Alex Rodriguez is free to walk away from his agreement to become a special advisor for the Yankees if he elects to sign with another team, general manager Brian Cashman said Monday.
The Marlins, who play in Rodriguez’s hometown of Miami, reportedly have expressed interest.
Rodriguez, who was unconditionally released by the Yankees on Saturday, officially becomes a free agent at 1 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, Cashman said.
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Rodriguez has not yet signed the deal offered by Hal Steinbrenner, the team’s managing general partner, eight days ago when it was announced that Rodriguez’s 12-year career with the team would be ending. He played in his final game last Friday.
“He’s free to sign [the Yankees’ deal] if he wants,’’ Cashman said. “If he chooses to change his mind and keep playing it’s certainly something he can do.”
The special advisor/instructor arrangement would pay Rodriguez a nominal amount beyond what he already is owed.
According to the Associated Press, The Yankees will pay Rodriguez $27,103,825, the remaining amount from his $275 million, 10-year contract. He is due $7,103,825 for the rest of this season and $20 million next year.
There has been no word from Rodriguez’s camp on how he would respond to an overture by the Marlins, who would only be responsible to pay Rodriguez a prorated amount of the major league minimum of $507,500.
With no designated hitter in the National League, Rodriguez would have to play first base or be a pinch-hitter for the Marlins. He played two games for the Yankees at first base last season, looked awkward, and had one error.
Rodriguez never said he was retiring from the game during his final interviews in pinstripes. The Marlins, who are in a close race with the Mets, Cardinals and Pirates for the second wild card, have injury issues, led by a possible season-ending groin strain to slugger Giancarlo Stanton.
Rodriguez is fourth on the all-time list with 696 home runs and has implied he would like to reach 700. The Marlins hitting coach is Barry Bonds, who is first with 762.
..... - Newsday