YANKEES PLAN TO SNUB AROD'S BONUS PAY

The Yankees continue to take steps to solidify their thoughts on Alex Rodriguez.

According to a report by ESPN, the Yankees are looking into voiding ARod's milestone bonuses. Based on his contract, six more home runs would tie him with Willie Mays at fourth of all time. He will then be eligible for $6 million bonus, as part of his 10-year $275 million contract. The Yankees plan on invalidating those bonuses. Their argument will be that with the suspension through the 2014 season, and ARod's involvement with the Biogenesis scandal, will have voided parts of his contract.

If the Yankees can figure out a way to void the bonuses that is within their rights legally, they will pursue it, and why shouldn't they? But, there is almost certainly going to be some push back from the Players Union.

This comes right on the heels of the Yankees turning down a meeting request from ARod. The meeting was said to be an effort to apologize to the organization. Their response was simply "We'll see you in Spring Training." They are making a statement, and they want to be clear.

Brian Cashman signing Chase Headley made it obvious that they had no intentions of playing ARod as every day third baseman. It was smart on their part. Really, no one knows what to expect from him. Still ARod was putting in the work, physically, to be able to contribute to the team the to the best of his ability.

All that was left was the apology, and I am sure that the bonuses were a huge motivator for ARod. The Yankees turned down the apology, and are looking to void those bonuses, so now what?

I understand that a lot of it has to do with the Yankees organization and the legacy. When the contract was signed, the idea of a player like ARod reaching these milestones as a Yankee was enticing. Biased opinion aside, he is a phenomenal player. Now, with this past season behind us, his involvement with Biogenesis, what allure does his milestones hold for the Yankees? For Yankee fans? Little to none in most cases.

This move makes a statement. The Yankees have no intentions of making things easy for ARod. The white flag that he was waving was ignored and met with a method to snub him. The relationship is pretty much on a need basis. And if they could find a way to rid themselves of "the need," they will likely pursue that as well.

--Erica Morales BYB Senior Writer 
Twitter: @e_morales1804

You've made BYB the fastest growing Yankees fan site in history. Now shop at the Bleeding Yankee Blue store!  Follow me on Twitter @BleednYaneeBlu and LIKE Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook!  Also, don't forget to check out the BYB Hub!