A-Rod Speculation

A-Rod's opt-out clause is the sexiest topic of the young baseball season, along with the trade rumors that have been swirling since his unimpressive October last year. With the Yankees flirting with the prospect of dropping out of contention already this season, we might see Brian Cashman cut his losses (and his payroll, significantly) and shop Rodriguez.

FanNation links to a Boston Herald story which speculates that the Red Sox, long considered a front-runner for A-Rod's services after he opts out of his current contract, may go another direction and offer a contract extension to Mike Lowell:

Three weeks ago, it seemed A-Rod’s next stop might very well be Boston. This is where A-Rod wanted to be when he left Texas in 2003. The Red Sox have the money, the flair for the dramatic and a potential opening at third base. It was the perfect storm for the current Sox administration: a move that would make Theo Epstein as giddy as Charles Steinberg.

But this is how well things have gone for the Red Sox as they bring their gaudy American League East lead into the Bronx this week. Instead of angling to add A-Rod to the mix, it may be time to talk contract with their incumbent third baseman, Mike Lowell [stats].

Lowell is currently off to a hot start, hitting .333/.391/.560. He was surprisingly effective last year as well, with an .816 OPS. He's certainly a cheaper alternative to Rodriguez, who looks to be in line for another $20 million+ AAV deal for a significantly longer time commitment.

Another possible suitor for A-Rod is the White Sox. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, Kenny Williams is pissed at the team's slow start. Williams has never been shy about making a bold trade to better his club. There is a significant blockage at third base, with Joe Crede already blocking top position prospect Josh Fields at the hot corner. Both have gotten off to abysmal starts, however, and Williams' patience is apparently wearing thin. Another option would be to move Rodriguez back to shortstop, and keeping one of Crede or Fields at third. I don't think I'm alone in my belief that A-Rod would be a bit of an offensive upgrade over Juan Uribe.