An article on Gronkiewicz discussing his role in the Olympic qualifications at USA baseball site... http://mlb.mlb.com/usa_baseball/article.jsp?story=gronkiewicz_102507

http://www.nypost.com/seven/10292007/sports/yankees/option_offense.htm

Christmas has come early for J.P. The 2008 season, already the make-or-break year for J.P. has just become the Yankees version of a rebuilding season. If the Jays ever have a shot at the post-season, next year is it.

In 2003, with A-Rod and his 22 million dollar salary, the Rangers were 71-91, scoring 826 runs. In 2004, without A-Rod, the Rangers were 89-73, scoring 860 runs. They also ditched Juan Gonzalez and Raffy Palmeiro after that '03 season, too. Of course, it didn't hurt that their pitching and defence shaved 175 (!) runs allowed between seasons.

In 2000, with A-Rod and a very reasonable 4.3 million dollar salary, the Mariners were 91-71, scoring 907 runs. In 2001, without A-Rod, the Mariners were 116-46, scoring 927 runs. Again, the team shaved a monstrous number off its runs allowed - 153, this time.

In both cases, teams drastically improved after ditching the brat that is A-Rod, including offensively.

Does ditching the jerk mean a team is going to improve? No, not necessarily. You've got to replace a single big (huge) hole in your lineup. Does ditching the jerk mean a team is going into rebuilding mode? No, not necessarily. In fact, evidence speaks to the contrary. ;)

Does ditching the jerk mean a team is going to improve? No, not necessarily. You've got to replace a single big (huge) hole in your lineup. Does ditching the jerk mean a team is going into rebuilding mode? No, not necessarily. In fact, evidence speaks to the contrary. ;)

There might be something to it or it might just be that those teams happened upon able bodied replacements at just the right time as well as making some important defensive changes.

In 2001, the Mariners added two big bats in Ichiro Suzuki and a much more unlikely source in Brett Boone.  A-Rod put up a 162 ops+ in 2000, Boone put up a 153 in 2001.  Boone was picked up practically for free and Suzuki as a somewhat pricey free agent.  They also replaced Jay Buhner in right field with the speed and arm of Suzuki which made a huge difference.  Meanwhile, the team also had a guy named Carlos Guillen to plug in at shortstop who wasn't yet a good hitter but was competent.  And perhaps the evidence suggests that the new middle infield of Guillen and Boone was better than A-Rod/McLemore/etc from the prior year.

For Texas, they had Teixeira come into his own and Blalock continue to produce.  Their outfield was in tatters in 2003 except for Juan Gonzalez who couldn't be considered much of a defensive player at that point in his career.  They found an outfield which wasn't star studded but significant improvement with Nix get most of the time in CF, Delucci in left, Mench in right.  They also had guys like Eric Young and Gary Matthews who put in solid seasons as part timers.  As a whole it was a big step up.  And they got Soriano back for A-Rod who isn't anywhere near as great offensively but who was still a lot better than the average 2B of the day. 

Ryan Drese and Kenny Rogers pitched full time the whole year and were winning pitchers.  Cordero took over closer from the inconsistent Urbina and the rest of the Rangers' pen really fell into line that year, much like the Jays' pen did this year.

So yes, while A-Rod left those teams it wasn't in a vacuum and the GMs made some very solid moves to counteract the effect, especially in Seattle bringing in two All-Star level players with only money.  And as we know now, the Rangers haven't won more than 80 games since that 89 win third place finish.  Seattle stayed at the 93 win mark the next two seasons but didn't make the playoffs and then fell right off the shelf the next three years (coinciding with Gillick leaving town).

Meanwhile, the team A-Rod went to has won 3 divisions and a wild card despite his presence.  If the Yankees go out and get Mike Lowell, it would certainly cushion the blow of losing A-Rod.  If they get Lowell and find a productive first baseman through free agency or trade, that could easily counteract losing A-Rod.

The point is that "losing" A-Rod does NOT imply a rebuilding phase. For ANYONE. Teams may get lucky with replacements, or spend a ton of cash elsewhere, or there may be something to A-Rod's effect on the rest of the team.

To assume that "this is the year" to get the Yankees is premature, at the very least.

I love Boras' quote explaining that A-Rod opted out because he didn't know if Rivera, Posada, and Pettite would be back:

"Alex's decision was one based on not knowing what his closer, his catcher and one of his statured pitchers was going to do," Boras said. "He really didn't want to make any decisions until he knew what they were doing."

(emphasis mine, because I think it's funny)

Why doesn't someone offer A-rod a one or two year contract?  Boras has always shown that he will get his clients to follow the money and free agency at any opportunity.  Any team that has a short window of opportunity for winning could offer him a 1 or 2 year deal for slightly more than the large offers that will undoubtedly come, and add a few large incentive bonuses to make it more enticing. 

Pedro Lopez = Rey Olmedo.

In other news, the Tigers have dealt 2 prospects to the Braves for SS Edgar Renteria

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3085675

I think the Yankees will likely stick Betemit over at 3B for next season and see what happens. 

Worst case scenario?  They are the front runners for the guy who is going to get the 3rd biggest (just smaller than both Arod deals) contract in MLB history, Miguel Cabrera.  Betemit is a better option than just about anyone on that list, save Lowell and A-rod.