Why A-Rod Will Stay in NY

After another disappointing October there has been rampant speculation about the future of Alex Rodriguez in New York. For weeks Brian Cashman has insisted he wouldn't move his star third basemen. Today brought reports of A-Rod's agent Scott Boras affirming Cashman's claims. It has been suggested that Cashman's insistence was purely to drive up Rodriguez' trade value. Whether you believe them or not, believe this: A major reason Alex Rodriguez will be back in New York is Japanese ace Daisuke Matsuzaka.

Just a couple of days ago the Japanese ace and widely coveted free agent pitcher selected none other than baseball super agent Boras to handle his negotiations. One might suggest that it is impossible to believe that keeping an agent happy is of such priority to a major league team, but evaluate Boras' impact on the sport. Since his rise to prominence, he has almost single-handedly changed the face of the MLB Amateur draft. By continually urging his players to sit out a year or driving his clients demands through the roof, the draft is no longer done strictly on talent and potential. Signability has become a serious issue, brought on most notably by Boras clients such as Jered Weaver. By maintaining a good relationship with Boras and his high profile client Rodriguez, the Yankees would have an inside track on winning the rights to negotiate with Matsuzaka. As the Yankees learned, simply outslugging your opponents doesn't work in October and their pitching staff is in need of a boost.

As with other international stars Matsuzaka's Japanese team the Seibu Lions will basically hold a bidding war. All 30 MLB teams are to post bids and the highest will be allowed to attempt to sign him. This is common practice for prized international stars such as fellow countrymen Ichiro Suzuki and Hideki Matsui. The Yankees and Mariners are among several teams considered to be high rollers in the Matsuzaka sweepstakes. After he impressed many scouts on his run to most valuable player honors at the World Baseball Classic the 26 year old righty collected seventeen wins for the Lions. With the Yankees in such dire need of starting pitching they will be sure to break the bank in efforts to throw pinstripes on the young ace. Although he is a detestable figure in the landscape of MLB, as a "keep Alex in NY" guy I'm thanking my lucky stars Scott Boras represents these two potential key pieces to the Yankees championship hopes in 2007.