That said, should Alex Rodriguez just pack up his needles….err.. toys and go home? It really might not be such a bad idea. Think about it for a moment.

As it stands right now, America and the Yankees are pissed. Yankee fans in particular. The Yankee fans are known to have a short memory, however, and a great start to 2009 would make them forget the steroids in a heartbeat. Now, with Alex having a serious injury, the chances of that happening is slim and none. Regardless of how great he might be with or without HGH, Rodriguez would have to be affected mightily by this injury.

Sure, others have played through the injury. Chase Utley most recently pulled it off and even helped the Phillies to the World Series Championship. The difference here is that Utley was not expected to be great like Arod. Utley did not have to play under the glare of the brightest spotlight in the world. Utley is not Alex Rodriguez. Arod is not going to be able to fly under the radar as Utley was afforded last season for much of the year.

If Alex Rodriguez went home and got the surgery, he could then come back when the injury is healed. This would also allow for the ever loving Yankee passage of time. The roids would get to be old news, and the great Arod could retake his throne as the man that will be the difference for the Yankees once again. Of course this is assuming that Alex does not have more skeletons in his closet that might pop out in 2010……Oh never mind.

Let Alex play hurt. Let the Yankees hate on him for a good long year. Let them self implode from the inside out. It will be good for baseball, and good for Alex. He deserves the punishment after all. Nobody deserves a torn labrum, mind you, but it is ironic is it not? A torn labrum right where the needle likely went in? Maybe the baseball Gods such as Ruth, Mantle, and Maris was sending Alex a sign.

While certainly one can understand the business side of this issue for both, this does seem to be splitting apples and oranges here. The Dodgers are likely trying to spread out the money to make room for other players, signings, and potential business ventures. Manny wants to make sure their are no complications in two years when he wants to try to make another splash with yet another team. Manny should absolutely take this deal, as he is not likely to get a better one on the market. Most teams can not afford 45 million over two years for him. Surely he knows this, and the Dodgers do as well.

The simple compromise might be found in the details. The Dodgers could offer Ramirez some interest but with the terms still deferred over time. That seems fair to both sides but it is likely Ramirez would still nix the deal. The issue with Ramirez I believe is that he wants to be free and clear after the two year period. With lingering money being owed, it could hamper his plans for after that year. Ramirez likes to operate from a position of power. No better example of this can be found than right now.

Every single time the Dodgers put an offer on the table to Ramirez, he balks at something. I am beginning to wonder if he even wants to sign with the Dodgers. There is always that possibility that he is holding out hope for some huge deal. Maybe he is avoiding signing to get out of spring training. This scenario is very unlikely because Manny has always been a hard working player. The workings of Manny and agent Scott Boras are a mystery to everyone involved. The fact that Manny put the offer on the table back to the Dodgers for the same amount without the deferred money pretty much shows that he is trying a power play. The Dodgers would be crippling themselves potentially by committing those types of funds to one player in such a short period of time. They need flexible terms, and Manny is not exactly flexible.

Here is a thought. Just send him to the Yankees and move on. They can certainly afford him, and he would fit right in.