A-Rod opts out. What a shocker.

[rapuda]

As much as I like the way A-Rod played for the Yankees (except post season) I knew all along how greedy he was. I stated in previous posts that he's a proven liar and that him wanting to stay a Yankee was just another lie to the press. Well, by opting out he proved he didn't want to stay a Yankee. He's going to go to the highest bidder. He's saying money wasn't a factor. He didn't want to stay with the uncertainty of Posada, Rivera, and Pettitte. He'll even probably say Torre leaving had something to do with it. That's all BS. He left to get more $$$. I wouldn't be surprised to see him go to Boston, and have the Yankees pick up Lowell. If he does that I'll lose what little respect I have left in him. The Boston fans were brutal to him as a Yankee. Why would he go there other than for the $$$. I hope the Yankee organization sticks to their word and doesn't offer him a dime now. If he somehow stays a Yankee, I'll boo at him every at bat. I don't want him anymore. Let him go to Anaheim or L.A. It's time to get some younger players with heart and have fun again with the Yankees. I want Rivera and Posada to come back but only for a fair contract. If they get greedy like A-Rod then let them walk too. Only Pettitte should be pursued heavily.
I'll always remember A-Rod as a great player, but also as a greedy, no class player as well.

[rapuda]

Latest news. A-Rods agent told the Yankees they'd have to offer him at least 350 million in order to meet with him. Are you kidding me? That disgusts me more than the 2004 elections did. I can't believe A-Rod can't see what this is doing to his image. The man is a great player and will without a doubt be in the Hall of Fame. His greedy actions however are landing him in the Hall of Shame. Red Sox fans can't stand him, now Yankees fans can't stand him. Ranger fans don't want him and Mariner fans could care less about him. For the price he's asking who can afford him? Texas realized their mistake after the 252 million 10 year contract, and other teams took notice. Now he's asking for 350 million over 10 years? Nobody is worth that. A-Rod wants a World Series ring but he'll never get one if he continues to be so unreasonable with his salary. Any team that pays his asking price, won't be able to afford to do anything else.
I hope with all my heart his greediness backfires and he gets stuck with less money than what New York offered him with the extension. I hope he never gets a ring and he's booed everywhere he goes because he has no heart for the game. He only cares about the $$$$.

[rapuda]

Congratulations Red Sox fans for keeping your third baseman at a fair price. I respect Lowell for realizing he'd rather make less money playing for a team he wants to be a part of rather than make more money somewhere else that he may not be happy with.
That being said it's obvious A-Rod is more valuable than Lowell because he has more impressive offensive numbers. I believe A-Rod can be a good thing for the Yankees offensively if he plays to his abilities. He deserves to have a bigger contract than Lowell because he's a better player. He doesn't have more heart or a better character than Lowell does and he certainly will not provide chemistry for the Yankees. I have no respect for A-Rod anymore. He said he never wanted to leave the Yankees but yet he's taking a bigger contract. He's just lying again. He only came back because he realized he left a cash cow and regretted it. I also have no respect for the top brass in the organization. They said they wouldn't talk to A-Rod if he opted out, but did the first chance they got. They should've offered A-Rod the money he would've made had he not opted out. That would've been respectible for the brass and it would've proved to the fans that A-Rod made a mistake. A-Rod should also apologize to Yankee fans for how he handled this whole process.
I'm still a Yankees fan but must admit my loyalties are strained right now with the moves being made so far. I strongly believe signing A-Rod to a 10 year contract for 300 plus million is a mistake. I hope I'm wrong, but doubt it.
I think within 3 years the Yankees organization will regret this move. Don't be surprised to see lousy numbers from A-Rod next year now that he doesn't have a contract renewal to play for. I hope he does well because the team will benefit if he plays well. I won't cheer for him though and I'll never wear his number. He's not a team player, has no heart for the game and is as greedy as they come. He'll never be a true Yankee in my eyes unless he can prove he cares about the team more than he cares about himself.

[FJT]

It should take 3-5 years for the Yanks to come back strong with all the moves that Stonebreaker and his two sons have been doing.

[rapuda]

Latest news with A-Rod. Canseco says he introduced A-Rod to steroids.
It'll be interesting to see how this plays out for the Yankees this year. Although I don't believe A-Rod is on steroids now, I do believe A-Rod has done it in the past. Everybody called Canseco a liar when he put out "Juiced" and look how that played out. A-Rod has proven in the past that he's a liar and I think he'll lie again. Notice how he keeps avoiding the questions on this one? He already stated in a 60 minutes interview that he never used or was tempted to use steroids. Why not dispute Canseco now? Probably because there's something to what Canseco is saying. If I had to choose someone to believe between Canseco and A-Rod, Canseco wins. I think Canseco is waiting for A-Rod to hang himself with denials, and calling the book all lies. Then, Canseco will reveal more information that will add to his book and media attention. I'm not defending Canseco. I could care less about him. I just don't like A-Rod. Like Canseco said about A-Rod. He doesn't like how A-Rod makes himself out to be something that he isn't.
Once again, I hope A-Rod helps the Yankees, because I like the Yankees. But I don't like A-Rod. I thought it would take a few years before the Yanks would regret that 10 year deal. It may be within a year. Time will tell.

[gene36]

Arod smarod
I'm a Red Sox fan who still thinks A Rod is one of the great players of our time.
Lets watch the next few years to watch what he does befor we condem him.
GO SOX!!!!!

[jma]

"Great" players have class. A-Rod has none. Anyone who tries to b*t*ch-slap a ball out of Bronson Arroyo's mitt is far from a great player. Great players don't have to yell "mine" while running past the Blue Jays 3rd baseman (granted, a seasoned player wouldn't have fallen for that ploy, but still...) He may have some great numbers, but we'll eventually learn how much is contributed to chemicals.

GO SOX!!!!!!!!!!

[rapuda]

I agree A-Rod is one of the most talented players today. He's probably already done enough to make it into the Hall of Fame. I just don't like him.
As far as slapping at the ball, it was cheap, but he tried to make something happen. As much as I don't like how greedy he is, he seems to give it his best when he plays and I can respect that.
I'd like to be able to cheer for him as a person, but I can't get past his comments about Jeter and his new contract.
Hopefully his baggage doesn't hurt the Yankees. Hopefully he has awesome numbers this season and earns his salary by helping the team.
Hopefully the Yankees squash the Red Sox this year and make it past the first round of the play-offs.
Lets go YANKEES!

[rapuda]

Latest news with A-Rod. Canseco says he introduced A-Rod to steroids.
It'll be interesting to see how this plays out for the Yankees this year. Although I don't believe A-Rod is on steroids now, I do believe A-Rod has done it in the past.

Am I shocked that the truth came out about A-Rod? No way. I knew he took steroids, and I knew he was lying because he's a liar. I said before I didn't agree with the Yanks signing him and I'll say it again. He brings more baggage and distraction to the team then he's worth. Will the latest mess that he's in cause problems for the team as a whole? We shall see. If there were a way to dump him without losing a fortune in his contract, I would say to cut him loose.