As expected, the Yankees won’t try to void Alex Rodriguez’s contract or trade him in the wake of news about his 2001-03 steroid use. George A. King III and Mark Hale of the New York Post asked Hank Steinbrenner about the possibility of voiding the deal, and he said, "No, no…it’s simply…that’s it basically." Steinbrenner also chuckled/giggled when asked about attempting to trade A-Rod.
Alex Rodriguez
A-Rod Admits To Steroid Use, Apologizes
Alex Rodriguez spoke to ESPN’s Peter Gammons, admitting to steroid use during 2001-03 only while with the Rangers.
A-Rod’s Contract Stands, Steroids Or Not
According to Selena Roberts and David Epstein of Sports Illustrated, "Alex Rodriguez tested positive for two anabolic steroids" in 2003. Rodriguez did not comment, but Roberts and Epstein say they confirmed his alleged steroid use with four independent sources. Rodriguez was reportedly one of 104 players to test positive for PEDs in 2003.
However, steroid use doesn’t impact A-Rod’s contract.
"Two sources familiar with Rodriguez’s contract told SI there is no language about steroids in the contract that would put Rodriguez at risk of losing money."
Stark On Greinke, Manny, Dunn, Swisher
The latest from ESPN’s Jayson Stark…
- The Cubs’ ownership situation is not close to the finish line, which is one reason the team won’t be acquiring Jake Peavy anytime soon.
- One source of Stark’s suggested Zack Greinke nearly left his current agent John Courtright of SFX for Scott Boras, a whisper I’d heard as well. But now Greinke is happy with his contract and agent.
- Free agents such as Manny Ramirez and Ivan Rodriguez could reasonably wait until March to sign. Not a bad thing for this website!
- Adam Dunn would like Manny to sign earlier, as he’s waiting to see what the Dodgers (his preferred team) do. The Nationals have been Dunn’s most aggressive suitor, the Orioles have mild interest, and the Braves have backed off.
- Stark questions the idea of talks for Manny heating up lately, since the Mets, Yankees, and Angels are out and the Giants are only conditionally interested.
- When Alex Rodriguez was a free agent last winter, Joe Torre advised the Dodgers against signing him.
- The Phillies would like to move Geoff Jenkins for a right-handed hitting outfielder, but Jenkins is paid too much. Jay Payton and Emil Brown are not on the Phillies’ radar; they still like Nomar Garciaparra.
- The Yankees are apparently "softening to the idea of trading Nick Swisher," with the Braves the top suitor.
Gammons On Varitek, Teixeira
7:21pm Here is a link to the actual radio clip.
6:01pm Chad Finn of the Boston Globe recaps Peter Gammons’ appearance today on WEEI.
- Gammons believes the Red Sox would sign Jason Varitek if he offered his services for $2MM. Gammons still believes the Red Sox would prefer to take the draft picks and trade for a different catcher.
- Gammons says the player’s association was "strongly advising" agents to turn down arbitration offers, but that in the end it cost players like Varitek a lot of money.
- Gammons says a lot of players could be looking for jobs in the spring, noting that AJ Burnett’s agents did a great job considering the Yankees wanted Derek Lowe. As a result, Lowe (a Boras client) is now without a job.
- Gammons called Mark Teixeira Scott Boras’ "ultimate client" and that Teixeira is "very well-programmed."
- He notes that there was a lot of "testiness" between Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez in Texas and Gammons wonders how Teixeira will handle the high expectations that come with playing in New York.
Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.
Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Teixeira
On this date 89 years ago, the Red Sox sold Babe Ruth to the Yankees. The move may have come as a result of Ruth’s threat to not play until the Red Sox increased his salary from $10K to $20K. The Red Sox received $100K and a $300K loan from the Yankees, using Fenway Park as collateral on the loan. It is believed that the Red Sox turned down an offer of Shoeless Joe Jackson and $60K from the White Sox. The best hitter to change teams this off-season is Mark Teixeira, who also spurned the Red Sox and joined the Yankees. The signing has caused quite a stir. Let’s see what is being written in the Blogosphere…
- Ump Bump breaks down the winners and losers of the Teixeira signing.
- Lizzy of Babes Love Baseball wonders why a salary cap would be so bad and feels NYC taxpayers should be pissed.
- We Love DC had the sensors working overtime in their reaction to the Nats losing out on the Teixeira sweepstakes.
- The Joy of Sox says it is just the Yankees being the Yankees, having committed over $1B, with a ’B’, in new contracts in the past 13 months.
