Alex Rodriguez was speaking on a conference call.
"A huge debacle," he said. "Distasteful."That was on Dec. 13, 2007, when he re-signed with the New York Yankees and was discussing his decision 1 1/2 months earlier to become a free agent.Now those words describe how some in the team's front office feel about A-Rod's $275 million, 10-year contract.Once considered a player who could shatter the career home run record, Rodriguez has transformed from All-Star to annoyance for some in the Yankees organization. He hasn't played a full season since he was voted his third AL MVP award in 2007, he's out for at least the first half of this year following hip surgery on Jan. 16 and now he's been accused of again receiving performance-enhancing drugs -- an allegation he denies.Even before the charges were published Tuesday by the alternative weekly Miami New Times, some Yankees executives were wishing Rodriguez would just go away.And they have a big incentive for A-Rod to disappear. If he doesn't play again due to a career-ending injury, about 85 percent of the $114 million he's owed by the team would be covered by insurance, according to one of the executives who spoke on condition of anonymity.New York also might be able to free itself from having the $27.5 million average annual value of Rodriguez's contract count in its luxury tax payroll in each of the next five seasons, a key factor as the Yankees try to get under the $189 million threshold in 2014.If Rodriguez is on the disabled list, his contract is included. But if he's on the voluntary retired list, it would not be part of the total.Briefly Yankees: The team is speaking with the agent for free agent Travis Hafner and might try to sign the 35-year-old to compete for time as a left-handed designated hitter. Hafner spent the past decade with Cleveland and hit .228 with 12 homers and 34 RBIs last year. Mariners: Shawn Kelley and Mariners have agreed to a $935,000, one-year contract that avoids salary arbitration. Kelley gets a raise from $610,000 last season, when the right-handed reliever went 2-4 with a 3.25 ERA in 47 appearances. Mets: Shaun Marcum officially signed Wednesday and said during a conference call his goal is to pitch "200-plus innings." That's been tough for the oft-injured right-hander. Marcum's one-year contract will pay him $4 million in salary. Diamondbacks: Arizona finalized its $5 million, two-year contract with shortstop Cliff Pennington. The deal, which avoided salary arbitration, was agreed to Jan. 23 and completed Wednesday.
Subtract Nelson Cruz from the Rangers' opening day lineup
Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz tied to performance-enhancing drugs
List of athletes reported as clients of South Florida clinic
Rangers first baseman Mitch Moreland out to prove he's a complete hitter
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