BORAS, ALEX LOOKING AT 12 YEARS
October 12, 2007 -- Is Alex Rodriguez set to sign the final
contract of his career?
A pact that would dwarf the record-setting 10-year, $252 million he inked following the 2000 season?
KEIL'S GIMME SHELTER: Stay-Rod?
According to agent Scott Boras, Rodriguez getting a 12-year deal isn't out of the question and painted a picture where the team committing a dozen seasons to his client would make money with Rodriguez.
"In 2000 the YES network didn't exist," said Boras, who insists regional sports networks have changed the financial landscape of baseball, providing deep revenue streams. "Now it's worth $3 billion to $3.5 billion easily. What is it going to be worth in 12 years when Alex will be at the end of his career, chasing records and people wanting to say, 'I saw him play.' "
Asked if Rodriguez was going to seek a 12-year deal, Boras didn't deny it. And since it's generally been assumed that Rodriguez, 32, will be looking for $30 million a year, that's a whopping $360 million.
"The key thing for Alex and his family is that he wants to be in the place where he is going to end his career," Boras said. "He wants to be in one spot with a positive chance to win a World Championship."
What does Rodriguez wanting a 12-year deal mean to the Yankees? If Rodriguez opts out of his contract next month, he is leaving $91 million on the table. The Yankees are interested in talking about an extension before he hits free agency because the Rangers are paying $21 million across the next three years.
The Yankees' stance has been if Rodriguez becomes a free agent they will be out of it. However, that could change since George Steinbrenner wants to resign Rodriguez, who is a lock to win his second AL MVP in three years after batting .314 with 54 homers and 156 RBIs.
During the season GM Brian Cashman said if Rodriguez is a free agent the Yankees won't be in the race. This week Cashman said "it would be my recommendation" not to pursue Rodriguez, the free agent.
To make his point about Rodriguez's ability to pay for himself, Boras invented IPN which stands for Iconic magnetism, historic Performance and Network value.
"The same core players were there in 2002 and they drew 3.4 million and now they draw 4.3 million," Boras said of Rodriguez' impact on the gate.
When the talk was about a seven-year deal for $210 million, the Angels were mentioned as the leading candidate to land Rodriguez. They have looked into a regional sports network but haven't signed a deal with one. The Red Sox and Mets, who have their own networks, have surfaced lately as candidates.
What Rodriguez will decide to do could take shape shortly.
"I am waiting to meet with Alex to sit and talk," Boras said of his client, who is expected to leave Manhattan for Southern California where Boras lives this weekend. "It's going to be soon."
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A-rod is looking for a 12 year contract
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Originally Posted by Tchocky
