Despite No-Trade Clause, A-Rod Would Reportedly Accept Trade To Big-Market Team
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - Has Alex Rodriguez played his last game as a New York Yankee?
Nobody knows the answer to that question, but speculation has been swirling about that very topic as A-Rod has continued to struggle throughout the postseason.
The idea of Rodriguez being shipped out of New York became a hot topic of discussion on Wednesday, when Keith Olbermann reported that the Marlins and the Yankees are in talks to ship the slugger to South Florida.
General manager Brian Cashman promptly defused that situation, stating, "I've had no discussions whatsoever with the Florida Marlins. I can tell you there are no discussions whatsoever, (it's) 100 percent false. We are not down the line on any trade talks on any of our players, including Alex.''
But the 14-time All-Star, who is 3-for-23 with no RBIs this postseason, has been benched three times this postseason. He's been the victim of persistent boos at Yankee Stadium, and to make matters worse, he's been called out publicly by Donald Trump and is accused of flirting with two women during Game 1 of the American League Championship Series.
But if the Yankees want to unload A-Rod, there are many obstacles in the way. Not only is he owed $114 million over the next five season -- approximately $28 million in 2013, $23 million in 2014, $22 million in 2015, $21 million in 2016 and $20 million in 2017 -- but he has a full no-trade clause.
But according to a report in USA Today, the three-time American League MVP has told close friends that he won't stand in the way of a trade. The report added that he won't request a trade, however.
Rodriguez won't just accept any trade, however.
It would have to be the right situation. The veteran will only accept a trade to a big-market team, the newspaper reported.
Cashman told reporters that Rodriguez's benching was purely performance-related, and that it had nothing to do with the "flirtgate" incident.
And manager Joe Girardi reiterated that he believes Rodriguez will be a valuable asset to the club going forward.
''I feel he can help us," Girardi said. "I don't worry about rumors. Any time you have a player of Alex's stature, it's going to be a hot-button (issue). No one knows what tomorrow holds for any of us.''
The 37-year-old was acquired by New York in a deal for Alfonso Soriano in 2004 and won two MVP awards with the Bronx Bombers.
A native of Miami, Rodriguez batted .272 with 18 home runs and 57 RBIs in 2012.
Have any trade ideas in mind, Yankees fans? Let's hear them in the comments section below...
