AL East News & Rumors: A-Rod, Rays, Marlins, Pearce
By Mark Polishuk | August 8, 2016 at 9:26pm CDT
Here's the latest from around the AL East…
Alex Rodriguez didn't close the door on continuing his career beyond his final game as a Yankee on Friday, but playing in his home state of Florida might not be in the cards. The Rays don't have interest in A-Rod, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports, while MLB.com's Joe Frisaro believes it is "highly doubtful" that the Marlins sign the veteran slugger. (Both links to Twitter.)
The two Florida teams were listed by ESPN's Buster Olney (subscription required) as speculative fits if Rodriguez decided to keep playing, with the Twins and Astros also being cited. A-Rod could help on the field if he has anything left in his bat, though Olney noted that Rodriguez's vaunted game preparation could make him a mentor for young players on the four teams. Once Rodriguez is released, of course, a new team would only owe him a prorated minimum salary, with the Yankees responsible for the rest of his hefty remaining contract.
Steve Pearce left the fifth inning of yesterday's game due to a right elbow strain, and Orioles manager Buck Showalter told reporters (including MASNsports.com's Roch Kubatko) that Pearce was feeling much better after receiving a cortisone injection. The team will wait a couple of days to gauge Pearce's improvement, though Showalter hinted that Pearce could still be worked into games in a non-throwing capacity. The O's re-acquired Pearce in a deadline trade with the Rays, adding the veteran to provide versatility and to boost the team's productivity against left-handed pitching.
Baltimore Orioles Miami Marlins New York Yankees Tampa Bay Rays Alex Rodriguez Steve Pearce
AL West News & Rumors: Paxton, Walker, Angels
NL News & Rumors: CarGo, Utley, Rizzo, Roark, Giants
If Rodriguez were to sign with another team, what would happen to the home run milestone bonuses in his Yankee contract? Do they still apply? Who pays them?
I think he would get them. And the Yankees would likely pay them.
No, I'm pretty sure the team claiming him would pay the bonuses. Why should the Yankees pay more if another team claimed him?
smacary
The Yankees would be fully responsible.
start_wearing_purple
The bonuses part of ARod's contract and unless there is specific language in his contract then the yanks would be on the hook for everything expect for the salary the new team would pay, which would be league minimum.
My guess would be the Yankees are off the hook for those bonuses, because he was released of his Yankee contract.
agentx
The Yankees will release Rodriguez on Friday, therefore nullifying all terms, conditions, and compensation except for his remaining guaranteed base salaries for 2016 and 2017..
Without negotiating similar clauses into his next contract, Rodriguez would not receive any bonuses for surpassing Ruth, Aaron, and Bonds, not from the Yankees or from anyone else..
johnsilver
You have to ask this tho.. Exactly who would expect to get PR from this most tainted of any player, short of Bonds and Canseco? Loria? It would be a major stretch for even him to give him some kind of deal in an attempt to try to put fans in the seats and that was the guy who hired Guillen and allowed Zambrano to get signed under his ownership.
chuckymorris
Maybe A-Rod can play wii sports baseball f he wants to keep playing
A-Rod clearly has an economic interest in getting back on the field–his incentive payments. He gets $6M at 700 (not far away), $6M at 714, and $6M at 755. He's not likely to make 755, but, if he can get some playing time, 714 is not unattainable next year. Not all the terms of the Yankees agreement with him are available, so you wonder what understanding they have. But in all honesty, fabulous work ethic or not, do you really want an injured, immobile 41 year old DH who is also a lightening-rod? Let's wait until after the rosters expand in September.
Nobody is going to claim him on release waivers. Once the Yankees release him, those bonuses will not carry over to his next contract.
Curious, Where are you getting your info on the bonuses?
Unless you know specific wording of the contract then the yanks should be on the hook of every part of ARod's contract except for the league minimum salary another team would pay him.
The yankees signed the deal, Unless there is specific protection that the union would never approve, they're on the hook for whatever they agree to.
You need to remember that those bonuses are a marketing bonus and that is just how it is worded in his contract. If they cant market it they may not have to pay it. I am not saying that is the case but remember that is how it is worded.
NoAZPhilsPhan
I don't know if all exact wording of the contract was released but it was separate from his standard contract and may not be binding as it was linked specifically to Yankee PR. A-Rod wanted $300m, the Yankees said no and Warren Buffet (if memory serves) of all people suggested a separate PR based contract. A-Rod would get $$ for each milestone and would make appearances, promos etc for the Yankees celebrating the club and of course himself.
You are wrong on your bonuses. He does not get $6M at 700. That is not passing another player. That is just hitting a milestone and no bonus for it.
swas317
There is no bonus for 700 homers, just for passing Ruth, Aaron and Bonds
This is the list of remaining bonuses he has in his contract. Babe Ruth (714), Hank Aaron (755) and Barry Bonds (762), and passes Bonds.
movaughn
Honestly I kind of want to see another team sign ARod…not even for the 700 HRs but I'm just curious to see which team would sign him. Plus he's been a Yankee so long now it would be cool to see him in a different uni.
Ya I hear you I'd have to agree with on that it would be pretty cool and the Yanks would be pissed I would think!
As a Yankee fan, I'd like to see him in a different uniform as well
drum18
I don't think NY would be on the hook for the bonuses since he'd attain the milestone with a different team and NY couldn't "market" the achievement.
Let's not forget that he'll still make more money over the next 10 years from the deferrals in the Rangers/NY trade agreement.
Suffice to say I think NY is still paying Clemens $1M a year until 2017 (or 2018) from his last Yankee pact.
Back to Arod, I don't think any team will take a chance on him unless he really hits the s**t out of the ball when he has opportunity to this week. After all he's been through, I don't see him signing on outside NY to merely mentor and play part time.
dpierson10
A Rod is done. Ride away in the sunset. He will be a hitting coach in a few years once all of the dust settles just like Barry. Maybe one day they will put both of them in the HOF. Baseball knew what they were doing.
The Astros need all the help they can get and could use Arod as their DH.
bradthebluefish
A-Rod should go into the offseason and do the David Ortiz program. All work out and training, extremely little batting – maybe once a week. Just focus on conditioning.
BSPORT
That's what is keeping him out of hall of fame. The David Ortiz program. I guess Papi juice is undetectable to MLB.
boringdan
Would the personal service contract he signed with the Yankees following his release not preclude him from signing with another team?
Why are the Yankees taking the Red Sox garbage?