Ranking the likelihood of all 30 teams landing A-Rod in 2008...
27. Oakland Athletics
The Contenders.....
Why it makes sense: The Yankees have the most money. And if we know one thing about A-Rod and his agent Scott Boras, we know that in the end, it always boils down to dollars and cents. Remember, Rodriguez chose to go to Texas when he left Seattle, a place he had no desire to play and a place he was miserable for 3 seasons. If he wouldn't have asked for a king's ransom in the first place, and I say first place meaning "beginning" because the Rangers never approached first place while he was in Texas, he wouldn't be looking to play for his 4th MLB team and he wouldn't be compared to his $252 million contract every time he struck out in the ALDS. But I've digressed. Other reasons it makes sense for Alex to stay with the Yankees; 1) The Yanks are always the favorite to win the World Series and his resume would be incomplete without a ring (or without every even playing in the Fall Classic). 2) Being remembered as a Yankee great and having your number retired in Monument Park is almost as prestigious as being elected to the Hall of Fame - and that's coming from a Mets fan.
Why it won't happen: The most obvious reason A-Rod won't be returning to the Yankees is the organization's firm stance that they will not negotiate with him if he opts out. But don't completely count the Yankees out of being around during the 11th hour working out a record setting deal. The real reasons A-Rod probably won't return to New York are because it's always been a no-win situation for him with the fans and media. Even though he's going to win his 2nd MVP award in four years, the fans will always compare him to Derek Jeter when it comes to postseason success -and frankly, not too many Yankees this side of Mariano Rivera can win a pissing contest with Jeter when it comes to postseasons accomplishments. Rodgriguez knows the Yankees will never be his team with that Eddie Munstor look-a-like playing beside him at short. And from a media perspective, The New York tabloids blow up A-Rod's spot every time he's tanning in Central Park or meeting a stripper north of the border for a late night escapade. You think he wants to explain to his wife that "I'm in Love with a Stripper" is not just his favorite song but an apt soundtrack for his road-trips?
10. New York Mets
Why it won't happen: Rodriguez would still have to deal with the NY media and fans, not to mention chase the home run record in a pitcher's friendly ballpark. I also don't see him fitting in well with that clubhouse nor do I see the Mets ownership ponying up that kind of dough for a batter when what they really need is pitching. It would also be extremely difficult to move Carlos Delgado's $16 million salary for 2008.
9) Chicago White Sox
Why it makes sense: The White Sox have the fourth highest payroll in MLB behind the Yanks, Sox, and Mets. They're also a franchise rich in tradition, not a winning tradition, but tradition nonetheless, and play in a great sports market with an ideal media climate for Rodriguez: plenty of media to keep him relevant but not so much that he'll be crucified on a daily basis. The Chi Sox would also love to steal some of the attention away from their south side counterparts, the Cubs. And let's not forget, Comiskey is a great park to hit home runs in.
Why it won't happen: Maybe the Sox are in love with Joe Crede because I haven't heard any rumors about Rodriguez going to the American League Chicago team. I guess if A-Rod really wanted to play in the Windy City, he'd go to Wrigley Field with his boy Piniella.
Why it makes sense: Right now Boston is moving their foot closer and closer to the Yankee organization's throat. They've won 2 World Series titles in the last 4 years, they've won the AL East for the first time since 1995, and do not currently have a front office in the middle of a power change. If they really wanted to take their boot and start crushing the collective larynx's of the team with the pinstripes, signing the best all-around player off a 4 year stint with the Yankees would be an amazing first step (no pun intended). They obviously have the money, they have the cache, they have an amazingly friendly right handed hitters ballpark, and they have the protection in the lineup (Ortiz, Ramirez). I know Sox fans hate Rodriguez, but they must be salivating in the back of their minds over the possible 3-4-5 lineup spots of Ramirez, Ortiz, Rodriguez. Scary.
Why it won't happen: Current Red Sox 3rd baseman and World Series MVP Mike Lowell is enjoying hero status in New England as we speak. This is best illustrated by the chant of Red Sox fans at the end of World Seriers game 4 when they shouted emphatically "Don't Sign A-Rod." Plus, the Sox have won 2 WS titles without Rodriguez and should be even better next year as their young pitchers further develop (Buckholz, Lester, Dice-K), young position players make the next logical step (Pedroia, Ellsbury), and they make the necessary free agent signings. Don't forget the Sox have one of the most cohesive clubhouses in MLB and they don't need the finicky, image conscious A-Rod to make things awkward.
