Is Boras right? Will you stop being a Yankee fan if A-Rod doesn't come back?

[rogue588]

So, according to Boras..

A-Rod's value to such a network, Boras said, was exemplified when YES' ratings stayed high early this year despite Yankees struggles because fans were drawn to Rodriguez's star power and historic start. Boras also said the Yankees never had drawn 4 million spectators before Rodriguez's arrival in 2004. Boras' point is that his client creates revenue in ad rates and at the turnstiles that should be factored into negotiations. He even invented his own acronym (IPN) to describe a player such as Rodriguez that he claims increases organization value via Iconic magnetism, historic Performance and Network value.

Is this true? Will you stop watching the games on YES if he doesn't come back? Will you stop going to Yankee Stadium (even when v2 opens up)? Were you only a fan because of A-Rod? Will you stop being a Yankee fan?

[Centerhero]

Don't be ridiculous. Once blue, always blue.

[Tabata]

Pinstripes for life!

[rogue588]

Don't be ridiculous. Once blue, always blue.

I know, you know, but someone needs to let Boras in on this...

[Reggievision]

I didn't stop following the Yankees when Graig Nettles went to San Diego, either.

[GregPolo]

You're kidding me, right? My parents named me after a Yankee! Once in blue pinstripes, always in blue pinstripes.

[JohnnyDamonfan]

Hell no! IMO if you stop watching after A-rod doesn't come back you are not a true fan. Yes, A-rod is one of the best players on the team and yes without him our 2007 would not be the same. So if A-rod doesn't come back I will be upset and I will be worried about 2008 A LOT. But, I would never become a fan of any other team EVER!.

[GoYanks]

Boras picked the wrong team to play that game with ... the fan base doesn't revolve around one player (and in the remote possibility that it did, that player probably wouldn't be A-Rod). Boras is clearly positioning A-Rod for a move.

[gregzzy22]

I was gonna pick the first option as a joke but its not even worth it. We won without him, we won with him and we'll win without again him if he doesnt want to come back.

[Tabata]

NYDCYankee

[b_joseph]

Ofcourse not...but there will be a lot of people that will.

[trappedinrsnation]

Ofcourse not...but there will be a lot of people that will.

That will leave more room for the rest of us then.

[Nome]

ARod has certainly been a major part of our offense. We led the majors in runs scored and led the AL in HR's, but ARod has never been on a team that won a WS ring. What good is all that offense if it doesn't bring wins. I don't look at ARod as bringing us back from our horrible start; it was the entheusiasm of the kids that made the difference.

Don't get me wrong, I think ARod is a great player and would love to have him back, but at Cashman's terms, not Boras's. ARod IS NOT a difference maker.

What we need to be a winner is to shore up our starting staff and rebuild our bullpen. We should get rid of complainers like Mussina.
Last year we were in the second half of MLteams in ERA. We gave away too many runs to be a consistant winner. Losing ARod would not be painful if we got some good #4 and #5 starters and a middle relief staff.

Andy

[BeantownYankee]

He must be confusing us with Sox fans...

[AJW]

Boras is an asshole!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Tabata]

Boras is an asshole!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Second.

[Billy #1]

If you dressed the Cleveland Indians in pinstripes and they were Yankees; I'd root for them.

It's all about the uniform and team to me; not the man.

They ALL are expendable!

[NewEraYanks2527]

Who the ................ does this guy think he is? A-Rod worth a billion? Yankee fans will abandon their team? Let's get realistic, if A-Rod signs somewhere else tomorrow I'll just be thinking about who the Yankees are gonna go after to be the difference maker...and oh yea I will boo A-Rod when he returns in whatever other uniform he has on. I hope I don't see that scenario but seriously, ................ you Boras you have no idea about fans apparently.

[ymike673]

I stayed a fan when Murcer was traded to the Giants. Why should A Rod leaving change anything

[yanksphan]

I'll become a Boras fan.

[TheBamTino24]

This is going to get ugly with Boras.

[Rob Rocco]

I think if Boras expresses that sentiment at the negotiating table he'll be laughed out of the room. Wasn't ARod only just accepted as a true Yankee by most of us this year?

Actually, I still don't. He's a talented mercenary, untill he commits to the Yanks for a long term contract.

Boras might understand the business of baseball, but he hasn't got a clue about Yankee fans.

[nyyfanatic85]

I understand that it is a business- and a vicious one at that- but Boras really is reaching here. I just have a hard time liking the guy.

[LuckyLopez]

Boras isn't talking about fans who were Yankee fans before A-Rod got here. At least not as best as I can tell. He's talking about people brought in by A-Rod. And he's not the first person to credit A-Rod with having a role in increasing revenue. In fact, didn't the Yankees make a big deal about how many season tickets were sold upon his being traded and how they hit $4M for the first time with him? Maybe the Yanks would have just got there the same way without him but it doesn't seem at all a stretch to say that A-Rod IS a draw and that the loss of him is a loss of revenue.

Obviously he's less of a loss to the Yanks then he would be to the Royals. And in the end it might not be a factor worth the Yanks worrying about. But it does seem to be a worthwhile negotiating factor for A-Rod. A-Rod is worth more to a team than just his on field performance. If the Yanks don't care about that, fine. But the other teams bidding will.

The fanbase has plenty of folks who wouldn't leave for anything. It also has plenty of new, casual, and bandwagon fans whose allegiance isn't quite as secure but whose money is just as good.

[elsupremo2]

I stayed a fan when Murcer was traded to the Giants. Why should A Rod leaving change anything

I'm with you. Folks like us (admittedly we're a minority) that remember an infield of Ron Blomberg, Horace Clarke, Gene Michael, and Celerino Sanchez aren't going anywhere. In fact, just thinking back on that crew, makes me feel pretty good about today and tomorrow too.

