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Rodriguez 'pretty firm' about becoming free agent

Associated Press

PEORIA, Ariz.-Alex Rodriguez says the Seattle Mariners shouldn't even think about offering him a contract extension this spring.

"I'm pretty firm on that," the All-Star shortstop, eligible for free agency after the season, said yesterday. "I want to wait until the year's over. I'd like to give myself the whole year. I want to keep my options at the end of the year."

Following the trade of Ken Griffey Jr. to Cincinnati earlier this month, the Mariners said they wanted to try to re-sign Rodriguez, who is making $4.2 million in the final year of his contract.

Because he's just 24, some baseball executives and agents have speculated Rodriguez could get a $200 million, 10-year deal on the open market.

"These next six months I really want to focus on baseball," Rodriguez said. "I think they'll honor my request."

Mariners chief executive officer Howard Lincoln declined comment and general manager Pat Gillick was unavailable.

As recently as Monday, Gillick was optimistic that a deal could be struck with Rodriguez and his agent, Scott Boras. The next meeting between the two sides could come as early as Wednesday.

"It would be a shame to spend the whole year talking about my contract," Rodriguez said.

Last, despite getting hurt on opening day and missing 32 games, Rodriguez hit .285 with 42 homers and 111 RBIs.

"I feel like I didn't play up to my potential last year and I want to redeem myself," Rodriguez said.

Sitting across from lockers previously used by Ken Griffey Jr., Rodriguez spoke at length about how much he'd miss his fellow All-Star. He said Griffey had been like a big brother to him and that the clubhouse wouldn't be as much fun without him.

"He wanted to go somewhere," Rodriguez said. "I always felt he was going to be a Mariner for life, but Cincinnati makes sense because it's home. I enjoy being here. I enjoy everything about Seattle. This is the only place I know."

Lincoln has said in the past that if the Mariners couldn't sign Rodriguez to a new contract, they would trade him and get something in return rather than watch him walk away as a free agent.

"Mr. Gillick and Mr. Lincoln are tough businessmen," Rodriguez said. "Whatever move they make, I respect that. Trade me, keep me, sign me as a free agent - that's a decision they have to make. That's something they have to do for themselves. I'm going to be a free agent sometime and I might resign here. You never know."