ARod Opts Out of His Contract...Is He Bad For Baseball?

So a day after the Boston Red Sox win their second World Series title in four years, they're not even the biggest story in sports...let alone baseball. Why you ask, because of one man, Alex Rodriguez, and his ill-timed decision to opt out of his contract with the Yankees. Rodriguez gave up $72 million he was owed over the final three seasons of his record $252 million, 10-year deal, which he signed with Texas before the 2001 season.

But what would you do if you were him? ARod had a career year with stats that clearly indicate that he is the best player in baseball; one who will eventually break Barry Bonds' home run record. He led the majors with 54 home runs, 156 RBIs and 143 runs scored. He's highly marketable, leading the majors in All-Star votes. Rodriguez could easily be paid over $30 million a season and no one would question if his numbers made him deserving of it. It's like a businessman who busts his tail in the office, puts up some big numbers and makes his company tons of money. That man would deserve a raise and he should be pissed if he didn't receive one. ARod is deserving of a raise, but he is not deserving of my praise or anyone's for that matter.

Alex Rodriguez is a man that likes to be liked. As a matter of fact, he wants to be loved by everyone, but what a way to just shoot yourself in the foot. No matter where he goes there will be people that hate him, whether in Seattle or Arlington (and now New York). He could have stayed in New York and people would have loved him for not opting out of his contract. He could've displayed an undying dedication to one team and fans would have worshipped the ground that he walked on. But now some team will have to give away a handful of talented players just to afford one man that seems to be bigger than his eventual team... and baseball. And what happens when his team isn't winning or when he hits 30 something home runs instead of 50 something? There will be fans that hate him for being greedy and unloyal and then there will be fans that hate him for underacheiving because in order to warrant any type of praise when you're the richest man in baseball you have to hit 100 home runs and win the World Series every year.

Word to the wise ARod: pick a team and stay there! Changing teams every four years without winning a championship will only frustrate fans. You'll leave a bad taste in their mouth and people WILL NOT like you. Yeah the fans in the city of your eventual team (Anaheim, San Francisco, L.A. or wherever) will love you until you get into a slump and everyone else on Earth will probably highly dislike you wherever you go. People will love to watch you for your talent, but they'll boo you for your selfishness. What does one do with their old ARod jerseys? And is it worth buying another one or is he going to play somewhere else in a week? That whole "I just want to be liked" mentality that you carry around with you will be out of the window, so don't even try to play the "Whoa is me card." Go to a new team and produce great numbers and never win a World Series title. My only two questions to you Mr. Rodriguez...What hat will you be wearing in the Hall of Fame and What team is retiring your jersey???