Is A-Rod Worth 30 Mill.?
After last season, Alex Rodriguez was as big of a goat in the game of baseball as any player. His slump through the 2006 playoffs caused the Yankees to fall out of the first round, according to fans at least, and his play during the season was average for his standards. In the 2007 season, however, A-Rod has answered all his critics, so far, by belting out homer after homer and leading a falling Yankees club to the playoffs.
With a chance to opt-out of his previously record-breaking deal this winter, A-Rod could be in the running for an even bigger paycheck. Early reports have said that his agent, Scott Boras, is looking for thirty million a year in salary for his client. Take a minute to think about that number. Thirty million dollars a season.
So is he worth it? Truth be told, it is hard to calculate how much financial worth Alex brings to a franchise. His name alone should sell more jerseys and team apparel. He should also bring fans to the ball park as he approaches the all-time home-run record, which he will. And if he can lead a team to the post-season, that just means more revenue will be coming in.
But what happens if he can’t take the team to the playoffs, like in Texas? What if the fans turn on him, like in New York? Is he still worth thirty million dollars? And can the team that signs him have enough flexibility to add marquee pitchers and other support too?
Overall, it is hard to imagine any athlete is worth this amount of money to any team. In my opinion, Rodriguez isn’t even really worth his current salary. Handicapping the team with an unproven, in the playoffs at least, superstar in his thirties just does not seem like a good idea. But what do I know?
