Both the San Francisco Chronicle and San Jose Mercury News would have you believe it. Each paper wrote articles Sunday suggesting that the Giants would pursue Alex Rodriguez after the season should the potential free agent exercise his opt-out clause. Tim Kawakami in the Mercury News writes[Giants executive vice president Larry] Baer didn't in any way shove me from the possibility that the Giants would be a top suitor for a player like A-Rod, who is expected to exercise an opt-out clause and become a free agent after this season.In addition, the Giants should have plenty of money available to spend on free agents after the year. The Barry Bonds, Armando Benitez, Pedro Feliz, Omar Vizquel, and Mike Matheny contracts are all due to come off the books, freeing up around $35 million. A-Rod is owed $81 million over the next three years, but the Rangers are picking up about $30 million of that total. It's also worth noting that Yankees GM Brian Cashman has said the Yanks are not interested in talking about a contract extension for A-Rod. With Vizquel's contract expiring, the Giants could conceivably consider moving A-Rod back to shortstop.
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That's more than a subliminal message. There's also this: The Giants reportedly inquired about trading for A-Rod last winter and were rebuffed.
Should the Giants bid Bonds adieu after the year, A-Rod would certainly provide the star power and marquee name that they would otherwise be lacking.
Previously at FanHouse:
The Yankees Won't Be Interested If A-Rod Opts-Out
Alex Rodriguez Wants to Stay With the Yankees, Or So He Says
