Alex Rodriguez: Will The New York Yankees Still End Up Paying Him His Home Run Bonuses?

On May 7, 2015, Alex Rodriguez stood alone at number four on the all-time home run list. Having hit home run number 661, and passing Willie Mays for fourth all-time, Rodriguez unlocked a contractual bonus of $6 million. Rodriguez is also set to receive a $6 million bonus for every person he passes on baseball’s most sacred list. The Yankees have made it seem that they have no intention on paying Rodriguez any of this bonus money, but it is possible that they will end up paying him anyway.

Hal Steinbrenner, the owner of the New York Yankees, recently commented on if the team will end up paying Rodriguez any bonus money he accrues while chasing baseball immortality.

“I will say that, as with every other contract, if there’s any contractual obligations on our end, we’re going to meet them. It’s no different than any other contract.”

Why have the Yankees appeared to have changed their stance on this topic when they have come off so adamant about not paying Rodriguez? The reason is Fredric Horowitz, Major League Baseball’s arbitrator, could rule in favor of Alex Rodriguez. If this happens, the Yankees will comply with his ruling.

Alex Rodriguez missed the entire 2014 baseball season due to suspension. Failure to comply with Major League Baseball’s steroid policy was the reason for the 162 game suspension. The first suspension handed down to Rodriguez was for 211 games. This was dropped down to 162 games by the same arbitrator, Fredric Horowitz.

At the time, the Yankees thought they would be able to nullify the remaining time on Rodriguez’s contract. Clearly, they did not do that. Rodriguez rejoined the Yankees and came into the 2015 season as their full-time designated hitter.

On April 9, 2015, Rodriguez hit his first home run of the 2015 baseball season. The date of his last major league home run was September, 20 2013. Currently, Rodriguez has a total of 10 home runs in 38 games for a career total of 664. So far this season, Rodriguez is averaging one home run every 15.6 at-bats. Assuming Rodriguez stays healthy, plays full-time, and keeps up this pace, he will get about 500 at-bats. This would give Rodriguez a projected home run total of 32, bringing his career total to 686, 28 shy of Babe Ruth.

The current contract for Alex Rodriguez runs through the 2017 baseball season. It seems very likely that he will pass Babe Ruth given the amount of time he has left on this contract, unlocking another $6 million bonus.

Do you think Alex Rodriguez deserves this bonus money? How much farther up the all-time home run list do you think he can go?

[Image by Patrick Smith/Getty Images]