If not for the MLBPA, that deal would have happened.

Then how do you explain A-Rod not going to Boston in the ’03-’04 offseason?

~~~But, baseball will do nothing on it – they did nothing when the Sox signed JD Drew – and that’s the same deal as this one.~~~

As long as A-Rod goes to Bud’s best buddy John Henry’s Red Sox.

~~~I think A-Rod is totally under the influence of Boras and wouldn’t be surprised if there was some tampering going on,~~~

Of course, and, of course.

Boras is his advisor and there’s no way they opt out unless Boras knows for a fact that there’s more money somewhere else.

But, baseball will do nothing on it – they did nothing when the Sox signed JD Drew – and that’s the same deal as this one.

~~~And Steve, I owe you an apology, you were right about this guy and I was wrong! Opting out is one thing, but the fact that he did it during the Series while throwing the team under the bus is incredible.~~~

No need to apologize to me. Everyone has a right to have an opinion and to change their mind on it later – or not. I’m not judging anyone for having an opinion, believing in it, and then changing it, or not, later.

But MJ, he won the MVP in 2005 too, so he can play at the highest level despite all the distractions. I still view this as Boras manipulating A-Rod (who probably is susceptible to being manipulated.)

Well, it was pretty obvious that there was tampering going on with JD Drew, and baseball didn’t care, probably because it was JD Drew and also because it was the Red Sox. I find it hard to believe that A-Rod is going to get a better deal than the Yanks allegedly offered, unless someone has already made it. I know people think Boras understands the market better than anyone, but he was way off on the demand for Johnny Damon two years ago.

Maybe I’m wrong, and maybe teams are lining up to offer A-Rod his $400 million deal taking him through age 45 or whatever. I never thought Soriano would get his deal either.

And Steve, I owe you an apology, you were right about this guy and I was wrong! Opting out is one thing, but the fact that he did it during the Series while throwing the team under the bus is incredible.

But, RBJ, as Steve said, maybe the whole “at peace” thing was because he knew all along that he was leaving the Yanks and thus he was able to free his mind of all that came along with it.

The thing is MJ, A-Rod seemed more at peace this year with NY (the city) so I’m not sure he wants to go to a quieter place. What if he goes to the Mets — that isn’t leaving the bright lights of NY. And even Chicago or Boston is going to have a big spotlight on him.

Personally, I think A-Rod is totally under the influence of Boras and wouldn’t be surprised if there was some tampering going on, in which case I’d like to see a one year suspension, a suspension of Boras and the owner of team he winds up with.
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Although that would be easier for me to accept, there would be no logic in Boras manipulating A-Rod out of his contract without so much as listening to the Yanks’ best offer. A-Rod has to accept responsibility here and I think we all got the message loud and clear that he’d rather take another team’s salary, even if it would represent a little bit less than what he could’ve gotten out of the Steinbrenners. As much as I dislike Boras, I really think A-Rod just told Boras to end the facade last night and open the door to other teams so he could move on.