And this is precisely why ARod is unlikely to opt out. Since the Rangers are subsidizing a large share of the contract for the next 4 years ARod is going to get above-market money per year ($27M), while whichever team ARod is playing for will pay below-market rates per year ($16-$18M). And if that team is not the NYY, the Yankees stand to benefit much more from accomodating ARod with a trade (even if it's for 50 cents on the dollar) than risk having him opt out and get nothing. The best-case scenario for the Cubbies is that ARod and NYY come to a mutual decision to part ways at some point this year, ARod uses his NTC to dictate a trade to the Cubs, and NYY, having basically no leverage, accepts a modest return in the trade. If his #1 concern at this point is winning though, would it not benefit him more to opt out and not force the team that takes him to have to give up talent. The Yankees aren't going to accept only prospects, any ARod deal will have to include major league talent and that hurts any team ARod goes to. So, if he's comfortable with the way his bank account looks (like CarolinaCubFan said, I think) and primarily wants to go somewhere to win, the more logical move would be to opt out and not cost his new team any of their major league talent. Or what if the team he's going to needs to trade away some of their talent to make room for ARod's salary?