I know this subject has been beat to death so far this season, but I had a friend put a whole new spin on it for me this weekend.  The subject is the A-Rod opt out stuff...here is the scenario.

Facts:

1.  A-Rod is one of the best players of all time and is on pace to break the HR record and several other records.
2.  He will get more guaranteed money at age 31 than he will at age 34 which makes it increasingly likely he will opt out.
3.  The Yanks can extend him and still get him for 16 Million for the next 3 years which should be illegal when Zito just got 18 Million.

Now, we have all seen how he has started out the season - white hot and he is even fielding the ball well.  But what if, What If, WHAT IF.....he won the Series with the Yanks this year (got his ring), opted out to become a free agent in a market where the #2 FA at 3B is Lowell, the Yanks do not extend his contract and lose in a bidding war, and he goes to another team in the AL East that

1. can afford him
   
2. had him in a trade before it was nixed by MLB
3. has an opening at 3B
   
4. could provide loving fans
   
5. where he can break it off in every Yankee fan that booed him.

Even if we signed a STUD SP, if we let A-Rod walk,  he will be impossible to replace and could be a thorn in our side for years to come.  If would be a reverse Damon in that they get better and we get worse...a lot worse.

I think we need to bend Cashman's rules a little and add 3-4 more years onto his deal.  Then we still get him at a deal for 3 more years and keep him off of the FA market.  

Thoughts?