A-Rod's NY exit helps Texas Rangers 10:39 AM CDT on Monday, October 29, 2007 From Staff and Wire Reports DENVER – Alex Rodriguez has opted out of his contract with the New York Yankees. Agent Scott Boras announced the decision during Game 4 of the World Series on Sunday. By exercising the "opt-out" clause in his contract, Rodriguez becomes a free agent. As a result, the Rangers would save about $21 million over the next three seasons. Under the terms of their deal when they traded Rodriguez to New York in 2004, the Rangers were to pay the Yankees approximately $7 million per year through 2010 to subsidize the contract. Rangers / MLB "It goes without saying that we'd welcome that news," general manager Jon Daniels said. "But until we hear officially, I'm not going to react to reports." Rodriguez originally signed a 10-year deal with the Rangers worth $252 million in December 2000. The contract, however, included an escape clause that allowed Rodriguez to take free agency after the 2007 season. He had until 10 days after the end of the World Series to notify the Yankees of his decision. Rodriguez forfeits the final $72 million in guaranteed salary. Boras said during a telephone interview with The Associated Press that Rodriguez made his choice because he was uncertain whether Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada and Andy Pettitte would return to the Yankees. "Alex's decision was one based on not knowing what his closer, his catcher and one of his statured pitchers was going to do," Boras said. "He really didn't want to make any decisions until he knew what they were doing." Boras said he attempted to notify Yankees general manager Brian Cashman of the decision Sunday but couldn't reach him, so he left a voice mail. "He was traveling, and I was traveling," Boras said. The Yankees, who had reportedly been preparing a proposed contract extension, have said they would not pursue Rodriguez if he opted out. They lose the Rangers' subsidy if Rodriguez voids his contract. Boras said the Rangers remain responsible for $3 million in annual deferred money A-Rod is owed in the next three years under the contract. The Rangers have asked Major League Baseball to inform them if it receives official notice of Rodriguez opting out, but on a Sunday night, with every MLB official at the World Series, it was unlikely the Rangers would hear from the league. Rodriguez, likely to win his third AL MVP award next month, made his decision before the Yankees announced a replacement for departed manager Joe Torre. Broadcaster Joe Girardi and bench coach Don Mattingly were the top contenders, and the team also interviewed first-base coach Tony Pena. Rodriguez hit .314 this year and led the major leagues in home runs and RBIs. Staff writer Evan Grant contributed to this report. http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/stories/102907dnspoarod.32895fc.html --

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