There is a clause written into Alex Rodriguez's notorious $252 million contract - the one he opted out of last month - that states he can't be offered arbitration at the end of the pact, meaning the Yankees couldn't reap compensatory draft picks when A-Rod signs with another team.
But the Yankees will get their picks, GM Brian Cashman said, because Rodriguez chose to opt out before the contract ended. The clause has sparked gossip in baseball circles recently, a baseball official said.
"MLB took a stance at the beginning, with the Rangers, that the clause would apply at the end, not if they terminate the contract early," Cashman said. "That was clarified at the beginning. (MLB) told us this early this summer, too. I have it in writing, so I'm not worried. Rob Manfred (MLB's executive vice president for labor relations and human resources) confirmed it to me. We can offer arbitration."
And will, Cashman said. The Yankees have until Dec. 1 to do it and Rodriguez has six days to accept or reject.
Rodriguez's agent, Scott Boras, has "not made an issue of it," a second baseball official said. Boras did not return calls or an e-mail seeking comment.