Coincidence????? I think not.. AROD WILL BE A CUB.

I'm going out on a limb here and say *Arod will be in a Cubs uniform next year*. First read this article from foxsports.com-

I don't know the team. I don't know the terms. But I know this much: There is no way Alex Rodriguez would have opted out of his contract with the Yankees unless he and his agent, Scott Boras, knew they had a bigger score coming.

Boras doesn't act on impulse. He routinely hoodwinks owners because he outworks and outsmarts them. And even if he doesn't know exactly how this will play out — which I doubt — he surely has, uh, surveyed the landscape.

A-Rod opts out

Some will be outraged that Boras chose the final game of the World Series to drop his latest — and greatest — stink bomb. The more serious concern for baseball is the possibility that Boras already has shopped A-Rod to other clubs, winking and nodding if not outright tampering.
When baseball gets done with the Mitchell investigation, perhaps it can start another one. Fans seem to care little about which players used steroids. But they sure would like to know how Boras made $70 million magically appear for J.D. Drew from the Red Sox — and how he will make $300 million magically appear for A-Rod from the next Tom Hicks.

The thing is, Boras can't be stopped. Baseball can discipline clubs for making major announcements during the postseason, but not players and agents. As for tampering, baseball could hire everyone from CIA operatives to SWAT teams and still not prove that Boras did anything wrong.

So, Arte Moreno, is that you getting ready to make A-Rod an Angel? If not, the Tigers, White Sox, Dodgers and Giants could jump in, and don't forget those World Series champion Red Sox. Right about now, the Sox are probably feeling smug enough to think that they even could win a Series with A-Rod, who now trails Manny Ramirez, two rings to none.

The Red Sox's current third baseman, Mike Lowell was the World Series MVP. The team's fans lingered at Coors Field Sunday night chanting, "Re-sign Lowell!" and "Don't sign A-Rod!" But the possibility of striking a death blow against the Yankees no doubt appeals to certain sinister hearts in the Sox's braintrust.

The Yankees reportedly were prepared to offer Rodriguez a five-year extension in the range of $140 million, bringing his total package to eight years and a possible $230 million.
And Rodriguez chose to opt out anyway — without even negotiating!

Boras, ever the facilitator, says that he is open to continuing talks with the Yankees. Yet, he knows full well that the Yankees repeatedly have said that they would end discussions if A-Rod voided the final three years of his contract, which included a $21 million subsidy from the Rangers.

Rodriguez, Boras says, was unwilling to commit to the Yankees when the status of the team's top three potential free agents — catcher Jorge Posada, closer Mariano Rivera and left-hander Andy Pettitte — was unlikely to be resolved before his opt-out deadline.

That deadline was 10 days after the conclusion of the World Series, not in the middle of the clinching game, but details, details. The uncertainty of the Yankees' ownership transition also influenced A-Rod's decision, Boras says. And, lest anyone forget, the team has yet to name its new manager.

Maybe A-Rod, like many of us, thinks the manager still should be Joe Torre. Without question, his concerns about the state of the Yankees are valid. But if he truly wanted to stay in New York, he would have accepted the Yankees' offer of a meeting, questioned the Sons of Steinbrenner about their plans, then made a decision.

Instead, it's game on.

Boras and A-Rod not only crashed the World Series, but also the announcement of the Yankees' next manager, which could occur on Monday. If Joe Girardi is the Yankees' choice, maybe he'll want to reconsider. His team just got a whole lot worse, and other defections are possible.
Lowell hit the jackpot Sunday night, becoming World Series MVP on the same night the Yankees lost their third baseman. The Rangers also hit the jackpot, getting a $21 million payback from Boras in return for their original $252 million commitment. But the biggest jackpot is coming, and you-know-who is going to get it.

If the deal isn't done, it will be.

Soon.

Ken makes a great point. There is no way Arod opts out without a suitor waiting by, so could that be the Cubs??? I say Yes and here is why-

1. Arod has always considered Lou as a father figure. They talk everyday and Arod said his best times were in Seattle with Lou. That just makes sense.

2. The Cubs are looking for another big splash in the Free Agent market regardless of who owns the team. They could offer the power hitting HOFer something alot of teams wouldn't risk, by playing him at SS. A place where Arod is a gold glove winner.

3. The Cubs are contenders next year and many years down the road. Its impressive when a team goes from worst to first and with addition to Arod makes them a lock to be in playoffs for years to come. Something Boras and Arod are looking for.

4. With the news of the Tribune Co putting off selling the cubs until a later date actually benefits a deal with the cubs. Before the new owner is chosen, the Tribune Co could have ownership options in the contract for Arod.. That way any form of selling the cubs will include Arod as a part owner in the Cubs regardless who owns the Cubs. This means when they do sell the Cubs, there selling Arod as a part owner and player which can look pretty good from an owners stand point.

5. The rumor a while ago that the cubs were in talks with Boras about Arod coming to the Cubs and having a part in the Oraganization after his contract didnt come from nowhere. Boras had to quickly dismiss the hot rumor because tampering issues. Something tells me the rumor was fact and that is why Arod opted out of his contract.

6. If the Cubs do sign Arod and put something in his contract where money is deferred to part ownership they wont have to pay him 30-35 million a year over 8 years. They can pay him 20-25 million over 8 years with alot of money deferred to have part ownership in the team. Saving the cubs $$ to make other deals. Its just makes since.

7. If the Cubs do offer and ownership in his contract there is not a team out there that can match the offer the Cubs have on the table. And in that case Ken Rosenthal is right in saying there is a contract on the table and a deal will get done "SOON."