- Sully Baseball says there is no reason for Red Sox fans to panic, noting that all the Yankees have done this off-season is buy players that have never played in a big market and have no idea what the expectations are going to be.
- Fire Brand of the American League explains why the Red Sox will be just fine without Teixeira.
- Center Field says the Teixeira signing makes the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry interesting again.
- Red Sox Fan from Pinstripe Territory is not worried, saying the Yankees are just trying to "buy second place." [CG – Who finished second in ’08?]
- Surviving Grady points out that the Teixeira signing is good news for Alex Rodriguez’ delicate sensibilities.
- Oriole Post says the Teixeira signing should convince everybody that baseball needs a salary cap.
- Infield Chatter takes a look at eight teams most affected by the Teixeira signing.
- Ed Valentine at Bugs and Cranks refuses to apologize for the Yankees doing everything they can to win and notes that unlike the Red Sox, the Yankees always do what is necessary to get the player they want.
- River Ave. Blues and Bronx Banter point out that the increase in the Yankees’ payroll from ’08 to ’09 will only be negligible.
- Sox and Pinstripes says the Yankees are just doing what the Red Sox did in ’07 prior to winning the World Series.
- El Lefty Malo says Teixeira is like a tall glass of prune juice…Yep, these are our baseball blogs.
Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com. If you have a suggestion for this feature, Cork can be reached here.
Heyman’s Latest: Furcal, Jenks, Nats, Yankees, White Sox
Here are a few of the latest notes from Jon Heyman…
- The Dodgers offered Rafael Furcal a two-year deal worth $25-30MM. A source close to Furcal told Heyman that the Dodgers know that it will take more and at least eight teams have expressed interest in Furcal.
- In the same piece Heyman says the White Sox are open to trading Bobby Jenks, but Heyman’s source says it will "take quite a bit."
- Heyman says the Nationals are not likely to land any of the big names they covet noting they do not have the pieces for a trade and few free agents would be willing to play for a 100-loss team. Heyman does say Adam Dunn could be one player that is willing to sign with the Nats based on his relationship with Jim Bowden.
- Heyman says the Yankees may be serious about trading for Mike Cameron noting that they have even asked for Alex Rodriguez’ opinion of his former teammate.
- Heyman reports that the White Sox could trade several of their bigger players. Most of the names have been heard here over the last couple of days, but one we haven’t heard in a while is Paul Konerko. Heyman says Konerko could be an attractive backup plan to any team that fails to sign Mark Teixeira. Heyman also says the White Sox could go after Orlando Hudson if they can unload some of their bigger contracts.
Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.
Boras Speaks
Scott Boras held court today; here are a few tidbits from various outlets.
- Boras says things with Alex Rodriguez are fine; they have a good relationship.
- Boras spoke of a very aggressive market for Mark Teixeira.
- Larry Stone has more hyperbolic quotes from Boras, in reference to several other clients.
Odds and Ends: Santos, Blalock, Lo Duca
Let’s dig through today’s rumor bin…
- The Jays claimed southpaw Reid Santos off waivers from the Indians. MLB.com’s Anthony Castrovince says the Indians are clearing room on their 40-man roster in preparation for the winter.
- Dejan Kovacevic has yet to observe why new Pirates third baseman Andy LaRoche is so highly regarded.
- Jamey Newberg feels Hank Blalock’s $6.2MM option for ’09 is an easy call to exercise.
- J.C. Bradbury sees a rift within the Braves organization.
- Craig Calcaterra dismisses the silly idea of Frank McCourt suing Andruw Jones.
- Paul Lo Duca would prefer a non-guaranteed deal next year if he gets a chance to compete for a starting job.
- Ian O’Connor doesn’t see Alex Rodriguez finishing his contract as a Yankee.
- C.C. Sabathia just wants to be happy in his next destination.
- Will the Braves re-sign Mike Hampton this winter? Is it possible both he and Carl Pavano are useful pitchers in 2009?
Heyman’s Latest: Epstein, Cano, Hudson
Highlights from Jon Heyman’s latest column at SI.com:
- Brewers owner Mark Attanasio reportedly made the decision to fire Ned Yost, but GM Doug Melvin’s power is not diminished.
- Theo Epstein’s new agreement is for three years.
- Heyman notes "talk lately that the Yankees might consider trading Robinson Cano." Apparently Cano still has good trade value and the Yankees could fill multiple needs in a deal. Heyman says the Dodgers are interested. Cano was subject of an odd Dodgers rumor back in July. The Yanks would be interested in Orlando Hudson if they were to trade Cano.
- Alex Rodriguez patched things up with Scott Boras, who he considers "a good guy."