[ojo]

i go where arod goes.

[Babe Rules]

Boras has some talent...

[Dr. Gonzo]

that is one of the most ridiculous comments I have ever heard.

I love arod and want him to stay but that is because he helps my favorite team win.

[YankeePride1967]

There are a lot of Yankee fans that aren't A-Rod fans now.

[knickfan23]

Scott does realize that the Yanks won before Alex showed up? The Yanks will win in the future without Alex on the team. The show DOES go on.

If he doesnt resign, the Yanks will have to trade his offense for betting pitching and bullpen (which better be figured out by April). You can patchwork the offense for a couple of months before the trade deadline and then acquire that piece of offense in July. Beane did it when Giambi left Oakland after 2001. You dont "make up for him", you try to fill in his production from other sources. Perhaps Jeter has a better offensive year. Cano explodes. Melky improves. Abreu (if he's back) increases his production. There are different ways you can go about it. There is no one set model.

[forfun2328]

Um yeah I will really miss him CHOKING in post season @@ Go on with your bad self A-ROD. I have a close contact with someone involved in this, and even they are over him.

[hardrain]

I want A-Rod back, but if he leaves, you turn the page and hope the new guy works out. What can you do? I will always be a Yankee fan.

[destelle]

That is a ridiculous comment from Boras, although we shouldn't be surprised, he's positioning Alex for a big(ger) payday, should he opt out.
I am hoping Alex stays, but I won't be rooting for his new team should he decide to leave.
all the way!

[yanksphan]

can Boras play 3rd?

[SINCE77 2]

I admire the player but I am a born in the Bronx Yankee fan now and forever more. Thanks for the memories Alex.

[forfun2328]

Hey, IF A-Rod leaves, who would you want to replace him?

[4bronxbombers]

that is one of the most ridiculous comments I have ever heard.

I love arod and want him to stay but that is because he helps my favorite team win.

I agree.....and Boras is crafty. I'm sure this is all part of the plan to stir the pot.

[junkman73]

Hey, IF A-Rod leaves, who would you want to replace him?

Joe Crede...reminds me a lot of Brosius...great glove, more than adequate bat. No Arod, but not too many people are. And he woudn't cost much coming off an injury.

[forfun2328]

I would like to see a fresh face. Anyone follow the Somerset Patriots? They had a player that played 3rd base that was really good.

[YanksFanTillDeath]

Damn this guy is good but a P rick at the same time...!!!
Get ready for a fun Nov, this points that Alex is opting out...

[R.V.47]

Joe Crede...reminds me a lot of Brosius...great glove, more than adequate bat. No Arod, but not too many people are. And he woudn't cost much coming off an injury.

Crede is interesting, still young coming off a terrible year and the White Sox already have that Josh Fields kid to replace him so they dont really need him. We could get him for cheap but we would have to hope he returns to his 2006 form.

[poisonpill]

I was gonna pick the first option as a joke but its not even worth it. We won without him, we won with him and we'll win without again him if he doesnt want to come back.

Haven't won it ALL with him though -- nobody has.

[Mr. Mxylsplk]

Boras isn't talking about fans who were Yankee fans before A-Rod got here. At least not as best as I can tell. He's talking about people brought in by A-Rod. And he's not the first person to credit A-Rod with having a role in increasing revenue. In fact, didn't the Yankees make a big deal about how many season tickets were sold upon his being traded and how they hit $4M for the first time with him? Maybe the Yanks would have just got there the same way without him but it doesn't seem at all a stretch to say that A-Rod IS a draw and that the loss of him is a loss of revenue.

That's exactly right. A-Rod isn't the yankees, and the fanbase doesn't belong to him. And Boras isn't saying that. But A-Rod is a superstar people enjoy seeing, and he's a massive contributor to the team's success, and people enjoy seeing a successful team. He does contribute to the team's financial success, and Boras is correct to say that. Would A-Rod create a billion dollars of value for some team over the next decade? I don't think so, and I doubt Boras does either. He's doing what he does, providing spin and hyperbole to hype his asset. But he's certainly right that A-Rod's worth some pretty big number to whatever team signs him, and the yankees certainly know that without Boras telling them.

[Nome]

I would like to see a fresh face. Anyone follow the Somerset Patriots? They had a player that played 3rd base that was really good.

He was - for the Patriots. But I don't think Jeff Nettles would make it with the Yankees. Unless you meant Lipso Nava who played for them about a half dozen years ago. He wouldn't make it either.
They do have a middle reliever that could help us - that is, if he gave up his managerial job. Sparkey Lyle could still do better than half the relievers on our team.


Andy

[forfun2328]

That team is pretty good. Ahhh Sparky Lyle! Awesome!

[bostonyankeefan]

I like A-Rod and think that he is a once in a lifetime player, but it will take a lot more than A-Rod's departure for me to stop being a Yankee fan.

[Maynerd]

He played for a couple other teams before arriving in New York. He was an All-Star before ever suiting up in the Bronx. He won two MVPs in pinstripes, including a year truly for the ages. Unthinkable for him to play anywhere else, right Boras?

Not so much. I'm talking about Roger Maris, and I don't recall any Yankee fans staying away after Roger went to St Louis.

[forfun2328]

Great post Maynerd. Many others have had the same experience as well.

[BBombers85]

A player doesn't define the team. The team defines a player. I'm a fan of the team. A-rod doesn't make the team for me, but he is big part of it's success. No one can make me change what team I love.

[yankeesnumber1]

Boras is a moron and should be regarded as such