Trojan
11-20-2007, 03:49 AM
I thought the Yankee's said they would not negotiate with him?
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/al/yankees/2007-11-19-rodriguez-contract_N.htm
Third baseman Alex Rodriguez verified Monday why the New York Yankees believe he is worthy of the richest contract in baseball history, winning the American League's Most Valuable Player Award for the third time in five years.
Rodriguez, who last week agreed to the parameters of a record 10-year, $275 million contract, easily beat runner-up right fielder Magglio Ordonez of the Detroit Tigers. Rodriguez received 26 of the 28 first-place votes, nearly becoming the first Yankee since Mickey Mantle in 1956 to unanimously win the Baseball Writers' Association of America award.
"This was a magical season," Rodriguez said, "both on and off the field."
Rodriguez, who expects to finalize his contract next week, declined to offer details about why he chose to opt out of the final three years of his original contract and explore free agency. He will provide the particulars, he said, when the deal becomes final. It could be worth $304 million with incentives, according to a person involved in the negotiations.
"New York has been a place of growth to me," said Rodriguez, who's still seeking his first World Series appearance. "I banged my head against the wall for years. I felt I made a lot of mistakes. I was trying to please everybody instead of doing what made me happy."
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/al/yankees/2007-11-19-rodriguez-contract_N.htm
Third baseman Alex Rodriguez verified Monday why the New York Yankees believe he is worthy of the richest contract in baseball history, winning the American League's Most Valuable Player Award for the third time in five years.
Rodriguez, who last week agreed to the parameters of a record 10-year, $275 million contract, easily beat runner-up right fielder Magglio Ordonez of the Detroit Tigers. Rodriguez received 26 of the 28 first-place votes, nearly becoming the first Yankee since Mickey Mantle in 1956 to unanimously win the Baseball Writers' Association of America award.
"This was a magical season," Rodriguez said, "both on and off the field."
Rodriguez, who expects to finalize his contract next week, declined to offer details about why he chose to opt out of the final three years of his original contract and explore free agency. He will provide the particulars, he said, when the deal becomes final. It could be worth $304 million with incentives, according to a person involved in the negotiations.
"New York has been a place of growth to me," said Rodriguez, who's still seeking his first World Series appearance. "I banged my head against the wall for years. I felt I made a lot of mistakes. I was trying to please everybody instead of doing what made me happy."