What's Next for A-Rod?

Prepare for two stories that will be repeated to death this season:

• Barry Bonds and his (pharmaceutically-aided?) pursuit of Hank Aaron's home run record
• The opt-out clause in Alex Rodriguez' contract

I'm not going to write about Barry Bonds, because I don't want to risk a prison sentence. I'm way too pretty to go to jail. So let's talk about A-Rod and his upcoming decision.

As ESPN's Jerry Crasnick reports, Rodriguez has a clause in his massive contract that allows him to opt out after the 2007 (or '08 or '09) seasons if he's not earning $1 million more than the next-highest-paid position player in the game. With baseball's executives collectively spending money like drunken sailors this off-season, there's been more than a little speculation that A-Rod could actually make more money by seeking a new contract after this year.

All together now: "Like A-Rod needs more money."

Well, yes, that's true. But let's also bear in mind: Rodriguez is represented by Scott Boras, the uber-agent known for his ability to squeeze two nickels together and get a quarter. Like most observers, I have a very hard time thinking Boras won't pursue the largest possible paycheck for his biggest meal ticket.

Does this mean Rodriguez isn't long for New York? Maybe, maybe not. Even if he does opt out, there's nothing preventing the Yankees from re-signing him. One could even suggest that some of the payroll-clearing Yankee GM Brian Cashman has done over the last six months (the trades of Gary Sheffield and Randy Johnson, for example) was done in anticipation of a bidding war. On the other hand, this could be Rodriguez' chance for the change of scenery that many think he needs.

For what it's worth, I think Rodriguez will have a huge season in 2007. Why? More Doug Mientkiewicz. Less Jason Giambi.

Mientkiewicz is a stellar defensive first baseman. Giambi... not so much. I think it is reasonable to suspect that some of Rodriguez' much-discussed fielding problems last season were caused by a general lack of trust in Giambi, or the need to make every throw to first absolutely perfect. With Mientkiewicz at first, all the Yankee infielders should be able to "grip it and rip it." A-Rod seems like a player who lets his struggles in the field affect his performance at the plate. If the Yanks' new defensive alignment solves the first problem, American League pitchers could be in for a very long season.

'Course, if things don't work out that way, A-Rod can always fall back on his new career as an author. His children's book, "Out of the Ballpark," is now available in English and Spanish on Amazon.com and in bookstores. The story is said to be semi-autobiographical -- it's about a little leaguer who hits a bunch of home runs in 7-2 games but strikes out in the championship.

Originally published at About Baseball