Originally posted by klydon1: Remember ARod has the right to veto any trade and there have been several reports that he has no interest in playing for the Cubs. The Yankees can only negotiate in good faith with only those teams that ARod would agree playing for.
Apparently, ARod's primary interest is getting a championship and proving he can deliver in the post season, and the Cubs are nowhere near challenging for the play-offs. It doesn't matter that Piniella is with the Cubs. Moreover, Zambrano is the Cubs' only dependable starter, and pitching is their greatest need. Essentially, the Cubs do not become a better team by getting ARod and losing Zambrano.
With ARod's no-trade clause, the list of teams, to which he may be dealt, is very limited. These teams know it, meaning that it would be a buyers' market for his services.
True, but both Boras and Cashman should be able to convince A-Rod to get rid of that - it isn't a good situation in New York, and he basically needs to start fresh. If he goes to an up-and-coming team, like the Cubs, who are only missing a few pieces, they could likely convince him that with less pressure in Chicago and the atmosphere being different in Wrigley, along with Pinella, he'd be better off in Chitown.
As far as Zambrano goes, I think that they could still finaggle a deal...Ramirez for A-Rod alone isn't going to do it, and neither Wood nor Prior are reliable starters...maybe the Yanks would have to toss in something else, but I'm sure it could be done, especially since Pinella and the Yankees are on good terms.
But A-Rod (and the Yankees) are just putting on the public face - of course they're "committed" to A-Rod staying in NY and A-Rod won't waive his trade clause - the offseason hasn't begun yet really. Believe me...I'm 99.9% sure that they're doing all they can to move Rodriguez.
