CHICAGO -- Lou Piniella, who will be formally introduced as the new Chicago Cubs manager Tuesday afternoon, wants to acquire embattled -- and possibly available -- New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez.

Sources familiar with the situation told ESPN.com that Piniella, who is extremely close to Rodriguez, expects the Cubs to aggressively pursue the 10-time All-Star. The 63-year-old manager and the 31-year-old Rodriguez have what amounts to a quasi-father/son relationship; Rodriguez was managed in Seattle by Piniella from 1994-2000. It is that relationship -- and the tantalizing talent of Rodriguez -- that has prompted Piniella to want to explore a trade with the Yankees.

 

Despite the Yankees' insistence that they have no intention of trading Rodriguez, the former two-time American League MVP seems to have alienated fans and perhaps even teammates with his postseason failures. For the second consecutive year, Rodriguez failed to drive in a run and helped contribute to an early exit by the Yankees, most recently a 3-1 Division Series loss to the Detroit Tigers. In the final game of that series, Rodriguez was dropped to an unheard-of eighth in the batting order. He finished the series 1-for-14 with no extra-base hits and is 4-for-41 (.098) with no RBI in his last 12 postseason games.

 

Rodriguez has a no-trade clause and could veto any proposed deal. But the idea of playing for Piniella, in the slightly less-pressurized Chicago market, and for a franchise that loves star power could appeal to Rodriguez. So could a chance for a fresh start after a .290-35-121 regular season that wasn't good enough for Yankees fans.

 

For the Cubs, whose management experienced the rare and unnerving sight of empty seats at Wrigley Field this past season, the attraction of Rodriguez is obvious. He would immediately strengthen a lineup in dire need of power. He is normally an accomplished defensive player. And despite his postseason difficulties, he has a career .305 batting average and 464 career home runs in 13 major league seasons.

 

With the hiring of Piniella, it is understood that the Cubs will expand their payroll, which was close to $100 million in 2006. Depending on how much they want to spend, the Cubs are one of the few teams capable of taking on Rodriguez's salary. He is owed $95 million for the remaining four years of the landmark 10-year, $252 million deal, he signed with Texas. The Yankees are responsible for paying $66.6 million; the Rangers are paying the other $28.4 million.

 

A Cubs deal with the Yankees potentially could include third baseman Aramis Ramirez (career highs of 38 home runs and 119 RBI in the regular season), but Ramirez can opt out of his contract and become a free agent this offseason. It is thought the Yankees would also want a quality starting pitcher in any deal involving Rodriguez.

 

Piniella, who replaces Dusty Baker after the latter's four-season tenure in Chicago, agreed to a three-year deal, with a club option for a fourth, earlier Monday. He has hired most of his coaching staff and has decided, sources say, to retain Cubs pitching coach Admin Rothschild.

 

 

 

 

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the cubs are a lost cause. not worth it.

Zambrano for A-Rod, FTL

Zambrano for A-Rod, FTL

 

I mean besides that, what could the Cubs offer?

Yep, basically not that much.

 

Although, if Aramis opts out of his deal, and the Yankees can get him then the wheels may start moving. If the Yankees shop A-Rod it's going to be a long, long drawn out process as it was in '03.

 

The Yankees would be wise to move him if they can add another bat (which, they will be able to) as A-Rod is just gluttony and has little effect on their firm grasp of 1st place in the division and their ammount of wins.

 

Don't forget that the Yanks only went after A-Rod when Aaron Boone hurt himself (yes I know he wasn't great for them i nthe regular season) and after the Red Sox got involved. They got him because they could, not because they needed him to change the direction of the team.

 

Because of that if I was the Yanks I wouldn't be that opposed to a Prior deal, sure its a big risk but the guy has unreal talent and if he's healthy they help their pitching staff considerably and get younger. Add in a bunch of whatever the Cubs can whip up and it's not a bad move. Moves the bad apple out, changes the clubhouse, etc.

 

I also wouldn't mind A-Rod going to the Cubs, leading them to a title, and giving a big FU to the Yankees and their fans. It'd be hillarious.

There's too much wrong with the Cubs for ARod to be the panacea, and the Tribune is still very profit driven, so adding ARod would probably prohibitively handcuff their payroll relative to adding the other things they'll desperately need in addition to ARod.

 

Figure that as is, the Cubs need bullpen help (who doesn't) at least one more starting pitcher, but more likely two, and some form of power bat to go along with Aramis and DLee.

 

ARod comes in, Prior or Zambrano leaves possibly with Aramis. More holes open up and an assload of money is spent on ARod.

 

Would ARod probably be the MVP in Wrigley? Yeah, but ARod in Chicago is too much like ARod in Arlington for me...

Maybe they'll keep A-Ram and move A-Ros back to short, instead of fooling around with garbage like Izturis.

If A-rod played short, ramirez played third, would cedeno play second?

 

that'd be a pretty solid infield with lee also at first.

 

could the cubs use prior or wood as part of the package?

If A-rod played short, ramirez played third, would cedeno play second?

 

that'd be a pretty solid infield with lee also at first.

 

could the cubs use prior or wood as part of the package?

 

cant use Kerry Wood

If A-rod played short, ramirez played third, would cedeno play second?

 

that'd be a pretty solid infield with lee also at first.

 

could the cubs use prior or wood as part of the package?

 

cant use Kerry Wood

is he having TJ surgery?

If A-rod played short, ramirez played third, would cedeno play second?

 

that'd be a pretty solid infield with lee also at first.

 

could the cubs use prior or wood as part of the package?

 

 

If they can get him for Prior or Wood and keep Lee and Zambrano and Ramirez, this'd be done already.

 

Yankees won't nor should they move him for any less than Zambrano or Ramirez, if not both.

Wood is a free agent.

Wood is a free agent.

 

 

There's an option...?

 

Probably won't be picked up, but it's not an automatic thing he's going to be a free agent.

Pigs will fly before the Cubs pick up that 13.5 million dollar option.

Pigs will fly before the Cubs pick up that 13.5 million dollar option.

 

 

In a market where AJ Burnett can get $55 million and prices are expected to be even higher this year (Zito's alleged starting price: 6/$96), I wouldn't be shocked to see it go either way.

 

All it is is one year and money to a team that is awash in cash.

 

Is it money well spent? Probably not, but I don't think he's a slam dunk to get passed over.

It'd be ridiculous and they can buy him out for 3M and then re-negotiate something. He is going to be in the pen this year and no one in their right mind is going to pay that much money for a guy who can't stay helathy and is going to be in the bullpen.

 

That said, I wouldn't put it past the Cubs.

Pigs will fly before the Cubs pick up that 13.5 million dollar option.

 

o ok. wood's definetly gonna be a FA then.

 

If it'd take Zambrano and Ramirez for the cubs to get a-rod, I'd say no. Carlos and Aramis are worth more than a-rod is to the cubs.

The Cubs DONT NEED AROD TO COMPETE. They need to fix their bullpen, add cheap options, and they'll be a very crafty team.