While searching for Joe Torre’s successor is certainly a big task, it’s not the only one in the Yankees’ universe. Despite not having a manager, the Yankees are preparing to make an offer to Alex Rodriguez soon that they hope keeps their third baseman and cleanup hitter away from free agency.
When GM Brian Cashman said Wednesday that if Rodriguez opts out of the final three years of a contract and becomes a free agent, the Yankees won’t be in the hunt, Cashman was speaking with the approval of George Steinbrenner and his sons, Hal and Hank. Some eye that as a negotiation ploy; others sincerely believe the Yankees have drawn a thick line in the sand.
Instead, the Yankees believe they can make Rodriguez a solid offer while taking advantage of the $23.1 million they receive from the Rangers in 2008, 2009 and 2010. The offer isn’t expected to approach the $300 million range or be for a dozen years, something agent Scott Boras predicts is available to his client, who next month figures to notch his second AL MVP award in three years.
Yet, the Yankees shouldn’t expect Rodriguez to jump at whatever the offer is.
“Alex has to go through many things like ownership, the manager and the coaches, before he gets to the economics,” Boras said last night.
Rodriguez, who led the majors in homers (54) and RBIs (156) and hit .314, can opt out of his 10-year, $252 million contract 10 days after the end of the World Series.
Many industry sources believe that if Rodriguez opts out, Boras has a deal for him already set. But at the money ($30 million a year) being mentioned, only a few teams have the finances to lure Rodriguez away from The Bronx, where he has become comfortable in the clubhouse and accepted by a fan base that was very hard on him during the first three years.
Losing Rodriguez would leave the Yankees with a crater in the middle of the lineup. They could turn to free agent Mike Lowell, who will receive interest from the Red Sox to stay in Boston, the Phillies, and possibly the Dodgers. The White Sox will likely shop Joe Crede and his surgically repaired back. Or the Yankees could shift Robinson Cano from second base to third.
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Yankee coaches’ contracts expire Oct. 31, and it’s possible Torre’s replacement won’t be named by then. Yet, there is nothing Cashman can do.
“The manager has to be part of picking the coaching staff,” Cashman said.
That makes for some nervous times for third-base coach Larry Bowa, hitting instructor Kevin Long, first-base coach Tony Pena, who will interview for the managerial opening, pitching coach Ron Guidry and bullpen coach Joe Kerrigan. Guidry isn’t expected to be retained, and Kerrigan’s future isn’t known. Of course, bench coach Don Mattingly is the favorite to replace Torre.