A-Rod leaves Yankees, loses $91 million, respect

“You stay classy Alex Rodriguez.” (c) Ron Burgandy (well, sort of, anyway)

So, I’m sitting there watching the Red Sox dismantle the Rockies in four straight games (that 8 day lay-off killed the Rockies, I don’t care what anyone says) and all of the sudden, Fox breaks in during the game with an important sports update. What is it? what could possibly be worth reporting during the ultimately final game of the World Series? Football? No, there wasn’t any football on TV. Basketball? They’re only in preseason, who cares? Hockey? hahahahaha! No folks, its Alex Rodriguez! He decided to opt out of his contract today! Here are the details from ESPN,

Rodriguez’s decision, announced by agent Scott Boras during Game 4 of the World Series, makes him eligible to become a free agent….

Boras said during a telephone interview that Rodriguez made his choice because he was uncertain whether Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada, and Andy Pettitte would return to the Yankees. “Alex’s decision was one based on not knowing what his closer, his catcher and one of his statured pitchers was going to do,” Boras said. “He really didn’t want to make any decisions until he knew what they were doing.”

So, to recap, Alex Rodriguez isn’t going back to the Yankees because he’s worried that the Yankees are, for all intents and purposes about to go into “rebuilding mode” and he, on the other hand, is trying to win a championship as soon as possible. Just for the sake of reference, let it be noted that only Rivera has said that he will be testing the free agent market. Posada and Pettitte have been mum on any contract negotiations, although the likelihood of a decision within the next 10 days is probably not likely (A-Rod had 10 days after the World Series ended to opt out of the contract with the Yankees).

A-Rod opting out of the contract wasn’t really a big deal, many bloggers have written about the possibility of A-Rod leaving the Yankees and how much money he might make when he’s gone. So, what was the problem tonight? Well, quite simply put, this move was CLASSLESS. Why go and try to interrupt the World Series? Especially with something like this…becoming a free agent. Don’t you want to look like a team player to prospective teams? or to potential sponsors? or for endorsements? Why try and show your bigger than the biggest game in your sport? Did A-Rod need the exposure or publicity? Was he not going to be the biggest story on sportscenter if he made this decision on Monday? or Tuesday? Even though it was unlikely, why not wait until the last possible day to see if you could make a more informed decision? The move simply baffles me. Honestly, the fact that you preempted a great pitching performance by Jon Lester, a cancer survivor who finished his chemotherapy only 9 months ago, just to tell me that you’re going to be a free agent? Well, that just makes you look like an ass.

But enough of “team A-Rod’s” poor decision making and “classy” moves. Let’s look at what A-Rod has lost, now that he’s opted out of his deal, and will (more than likely) become a free agent. The New York Daily News’ Mark Feinsand reports,

…an offer from the Yankees, which was going to be in the range of five years and $135 million-$140 million. That would have eclipsed the $25.2 million he made per year from the 10-year, $252 million contract he signed with Texas before the 2001 season.

A-Rod was set to earn $27 million in each of the next three years, but a clause built in the deal would have bumped it by $5 million in both 2009 and 2010, pushing the guaranteed money to $91 million.

Of course, with A-Rod set to probably make at least $30 million a year, he’s probably not that concerned with leaving $91 million on the table with the Yankees. The Angels and the Rangers are currently the leading A-Rod suitors (although you never know when the Mets, Red Sox, or Cubs may join the fray). Look for A-Rod’s new team to sign him to some sort of deal possibly approaching $300 million dollars. Seem like a lot of money? Well, if you ask Rodriguez’s agent, Scott Boras, A-Rod is definitely worth it.

ESPN: Agent: A-Rod opts out of contract with Yankees

New York Daily News: A-Rod’s A-Bomb: Opts out of Yankee contract

Sports Biz w/Darren Rovell: Scott Boras, Agent for A-Rod: Our Conversation

New York Daily News: The answer is simple: Alex Rodriguez to the Mets

Lookout Landing: Congratulations, Texas Rangers

Related -

Sports Business Digest: How much money is A-Rod going to make?

Sports Business Digest: Alex Rodriguez. Future owner of the Cubs

UPDATE: OCTOBER 29th. Major League Baseball is pissed…and a Scott Boras apology?

UPDATE: Now, with awesome Peter Gammons video, courtesy of the Big Lead

Category: Baseball