7) Philadelphia Phillies
Why it makes sense: Do you really think the Phils are satisfied with Abraham Nunez and Wes Helms at 3rd base? Adding A-Rod to the hot corner would make for the greatest hitting infield, maybe ever. Who could match Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, Alex Rodriguez and Carlos Ruiz?? As a Met fan, I just had to take a 10 minute break to collect myself. If Rodriguez hit in that lineup, in that ballpark, he would literally dwarf his 2007 statistics. He might hit 60 home runs by the end of August, and I'm not using hyperbole. With a lineup like that, the Phillies might win the National League every year for the next 8 years, even if their starting rotation was built around Byung-Hyun Kim, Brian Lawrence, Kaz Ishii, and Anthony Young.
Why it won't happen: Realistically, the Phillies are already loaded on offense and would prefer to upgrade their pitching staff. The Yankee that actually has the best chance of signing with the Phils is Mariano Rivera. He wouldn't be far from his home and New Rochelle restaurant, he'd have a chance to win every year, and he'd be reunited with his former bullpen mate Tom Gordon. Philadelphia could then move Brett Myers out of the closer role and have a nice 1-2 punch with him and Cole Hamels.
6) Chicago Cubs
Why it makes sense: A-Rod has privately expressed desire to be reunited with his first big league manager and current Cubs' skipper Lou Piniella. Cubs fans are also amongst the most accepting in all of baseball and their loyalty to their team is unmatched. If they still haven't given up on a franchise that hasn't won a World Series in 99 years, then they can surely deal with A-Rod going 3-21 in the 2008 NLCS. Other factors that shouldn't be overlooked include the Cub's ability to generate a tremendous amount of revenue each year therefore being able to splurge, if desired on another blockbuster free agent, they play in an incredible hitters park, and the prospect of adding A-Rod to the heart of a lineup that already includes Alfonso Soriano, Derek Lee, and Aramis Ramirez has NL Pennant written all over it.
Why it won't happen: As mentioned, the Cubs have a tremendously loyal fans. They could sell out Wrigley Field with a Bad New Bears Roster that doesn't even include that kid on the dirt bike. The Cubs do not need A-Rod to generate revenue. So spending upwards of $300 million will probably provide close to the same return on investment as it would with "Trying" Ryan Theriot at shortstop. The other factor is that the franchise is currently being sold, meaning the Tribune Company isn't going to make an enormous financial commitment without knowing who the next owner is going to be. If Mark Cuban buys the team before A-Rod signs with another club, the Cubs move up a few spots on the list.
5) Los Angeles Dodgers
Why it makes sense: Is there anybody in professional sports, save David Beckham and Hollywood Hogan, that is more cut out for Hollywood than A-Rod? And speaking of the Bechams, Rodriguez and his wife Cynthia are buddy-buddy with David and Posh Spice, both LA inhabitants. And from a Dodger standpoint, they're looking for a mega star, especially at shortstop, with Rafael Furcal struggling mightily in 2007.
Why it won't happen: It looks like Joe Torre is going to be the next manager of the Dodgers. I know Torre and A-Rod patched things up after Torre batted him 8th in the 2006 ALDS, but sometimes "the first cut is the deepest" - A-Rod is a huge Sheryl Crow fan, and he almost always lives his life by the literal definition of her lyrics. Other examples of A-Rod patterning his life after Sheryl Crow songs were: "I want to soak up the sun" which translated to the Central Park tanning incident AND not to be outdone, "All I want to do is have some fun" which is best illustrated by the Toronto stripper fiasco. Wait, doesn't Sherly Crow live in LA? Maybe the Dodgers should be #1 on the list?
*A little known fact about "The First Cut is the Deepest"; it was actually written and sung by Cat Stevens and also became a hit song for most notably Rod Stewart, among others.
4) Florida Marlins
Why it makes sense: I know what you’re thinking – The Florida Marlins?? They have the MLB’s 29th ranked payroll and have let almost every one of their free agents walk due to financial reasons. But the Marlins are a dark horse team to get in the A-Rod sweepstakes. For one, they have no players signed to long-term, big money contracts – in other words their money isn’t tied up in future investments. Second, the Marlins, who are desperate to relocate to a new stadium, can in theory guarantee a sell-out every night if Alex Rodriguez joins an already exciting young nucleus of players. Those attendance numbers wouldn’t just be a one year fix either. As A-Rod’s play inevitably begins to decline in the advanced stages of his contract, the crowds will still come out to the ballparks to watch him chase milestone after milestone. And by the time Rodriguez is in the latter stages of his career, Hanley Ramirez and Miguel Cabrera will be bona fide superstars – giving Rodriguez a realistic chance for that much coveted World Series ring. Frankly, that lineup would be scary with A-Rod in it for the next 10 years, and with increased revenues and a new ballpark in the Miami area, free agents would flock to play for the Marlins. Let’s not forget that A-Rod is also a Miami native who has contributed all kinds of cash to the University of Miami. And you know he’s a South Beach guy.
