A-rod Could Return to NYY

Report: Yankees to offer A-Rod arbitration

Alex Rodriguez apparently could remain a New York Yankee yet.

According to a report in the New York Post on Wednesday, the Yankees are ready to reverse their position of not dealing with Rodriguez in free agency by offering the All-Star third baseman arbitration.

While it is unlikely Rodriguez would accept a one-year deal, that would be fine by the Yankees, who want to use arbitration to get something in return for the soon-to-be American League Most Valuable Player.

"It is about the two draft picks," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman told the paper. "By offering arbitration, we first-round pick of the team that signs him and a sandwich pick."

The Yankees have until December 1 to offer Rodriguez arbitration, which the player has until December 7 to accept or reject.

If he accepted, Rodriguez would surrender contractual benefits like his no-trade clause, but it would likely open the door to negotiate a new long-term deal with the Yankees.

The Yankees have said they would not attempt to re-sign Rodriguez after he opted out of the final three years of a 10-year, $252 million contract.

During the ongoing general manager's meetings in Orlando, several GMs have sounded reluctant to pursue Rodriguez given the sums - up to $350 million over 10 years - being suggested it will take.

However, Rodriguez's agent reportedly has meetings scheduled with the New York Mets and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim with the teams expected to discuss the parameters of a possible deal.