Blue Monday, indeed

Pinstripe blue, that is. Yes, I'll admit it, I'm not in a good mood this morning.

For all his talk of wanting to stay in New York, A-Rod and Boras didn't even give the Yankees a chance to keep the third baseman. That's fine, but a simple, "I think I can do better on the open market," would suffice.

Of course, I understand Boras' game. Scott needs bidders for Rodriguez, and if he negotiated with the Yankees for ten days, he runs the risk of scaring suitors away by rejecting a big offer. With the way the World Series played out, he also ran the risk of losing Boston as a bidder as they might decided to re-sign Lowell quickly. Now Boston gets to make a decision between having Mike for his decline or A-Rod setting records for eight years. They could even do both and move Alex back to shortstop!

And Boston is the key. If the Red Sox enter the bidding, it will be difficult for the Yankees to stay out. That could make the price for Alex very high. Of course, it could all backfire and both Boston and New York stay out. With the Mets having no need for Alex, what other team is going to spend the big bucks? Are Dodgers going to talk to Scott after Drew leaving? The Cubs ownership is up in the air. The Cardinals don't seem that eager to spend money now that they have a new park and a World Championship.

Hey, money talks, and Rodriguez has every right to pursue the biggest, longest contract he can. Still, the Yankees -- with the $10 million per year they're getting from the Rangers -- surely are the team that can offer the most money. But Boras clearly thinks John Henry's competitive juices will be flowing and Theo may be thinking Boston can cement the AL East for years to come with A-Rod at third or short. Still, the venom showered on Rodriguez up in Boston makes it hard for me to think he'll go there.

Oh, who am I kidding? We root for the uni. Red Sox Nation is no different.

And what's more, this may be Rodriguez saying that he thinks Boston is the best road to a championship ring next year.

He may damned well be right.

Now we'll see if the Steinbrenner boys will make good on their promise not to enter the free agency market for him.