A-Rod's NY State of mind...

Of course A-Rod is not going to opt out of the last three years of his historic contract. And the Yankees don't want him to. Say what you want about A-Rod's "short-comings," or his postseason failings- but he just may be the best bargain in baseball. He's not going anywhere anytime soon. Why? Here's what we know:

1. A-Rod will put MVP caliber, if not more-than-solid numbers season in and season out. Mark him down for .300, 35 & 120. You can't question the guy's love for the game, or his dedication- you could in fact argue he cares too much.

2. The Yanks paid three guys more than A-Rod to play ball last year. While that may change slightly next year with Mussina's new contract, the Yankees have to agree that thanks to the Texas Rangers, they are getting this guy at a discount. Speaking of discounts...

3. Even in today's free-agent market, no one- not even A-Rod, will get A-Rod money. Which means leaving New York on his own accord means A-Rod will take a pay cut. He is too smart, and has too much pride to do that. And the Yankees know that trading A-Rod would cost them in another way. There is no way the Yanks could possibly get trade value for a guy of his stature, even if he is in a so-called decline. A-Rod for a couple pitching prospects? Not bad for an aging Gary Sheffield, not for Alex Rodriguez.

Bottom line here, no one wants to take a discount on this one. The Yanks are not going to come out and say they want one of the best players ever off their team. A- Rod is not going to say he wants off the one the most prestigious franchises in sports. Maybe it's posturing on both sides, to increase value, but I don't think so. I think they both know they are stuck with each other. And not for worse. It's not too often a no-win situation could produce more winning.

* * * * * * *
OH, AND...

The Red Sox officially lose the right to complain about the Yankees' lack of frugality. Theo Epstein's remarks about it not being financially feasible to put out an "uber-lineup" don't hold much weight when the Sox brass are willing to shell out cash enough to field an entire roster, for one unproven 26 year old. Their $51.1 million bid, together with a projected 3 year deal at around $12-13 million per could take us into the neighborhood of $29-30 million per year of actual cost on Mr. Matsuzaka. A-Rod money and then some.