Apropos To The A-Rod Opt Out

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There's a lot of interesting discussion on the internet about the A-Rod opt-out and who is is negotiating badly.

Theory 1: The Yankees Front Office has fucked it up by issuing ultimatums and trying to bully A-Rod into signing an extension. Thus A-Rod opted out to test hi real market value, righteously.

Theory 2: A-Rod couldn't wait to get out of New York. Thus, there is no further discussion between Boras/A-Rod and the Yankee Front Office.

Theory 3: It's all a big negotiation ploy from both sides. The Yankees press an ultimatum; Boras counters by having A-Rod opt out; the Yankees feign fury/jilted-lover-speak; Boras collects the bids; Boras goes back to the Yankees and the Yankees trumps it all...

Personally, I'm with Theory 2. I think the Yankees are rebuilding and the presence of A-Rod while good for the next few years is bound to become an albatross by the end of his career. The Yankees will miss A-Rod's bat, but they've won without the best player being on their side. As an organization, you have to take that risk.

While the offense is going to be 5 wins short without A-Rod, the new rotation with Hughes, Chamberlain, and Kennedy is possibly going to pick up 2-3 of those wins on the pitching side. So really, the new 3B platoon needs to be 30runs above replacement instead of 60. If they can find the right bat to platoon with Betemit, this is not unachievable.

Names being bandied about as targets are:
Morgan Ensberg (32) - He might be non-tendered by the Padres because they have Kevin Khouzmanof
Joe Crede (30) - He seems to be on the trading block after a bad back ruined his season.
Mike Lowell (33) - if Boston don't retain him.
Mark Teahen (26) - because the Royals already have Alex Gordon.
Miguel Tejada (32) - just because the Orioles really don't have a need for him, as they waved him about as trade bait for a few off-seasons running. 'What do the Orioles need him for?'
Miguel Cabrera 24 - They'd have to give up Hughes to get this guy. So they probably won't.
Hank Blalock (27) - It's possible that the Rangers might trade him for some pitching.
Garrett Atkins (28) - Unlikely as it seems, the Rockies may trade him to make room for prospect Ian Stewart.

Somewhere in that pile is the answer. Go Ca$hmoney!