A-Rod to Yanks: We'll Negotiate After Season

Sizzling slugger refuses to talk contract until season ends
By Max Brallier,  Newser User
Posted Jul 13, 2007 5:00 AM CDT
A-Rod to Yanks: We'll Negotiate After Season
New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez fields a ball during warmups before a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays Thursday night July 12, 2007 in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)   (Associated Press)

Alex Rodriguez told the Yankees yesterday he's not ready to negotiate a contract extension, a day after the Yankees broke from tradition and said they'd be open to talks before the season ends. A-Rod has 3 1/2 seasons left on his record $252 million contract, but can opt out at season's end.

The Yanks would like to avoid seeing A-Rod test the free-agent market, where they run the risk of losing him to another organization. The Yankees have struggled mightily this season and A-Rod, who's in the midst of rebounding from a sub-par 2006 season, says his decision stems from wanting to focus all his energy on winning baseball games. (More baseball stories.)

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