NEW YORK - Scott Boras says the New York Yankees could still negotiate with Alex Rodriguez if they wanted to.
Boras maintained Wednesday that the Yankees should treat A-Rod the same way they deal with reliever Mariano Rivera and catcher Jorge Posada, who also are free agents.
“Why is it that Alex is the only Yankee who can't become a free agent?” Boras said Wednesday. “That question was not answered, and we think it's a question that's going to be asked for years to come.”
The Yankees had repeatedly said that they wouldn't negotiate with Rodriguez if he opted out because they would lose the subsidy the Texas Rangers agreed to as part of the 2004 trade that sent A-Rod to New York. Rodriguez terminated his contract on Sunday.
“We were very sincere and honest and direct with Scott Boras. ... It's a lot of money - to any franchise, even the New York Yankees,” general manager Brian Cashman said Tuesday. “It was just a representation of simple economics: $30 million is nothing to sneeze at.”
New York was owed $21.3 million from Texas over the final three years of Rodriguez's contract, which also called for the Rangers to pay him $3 million annually in money to be deferred.
Boras, Rodriguez's longtime agent, said the Yankees knew Rodriguez was planning to opt out.
“On Thursday we had two extended conversation with Cash discussing a number of variables regarding the Yankees and Alex,” Boras said. “We advised the Yankees that Alex, like other Yankee players, had the right to elect free agency.
“We spoke twice on Thursday. And the week before I had a 45-minute conversation with Hal Steinbrenner regarding the new structure and policies of the Yankees, with Hal and Hank heading the organization.”
If Pettitte plays, it will be with Yankees
Andy Pettitte said during the season that he either would return to the Yankees or retire. But with all of the Yankees' recent changes, it would have been reasonable to wonder if he was having second thoughts.
Pettitte nixed the idea that he might pitch elsewhere next year in an interview Tuesday with Houston's Fox 26 Sports (KRIV). The story was posted on the television station's Web site. Pettitte told KRIV he will play for the Yankees next year or not at all.
“The New York Yankees committed an awful lot of money to me and put it in my hands, gave me a player option and trusted me with that 'option,” Pettitte told KRIV.
“It probably wouldn't be real honorable for me to do anything other than if I shut it down, shut it down or go back and play for the New York Yankees.”
Pettitte has until 10 days after the conclusion of the World Series (Nov. 7) to let the Yankees know whether he plans to pick up the $16-million option on his contract for 2008. This year was his first season back with the Yankees after a three-year hiatus with his hometown Astros. The 35-year-old lefty was 15-9 with a 4.05 ERA.
Pettitte was and is a big supporter of departed Manager Joe Torre. However, he said he won't let that affect his decision.
“Why is it that Alex is the only Yankee who can't become a free agent?” Boras said Wednesday. “That question was not answered, and we think it's a question that's going to be asked for years to come.”
The Yankees had repeatedly said that they wouldn't negotiate with Rodriguez if he opted out because they would lose the subsidy the Texas Rangers agreed to as part of the 2004 trade that sent A-Rod to New York. Rodriguez terminated his contract on Sunday.
“We were very sincere and honest and direct with Scott Boras. ... It's a lot of money - to any franchise, even the New York Yankees,” general manager Brian Cashman said Tuesday. “It was just a representation of simple economics: $30 million is nothing to sneeze at.”
New York was owed $21.3 million from Texas over the final three years of Rodriguez's contract, which also called for the Rangers to pay him $3 million annually in money to be deferred.
Boras, Rodriguez's longtime agent, said the Yankees knew Rodriguez was planning to opt out.
“On Thursday we had two extended conversation with Cash discussing a number of variables regarding the Yankees and Alex,” Boras said. “We advised the Yankees that Alex, like other Yankee players, had the right to elect free agency.
“We spoke twice on Thursday. And the week before I had a 45-minute conversation with Hal Steinbrenner regarding the new structure and policies of the Yankees, with Hal and Hank heading the organization.”
If Pettitte plays, it will be with Yankees
Andy Pettitte said during the season that he either would return to the Yankees or retire. But with all of the Yankees' recent changes, it would have been reasonable to wonder if he was having second thoughts.
Pettitte nixed the idea that he might pitch elsewhere next year in an interview Tuesday with Houston's Fox 26 Sports (KRIV). The story was posted on the television station's Web site. Pettitte told KRIV he will play for the Yankees next year or not at all.
“The New York Yankees committed an awful lot of money to me and put it in my hands, gave me a player option and trusted me with that 'option,” Pettitte told KRIV.
“It probably wouldn't be real honorable for me to do anything other than if I shut it down, shut it down or go back and play for the New York Yankees.”
Pettitte has until 10 days after the conclusion of the World Series (Nov. 7) to let the Yankees know whether he plans to pick up the $16-million option on his contract for 2008. This year was his first season back with the Yankees after a three-year hiatus with his hometown Astros. The 35-year-old lefty was 15-9 with a 4.05 ERA.
Pettitte was and is a big supporter of departed Manager Joe Torre. However, he said he won't let that affect his decision.
