Mr. Business

Let's get something clear about Alex Rodriguez. He's not returning to the New York Yankees for the following reasons:

1.) He's a True Yankee.
2.) He's comfortable in New York.
3.) He understands what it means to wear pinstripes.
4.) He wants to prove his worth to the fans.
5.) He always wanted to be a Yankee.
6.) He thinks New York is the best place to play baseball.
7.) He came to his senses.
8.) He's a Yankee at heart.

The reason -- the only reason -- Rodriguez will be wearing pinstripes for the next 10 years is because the New York Yankees are willing to pay more money for his services than any other team. That's it. Simple. Straightforward. Fact.

Understanding this reason is important since most every sports journalist will turn this story around to make it seem like Rodriguez always wanted to play for the Yankees, that he loves New York and that he's a True Yankee. While it may sound good or make for a nice story, it's completely incorrect.

This whole scenario played out rather predictably. Alex Rodriguez, the best hitter in Major League Baseball, chose to maximize his current value by opting out of his contract. He and agent Scott Boras felt that Rodriguez could command a larger salary by testing the free agent market. There's absolutely nothing wrong with this.

After inquiring with all potential suitors, Rodriguez realized one team could pay more than any other -- the Yankees. He then contacted the Steinbrenners, traveled with his wife down to Florida and ironed out a contract. End of story.

But, as usual, stupidity has overtaken common sense in the world of sports journalism.

Buster Olney said Rodriguez was a true Yankee at heart in his online article this afternoon. The New York Times' George Vecsey declares that the Yankees should "treat A-Rod like he treated the Yankees." Fellow Times' writer Murray Chass mocked Rodriguez for "finally coming to his senses" weeks later. And on ESPN's morning programming, the question was asked, "Who are the winners and who are the losers in the A-Rod saga?"

There is so much idiocy happening at once that my head may explode.

First, Rodriguez is not a "Yankee at Heart" because he returned to their team based solely on money, not love. If he truly wanted to ensure that he stayed a Yankee, Rodriguez would have met with Hank Steinbrenner and General Manager Brian Cashman before opting out of his contract. The Yankees pushed to have first shot at settling a contract with Rodriguez. But Rodriguez wouldn't agree to preemptive talks, and instead put himself on auction for all 32 Major League clubs. Again, there's nothing wrong with this. But it does illustrate that Rodriguez could care less about the Yankees; he just wanted the optimal monetary contract.

Second, the Yankees should not shun Rodriguez or make him sweat out a contract deal, as Mr. Vecsey demands in his article. If the Yankees are smart (and they are) they will sign Rodriguez as quickly as humanly possible so other teams don't decide to engage in a bidding war and to ensure they have the single best baseball player on their team for the foreseeable future.

This isn't rocket science. It doesn't matter what you think about Rodriguez -- that he's a jerk or a choker (not true) or a womanizer (probably true) or a very greedy man. All of those opinions don't change the fact that he can hit a baseball better than any other person on Earth, and probably Mars, Venus, Saturn and the rest of the planets. Why wouldn't you want the very best asset in your company or the top salesman in your firm? Who cares if the guy makes you uncomfortable? He's better at his job than anyone else in the industry. He makes your company better. He probably makes you look better. Not wanting someone like this on your team is ridiculous.

Finally, you have to hand it to ESPN. Just when you thought they couldn't bring any less relevance to sports journalism, they pop this doozy of a question earlier today.

"Who is the biggest loser in the A-Rod situation -- A-Rod, the Yankees or Scott Boras?"

Hmm. Let's see here. A-Rod will now make $275 million during the next decade. He'll make $300 million if he breaks the all-time home run record. The New York Yankees locked up the best player in baseball for the next 10 years, can market him all over the world, will likely draw even larger audiences during Rodriguez's pursuit of the all-time home run and all-time hits records, and kept him from going to a rival. Boras didn't even have to attend the meeting and instead stayed home, ate some Fruit Loops, watched The Price Is Right and pocketed roughly $27 million before taxes.

I'm going to be bold here and say that none of those three lost. In fact, I'd venture to go as far as saying all three parties made out pretty darn well.

So, to recap, Rodriguez didn't care who he played for as long as that team paid him more than any other team. Rodriguez is the best hitter in baseball and every fan who knows anything about baseball should want Rodriguez on his or her team. And all three parties involved in the contract negotiations were humongous winners.

Now when you read or hear all the crappy journalism that will follow this story, you'll know the facts.

This wasn't about love. It was strictly business.