Why it won't happen: Well, it is the Florida Marlins and they've never really been known to make blockbuster signings. I’m also sure Scott Boras is skeptical of Florida’s wherewithal to actually get a new ballpark and market the team effectively throughout a football-crazy state. And if the Marlins don’t get the new ballpark, Rodriguez will be chasing Barry Bond’s home run record in arguably the worst stadium to hit home runs in, not to mention in front of 10,000 people each night. It would be a similar situation he had in Texas, only this time he'd be trying to hit the ball out of a football stadium rather than a Little League park.3) Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Why it makes sense: Most places you read will tell you that the Angels are the favorite to get in the A-Rod mix. It's been reported on numerous occasions that Angels owner Arte Moreno has expressed interest in signing Rodriguez - which is probably true because Boras wouldn't have made A-Rod opt out of his Yankee deal if he didn't have a definite team for him to go to. A-Rod is a great fit for the Angels for the same reasons he is good for the Dodgers PLUS he wouldn't have to change to the National League after playing his entire career in the AL. Also, the Angels get slightly less media coverage than the Dodgers so he would have less pressure but still have the ability to live the life of an LA celebrity. Don't underestimate him being keen on playing under a Latino owner as well. The Angels are also perennial playoff contenders, and would be that much more formidble with a Guerrero-Rodriguez 1-2 punch, that would rival Ortiz-Manny back east.
Why it won't happen: This may be a cop-out, but I think the Angels are too obvious of a choice. I have a feeling Boras is going to surprise us - let's face it, nothing is ever easy with A-Rod. Plus, if Rodriguez signs a record breaking deal, Guerrero is going to want a huge pay-day the next time his contract expires.
2) Detroit Tigers
Why it makes sense: Detroit is another rich team with a well-known history of making deals with Scott Boras clients – which for me, is the deciding factor in making Detroit the second most likely team to sign A-Rod. With the Tigers’ acquisition of shortstop Edgar Renteria, Rodriguez can either replace Brandon Inge at 3rd base or play shortstop and move Renteria to 3rd. Either way, adding A-Rod to a lineup that already consists of Magglio Ordonez, Curtis Granderson, Gary Sheffield, and Carlos Guillen, would make the Tigers the favorite in the AL in 2008 because they’d have amongst the most potent lineups in baseball to go along with a stable of talented young pitchers. This team may have been the best all-around team in baseball in 2007 until injuries decimated their lineup and bullpen. Alex Rodriguez plays 155+ game a year - Every year. Too bad he can't close instead of Todd Jones.
Why it won't happen: The Tigers would sign him but they're going to lose out in a bidding war to the next team on the list...
1) San Francisco Giants
Why it makes sense: The Giants just cut ties with Barry Bonds, the nation’s most hated athlete but San Francisco’s favorite son. A-Rod has quietly become the most polarizing figure in sports outside of Bonds and I think his popularity trend is on a down-swing, though his star-power is still so undeniable that he may very well be the most talked-about athlete in America. I was always an A-Rod guy because we share a birthday which gave me a natural reason to root for him, but even I’m starting to lose faith in both his motives and character. With A-Rod’s moral fiber now in question, San Francisco is the perfect spot for him to end his career. It’s a history-rich ball club, in a city desperately in need of a star big enough to replace Barry Bonds, that will be blind with it’s affection for A-Rod despite all of his personal shortcomings. And when his career begins to near its end, he will be a Bay Area hero. Think of what the last 4 years of his career will be like as he passes Giants legends the likes of Willie McCovey, Willie Mays, and Barry Bonds on the home run list.
It was impossible for Rodriguez to live up to that rather recently coined title“True Yankee." Fairly or unfairly, A-Rod would always be compared to Derek Jeter. No matter how gaudy his numbers were, Jeter would always be up on him by 4 in the rings department. If A-Rod brings a World Series title to San Francisco, he will secure his spot in Giants history, which needless to say is an illustrious history. If he doesn’t, neither did Bonds, so he’ll never face the same scrutiny he would as a Yankee, a franchise that measure success almost solely on post season achievements.
There's no question A-Rod will go to the Hall of Fame. But he should be able to be inducted wearing a hat he can wear with pride. If his career ended today, would any of the cities he played for want to claim him as their own? I think the Giants give him the best chance to do that.
The other deciding factor: Close your eyes, A-Rod would be perfect for that Giants uniform.
Why it won't happen: AT&T park is amongst the most difficult parks in the majors to hit home runs in, though that didn't stop Bonds. That's the only reason I can think of unless he explores other options...
Sleeper Pick - Orix Blue Waves
Why it makes sense: A-Rod signs a $1 billion deal with the Japanese team the Orix Blue Waves and attempts to break Japanese legend Sadaharu Oh's global home run record of 868. The media attention would be enormous, but the language barrier would prevent him from making disparaging remarks in a magazine about a Japanese shortstop with a history of winning championship rings.
Why it won't happen: A-Rod may decide to quit baseball altogether and join the circus.
