UPDATE: The Yankees and Alex Rodriguez have resolved the marketing bonus dispute. Here's the latest from Craig Calcaterra of NBC Sports' HardballTalk:
"Mr. Rodriguez and the Yankees have agreed that a total of $3.5 million in charitable contributions will be made by the Club, with $1 million going to the following charities that have long enjoyed the support of one or both: the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, the Boys & Girls Club of Tampa, and Pitch In For Baseball; and $2.5 million going to the MLB Urban Youth Foundation, which will use the money to further programs and initiatives aimed at increasing youth participation in baseball, particularly in urban areas. Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr. will determine the initiatives to be supported by the $2.5 million contribution after consulting with Mr. Rodriguez, and taking into consideration the focus of Mr. Rodriguez's past charitable contributions.
"Neither party will have any further comment on the specific terms of the agreement and both look forward to focusing their energies on winning another championship for Yankees fans."
Alex Rodriguez has notched a number of milestones this season to follow up his yearlong PED suspension. One of those historic moments was when he passed Willie Mays on the all-time home run list with his 661st career blast.
Once he tied Mays, the New York Yankees owed Rodriguez $6 million in what is considered a "marketing bonus." The two sides sorted out a marketing agreement at the same time Rodriguez signed his 10-year, $275 million contract with the team, and the separate pact would pay the slugger $6 million each time he tied a legend on the all-time home run list (Mays, Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron and Barry Bonds).
However, the Yankees said in the offseason they would not pay Rodriguez for achieving such milestones because they lost their marketing value due to his PED suspension and other off-field incidents the 39-year-old was involved in. The Players Union has since backed Rodriguez in the case, but now rumors suggest he and the Yankees may arrive at a compromise.
"Representatives for Rodriguez, the players' union and Yankees have been talking for weeks about a deal to redirect the $6 million bonus that Rodriguez was to receive for hitting his 660th home run, according to a marketing agreement between him and the club," FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reported.
"While no one has categorized a deal as close, one source involved in the talks said the parties recently had made 'quiet progress' toward an agreement and another expressed optimism that the matter would be amicably resolved."
Rosenthal said the "entire sum" would be donated to charities chosen by Rodriguez as well as Yankees principal owner Hal Steinbrenner and the potential compromise would only cover the first of the five possible bonuses.
Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reported a different scenario.
"One person familiar with the discussions said at some point they were involving a scenario whereby they'd 'split the difference,' a suggestion that the Yankees would pay about $3 million," with the other half going to charity.
The goal here is to avoid an arbitration hearing, which would bring negative media attention to both parties. New York has exceeded expectations thus far this season and A-Rod has been a pleasant surprise with his performance at the plate. Let's not forget about the favorable relationships he's had with his teammates, Yankees' fans and the media.
We'll be keeping updates on these discussions once more is known.
