Yankees To Pay A-Rod Regardless Of Suspension

Sep 21, 2013; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez (13) grounds out allowing a runner to score and a man to advance during the third inning against the San Francisco Giants at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

When New York Yankees’ third baseman Alex Rodriguez signed his 10-year, $275 million dollar contract back in December of 2007, a portion of his signing bonus was pro-rated. Regardless of the length of suspension that A-Rod faces when arbitrator Fredric Horowitz hands down his long-awaited decision, Rodriguez is guaranteed $3 million dollars from the Yankees on January 15th.

Rodriguez has been facing a 211-game suspension for his alleged use of performance-enhancing substances, along with interfering with Major League Baseball’s investigation of his involvement with Biogenesis, an anti-aging clinic in Florida. A-Rod’s name appeared on the client list of Anthony Bosch, who was the primary witness against Rodriguez and who worked with MLB and federal authorities.

Horowitz is expected to hand down his decision at any point now, and depending on the severity of the suspension, Rodriguez could be facing a massive financial hit, and could lose not only his entire 2014 salary, but a chunk of his 2015 salary as well if given the full 211-games. It was reported on this site yesterday, that a source close to A-Rod believes that depending on the length of Rodriguez’s suspension, he may be willing to take a shorter ban without filing an injunction to prevent said suspension if it means he can return to the field for the Yankees at some point during the 2014 campaign.

The Yankees off-season plans have been on hold, other than a handful of big name, big contract signings at the start of the winter. If A-Rod is out, and the season started now, the team would be looking at a platoon of Kelly Johnson and Eduardo Nunez at third base, with minor leaguer Dean Anna possibly getting a look during spring training as well. Late season pick up Mark Reynolds remains a free agent and is expected to sign elsewhere.

As for Rodriguez, even if he is suspended for any length of time, he has milestone bonuses that would most likely kick in, including when he reaches the 660 career home run plateau, which would give him $6 million dollars. A-Rod is six bombs shy of tying Willie Mays on the all-time list. Rodriguez’s legal team has the documentation prepared and ready to file an injunction to prevent a lengthy suspension is Horowitz sides with MLB in the case. A-Rod stormed out of the hearing earlier in the winter, after Horowitz ruled that Commissioner Bud Selig would not be compelled to testify at the hearing.