Report: Cashman wanted to ditch A-Rod in '07

[redsfandan]

Report: Cashman wanted to ditch A-Rod in '07
Yanks GM reportedly was against maximum money for anyone in their 30s
-TSN updated 5:13 p.m. ET, Fri., March. 6, 2009

Back in 2007 when New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez exercised his opt-out clause, GM Brian Cashman and the team's baseball operations department recommended the team let the slugger go, according to a New York Post report.

The reason was that no player should be offered maximum money in to his 30s and his 40s. Cashman, as the Post explains, had been part of too many contracts that left the roster full of declining veterans whose production didn't match payroll.

Future TV ratings as A-Rod chased home run records had a lot to do with the decision to re-sign Rodriguez to a record contract in 2007, according to the newspaper. But now a hip injury and cyst make Cashman appear to have been right. Rodriguez is only 33 years old, and his contract runs until he's 42.

The specters of Albert Belle and Bo Jackson, who were hobbled and eventually forced out of baseball by hip injuries, now haunt the Yankees as they hope Rodriguez can retain his hitting ability and agility in the field.

[JBChance]

So, the implication is that the Steinbrenners overruled Cashman and the operations department to resign A-Rod. It's awful convenient for this to come out now, when his huge contract looks to turn into a bust. Color me skeptical.

If he was overruled on a major decision like that, then why re-up in '08 for 3 more years? There were the rumors that he would go in 2005, but he was reportedly given more control and he signed an extension.

I think it's a little premature to call A-Rod's hip injury career threatening, anyway - reports now say that he'll try to play with it for the time being, so it can't be THAT bad.

Actually, his recent steroid revelations could be more damaging than the hip. Especially if part of his allure to the Yankees is/was his ascension into the all-time HR rankings. TV ratings might take a hit with the black cloud over him.

If it does turn out to be true, it could give Cashman some serious "I told you so"-type clout. Of course, that might mean nothing with the Steinbrenners.

[mroby85]

Will it ever end?

[Ghosts of 1990]

I guess A-Rod is no lock to run down Bonds. Cheater or not, the fact that Barry could stay healthy into his age and hit like he did was really something.