Could A-Rod Be Changing His Pinstripes?

October 19th, 2012 by Mike H. | Filed under Baseball, Phillies, Sports.

A-Rod as a Phillie??

One of the biggest whirlwind discussions of the offseason will be the Opening Day location of Alex Rodriguez. While Rodriguez himself has stated he will not ask for a trade and that he intends to be in New York, rumors have surfaced that the future Hall of Famer would be willing to accept a trade to another large market. Rodriguez’ contract still has $114 M of guaranteed money remaining over the next five seasons, it also has $4 M in signing bonus (that I’d presume the Yankees are responsible for regardless) plus another potential $30 M in marketing if he passes Willie Mays, Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, and Barry Bonds. Rodriguez currently sits 13 behind Mays for fourth all-time.

Immediately, you can eliminate New York as the Mets will likely lock up David Wright. The Dodgers are a possibility, but how far over the luxury tax are they willing to go? The Angels could be a fit, but I’m not sure they are in the market for a third baseman. But who knows, no one thought they were in the market for C.J. Wilson AND Albert Pujols last year. Does anyone really see either Chicago team as a viable destination, because I really don’t. So wouldn’t that make Philadelphia the largest market with a potential need at third base? And more importantly, should Philadelphia be interested in acquiring the aging slugger?

Why it could happen: First of all, because the Phillies are in need of a third baseman and a right-handed bat to sit behind Howard. Rodriguez definitely fits that description. Secondly, new rumors have developed that the Yankee Front Office may be willing to pay up to 80% percent of the contract. Meaning that the acquiring team could be responsible for just $22.8 M over the next five years. In theory, couldn’t a lesser package lower the amount of monies paid? Could a lesser package be made that could net a 65/35 split where the acquiring team pays $8 M per?

At that rate, I think the Phillies could, and possibly should, consider inquiring on a deal. It would fall just short of a coup of epic proportions. It potentially can solve on and off the field problems for the Phillies. Obviously, he would fill a need at the hot corner and in the lineup, but you’d have to imagine that with every “A-Bomb” he hits, the Phillies garner just a little more attention. Rodriguez is 116 home runs away from the all-time record and would need to average 24 per season to reach that milestone by the end of his current contract. If Rodriguez could do that, the Phillies become “Must See TV” in the baseball community. Anything that draws in more and more fans will boost the value of the franchise, which coincidentally, will be sold or signed to a mega TV deal. Either way, the ownership group will be saturated with money.

Why it shouldn’t happen: First off, what would you have to give up? When Ruben Amaro took the reigns, the Phillies had a top 10, and arguably top 5, minor league system in all of baseball. In just four seasons, he’s sunk it to a bottom five system with very little in terms of position prospects. Unless the Phillies can give up a package similar to the ones that the Yankees gave up for Bobby Abreu AND still have the Yankees pay at least 65% of Rodriguez’ contract, I don’t think the Phillies should do it.

Secondly, Rodriguez has been on more of a decline than Ryan Howard supposedly is (depending on which fans you ask). He hasn’t been in 140 or more games per season since 2008. Not that the Phillies don’t have guys like Frandsen or Orr or Galvis available to take over in a pinch, but players that are there to produce don’t value well if they can’t stay on the field.

Finally, the attitude. Maybe its complacency. Maybe its just arrogance, but Alex Rodriguez could easily be labeled as a club house cancer. With the locker room already piling up on guys who are starting to show signs of complacency, why would you want to add baseball’s biggest prima donna?

Should the Phillies go after Rodriguez? Like I said, it’s all about what the Phillies will have to give up and what the Yankees offer to pay. I think its possible that coming to a new town and a new league rejuvenate him. Does the move make the team better than the Braves or the Nationals? It definitely does give them more potentially to be better, but there are no guarantees. And who knows, does Rodriguez even want to play in Philly?

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