It sounds like the New York Yankees and Alex Rodriguez are close to shaking out a compromise regarding the slugger's $6 million dollar home run bonus each party has been contesting — and the real winner here might be both sides.
According to Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal, a report claims the Yankees and A-Rod are making "quiet progress" toward finalizing a resolution over the money and plan to donate the money to charity.
But the legal eagles from both corners are still worried the deal might break down and that they might find themselves in arbitration after the season, the report said.
The charities to receive the cash would be picked by Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner and Rodriguez, it added.
Rodriguez was set to receive the $6 million when he tied Willie Mays' 660 home runs for No. 4 on the all-time list May 1. The payment was spelled out in a 2007 marketing agreement that also said A-Rod would also get $6 million for reaching each of the following home run milestones: tying Babe Ruth at 714, Hank Aaron at 755, Barry Bonds at 762, and then for passing Bonds.
But that deal was struck was before A-Rod's one-year suspension for steroid use and the contentious and litigious attitude he took against the organization last year.
The Yankees have insisted they aren't obligated to pay Rodriguez. According to a portion of the contract the Yankees released, the only the team can decide whether to initiate the contract, and it hasn't intended to do that.
After hitting the Mays-tying home run in Boston, Rodriguez waited 45 days — the timeframe for A-Rod to file a grievance for the Yankees' nonpayment. But the sides then agreed to postpone the deadline so a deal could be struck.
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