .500 ballclubs.

 

My crystal ball says the Mets won't move Reyes to 2B for him. Boston will choose not to rock the boat and re-sign Lowell. Dodgers will go further along the youth movement track and give the job to LaRoche. Seattle won't be able to move Beltre, the losing ballclubs are nixed by A-Rod.

 

Best bets then: 1. Angels, 2. Cubs, 3. Philadelphia

 

Phils can't afford the money.

[rawaction]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned the Giants.

 

Sabean certainly seems to like picking up one legitimate superstar, and filling in with mediocre veterans. And the money coming off the books now that they've announced they wont bring back Bonds, coupled with the fact that the Pirates picked up all of Morris' contract, means that they will have enough cash to get in the bidding. And don't forget that the Giants don't really have an adequate SS or 3B.

 

I think the Giants are among the favorites. The White Sox will make a run at him too, I guess, though they just re-signed all of their last place team so may not be able to afford it.

 

If I had to rank a top 5, besides the Yankees: 1. Giants 2. Angels 3. Cubs 4. Boston 5. Mariners

[TruffleShuffle]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned the Giants.

 

Sabean certainly seems to like picking up one legitimate superstar, and filling in with mediocre veterans. And the money coming off the books now that they've announced they wont bring back Bonds, coupled with the fact that the Pirates picked up all of Morris' contract, means that they will have enough cash to get in the bidding. And don't forget that the Giants don't really have an adequate SS or 3B.

 

I think the Giants are among the favorites. The White Sox will make a run at him too, I guess, though they just re-signed all of their last place team so may not be able to afford it.

 

If I had to rank a top 5, besides the Yankees: 1. Giants 2. Angels 3. Cubs 4. Boston 5. Mariners

 

I don't see him going to the Giants.... that team is BAD, and a lot farther away from contending than one A-Rod. I don't think the Giants throwing an extra $5M per year at him will make him sign there - Lord knows he's got enough money right now. IMO, he will opt out of the contract and then re-sign with the Yankees at around $30M per year. They might not like him opting out, but they know as well as anybody that baseball is a business, and they're not going to let the best player in the game leave town unless they he's dead set on leaving.

[Backtobanks]

If A-Rod ONLY goes for the money, his options are a bid greater. Toronto and Baltimore could afford him, and both could desperately use him. Detroit could be a remote possibility (Domino's Pizza money). A return to Seattle?

 

In the NL, maybe Drayton wants to make a splash in revamping the Astros. Philly could afford him. Dodgers, yes. Shudder the thought, but maybe even St. Louis.

 

So I think it's a bit too early, even if/when A-Rod DOES opt out, to immediately say it's the Angels, Red Sox, Cubs or Mets. After all, if he wants to play on a winner, then all of the other teams above other than Houston, St. Louis and Baltimore were over .500 ballclubs.

 

My crystal ball says the Mets won't move Reyes to 2B for him. Boston will choose not to rock the boat and re-sign Lowell. Dodgers will go further along the youth movement track and give the job to LaRoche. Seattle won't be able to move Beltre, the losing ballclubs are nixed by A-Rod.

 

Best bets then: 1. Angels, 2. Cubs, 3. Philadelphia

 

I really think you have exaggerated the number of teams that can afford and are willing to pay ARod $30 million per year for 7-10 years. The Angels, Yankees, and Red Sox are the favorites with the Cubs and Dodgers further back. I think ARod wants a winning team in a major market (scratch Toronto, Seattle, Detroit, Baltimore, Houston). Teams like the White Sox and St. Louis don't have the money. The Giants are losers and I'm sure he doesn't want to deal with the fickle fans in Philadelphia.

[TruffleShuffle]

I really think you have exaggerated the number of teams that can afford and are willing to pay ARod $30 million per year for 7-10 years. The Angels, Yankees, and Red Sox are the favorites with the Cubs and Dodgers further back. I think ARod wants a winning team in a major market (scratch Toronto, Seattle, Detroit, Baltimore, Houston). Teams like the White Sox and St. Louis don't have the money. The Giants are losers and I'm sure he doesn't want to deal with the fickle fans in Philadelphia.

 

we're not fickle... we boo everybody

[CuseCubFan69]

Does anyone remember when ARod was a free agent and it was a "done deal" he was going to be a Met?

[nilodnayr]

If A-Rod ONLY goes for the money, his options are a bid greater. Toronto and Baltimore could afford him, and both could desperately use him. Detroit could be a remote possibility (Domino's Pizza money). A return to Seattle?

 

Little Caesars, not Dominos

[nilodnayr]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned the Giants.

 

Sabean certainly seems to like picking up one legitimate superstar, and filling in with mediocre veterans. And the money coming off the books now that they've announced they wont bring back Bonds, coupled with the fact that the Pirates picked up all of Morris' contract, means that they will have enough cash to get in the bidding. And don't forget that the Giants don't really have an adequate SS or 3B.

 

All true, but we are talking about Brian Sabean. Hes not going to make the smart move. I think he'll sign Andruw.