I have heard unconfirmed reports about the Yankees having to unload Rodriguez's full 25m contract (i.e., Texas's obligations are null and void) in a potential trade?

Any confirmations on this? This would seem to be a massive obstacle to a trade.

Meh, it was only a matter of time (in this case about 10 seconds) before those rumors started to come out. Seems more like logic being used by a spectator rather than anything based on actual fact.

I mean Piniella, A-Rod's former manager, possibly wanting him back while countless Yankee fans want him gone? I mean who came up with that idea? </sarcasm>

Just for the record, if a deal ever WERE made here, I wouldn't accept anything less than Aramis Ramirez AND Carlos Zambrano.

Forgive me if this speculation brought on about by ESPN's "familiar sources with the situation" sounds a bit like "Soriano to the White Sox" to me.

Would never happen! Zambrano is the only pitcher the CUBS have. Lou said he wants to win now, Cubs biggest concern is pitching. Why trade your only pitcher?

I want Alex to stay in pinstripes!

lol Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying a trade like that would really go through. It's more to make the point that if we had to trade him we'd have to get quality pitching in return, and as you said, Paul, that's all the Cubs have.

All of this "Trade A-Rod talk" is going to go on all winter and most people don't seem to realize that even if the Yankees desperately wanted to get rid of him, how nearly impossible it would be for the Yankees to unload that contract and get something of nearly equal value in return or how hard it would be for a team who wants him to land him. I think the only team that could afford a deal for him already has him.

I don't think the Cubs have anything to satisfy the Yankees in a trade. Unless they're willing to give up Zambrano AND Rich Hill. Or Zambrano and Ramirez (and Ramirez has an option to opt out of his contract this year with the Cubs and declare free agency, so he might not be theirs to even trade)... I don't see it happening.

The Angels are the best place for A-Rod to land. They have money, tons of young pitching (like Ervin Santana and John Lackey) and young infielders (like Dallas McPherson and Howie Kendrick). Plus Arte Moreno reportedly likes A-Rod.

A-Rod for Santana, McPherson, and some lower prospects wouldn't be a bad trade. (or Santana, Lackey and prospects perhaps)

Please, please, STOP!

A-Rod is NOT going to be traded to the Cubs (or to any other team?). He gave up what he gave up to go to the Yankees. Why go to the Yankees? He wants a world series ring. He didn't believe he was going to get one in Texas. What makes anyone think A-Rod believes he would win a world series ring with the Chicago Cubs?! The Cubs would have to give up their pitching!

Ramirez more than likely won't stay. Ramirez knows A-Rod cannot pitch.

Rightly or wrongly, A-Rod is a prideful person. I don't believe he can admit defeat by leaving the Yankees. A-Rod says he is part of the solution for the Yankees to 'win it all'.

When I stop and think about it, it would be easier for A-Rod to stay with the Yankees and the Yankees obtain some quality pitching rather than A-Rod going to a different team and that team having to obtain the parts necessary to win the world series.

A-Rod stays.

Comments?

I dont think the Cubs have enough talent to attain A-Rod. Aramis is a bad fielder who can opt out of his contract, I also have NO interest in Zambrano, he coule easily post a 5 ERA in the AL. Anyone who walks 100 people in the NL is a danger. I dont want to see him pitching in the AL.

@Richard: I'm not convinced that A-Rod will be traded, but what exactly did he "[give up] to go to the Yankees"? His mammoth salary from the Rangers is intact, as is his blanket no-trade clause. About all he gave up was playing for a terrible team to play for a good one.

Now maybe playing for a winner is something he won't want to give up now, but that's another reason why the Angels are a better fit than the Cubs.

If there is a trade to be made, you won't here that from Cashman or A-Rod until it happens. The "he's not going anywhere" rhetoric is just as easily a bargaining tool as it is legitimate sentiment.

"Rightly or wrongly, A-Rod is a prideful person. I don't believe he can admit defeat by leaving the Yankees. A-Rod says he is part of the solution for the Yankees to 'win it all'."

I agree Richard. As sensitive as the guy is, I don't think he would ever admit to himself that this whole thing just never worked out. If he were to leave now, even if he had success somewhere else, he'd still be looking back at these Yankee years (or just this year really) as would an entire city of 9 million people.

Josh, what did A-Rod give up?
Playing shortstop and being thought of as the number one player on the team are two things I can think of off the top of my head. I could think of more reasons but I don't want to take the chance of thinking too hard, I might hurt myself.

So, "About all he gave up was playing for a terrible team to play for a good one." remains highly suspect.

Discussing 'better fits' can be done 'till the cows come home' so I personally don't wish to milk it to death.

"If there is a trade to be made, you won't here that from Cashman or A-Rod until it happens." is right on. Correct. That's why until that 'if' receives an incredible amount of massaging, I'll stand by my original entry.

Josh wrote:"he's not going anywhere" rhetoric is just as easily a bargaining tool as it is legitimate sentiment. Correct again, and not just because I said it first. And it makes neither any less accurate. Remember what I said about that 'if'?

P.S.
If the Yankees sign the much sought after pitcher from Japan, do you still think A-Rod would be traded? I don't think so either.