Alex Rodriguez set another record for baseball's highest contract, finalizing his $275 million, 10-year agreement with the New York Yankees yesterday.
A-Rod set the previous mark with his $252 million, 10-year deal with Texas in December 2000. Traded to the Yankees in 2004, he opted out of that contract Oct. 28.
Yankees senior vice president Hank Steinbrenner said New York would not negotiate further with Rodriguez.
But Rodriguez then approached the Yankees through a managing director at
"It seemed like the whole thing was a roller coaster. It was very emotional," Rodriguez said on a conference call. "All along, I knew I wanted to be a Yankee."
The three-time MVP said opting out was "a mistake that was handled extremely poorly."
Rodriguez said Boras gave him the impression the Yankees weren't interested in bringing him back, which surprised him.
"Our goals were not aligned," Rodriguez said.
Red Sox sign eight
The Red Sox signed eight free agents to minor league contracts and invited them to spring training as non-roster players.Agreeing to terms were righthanders Scott Atchison and Lee Gronkiewicz; catcher Kevin Cash; and infielders Jeff Bailey, Tony Granadillo, Keith Ginter, Joe Thurston, and Gil Velazquez.
Blue Jays land Eckstein
Shortstop David Eckstein agreed to terms with the Toronto Blue Jays on a one-year, $4.5 million contract. He batted .309 for the Cardinals last season . . . The Minnesota Twins and shortstop Adam Everett agreed to terms on a one-year contract, a day after he was non-tendered by the Astros.
