Alex Rodriguez said all season that he wanted to stay with the New York Yankees, and now he is backing up those statements. Rodriguez and his wife, Cynthia, met with Hank and Hal Steinbrenner on Wednesday in Tampa, Fla., and Hank Steinbrenner said Rodriguez wanted to return.
"He has expressed a desire to stay a Yankee," Steinbrenner said in a telephone interview with the New York Times. "He's even willing to make certain sacrifices to do so."
Rodriguez confirmed on his website that he had spoken with the Steinbrenners, saying that he believed he "had to respond to certain Yankees concerns."Prior to entering into serious negotiations with other clubs, I wanted the opportunity to share my thoughts directly with Yankees ownership," the website statement said. "We know there are other opportunities for us, but Cynthia and I have a foundation with the club that has brought us comfort, stability and happiness."
Rodriguez, who held the meeting without his agent, Scott Boras, added that he expected the dialogue with the Yankees to continue the next few days.
The Yankees had hoped to have those discussions before Rodriguez opted out of his contract during Game 4 of the World Series on Oct. 28. The absence of Boras from Wednesday's meeting could eventually lead to a new contract.
"I'm not sure it's going to happen immediately, but it's going to happen," said a friend of Rodriguez's, speaking on condition of anonymity because Rodriguez had not authorized him to speak publicly.
"It's a relief for Alex to know that the Yankees still want him, and now that he knows that, he's going to work something out. Whatever they have to do to work it out, they're going to do it. He was willing to eat crow, and he did."
After Rodriguez opted out, the Yankees insisted they would not pursue him as a free agent. But within a week of his decision, Rodriguez began telling friends that he was dismayed at the public fallout and was considering giving the Yankees a discount to return.
Top managers
Cleveland's Eric Wedge and Arizona's Bob Melvin were honored as AL and NL Managers of the Year.
Wedge received 19 of the 28 first-place votes and got 116 points in balloting by the Baseball Writers' Association of America, finishing ahead of the Angels' Mike Scioscia (62 points).
Melvin was chosen on 19 of the 30 first-place ballots and got 119 points. Philadelphia's Charlie Manuel (76) was second.
Etc.
• The NL Cy Young Award will be announced today. San Diego's Jake Peavy, who led the league with 19 victories, is the heavy favorite.
• Boston and Oakland will open the 2008 season on March 25 and 26 at the Tokyo Dome, the third time Major League Baseball has started its season in Japan.
• Relief pitcher Al Reyes' $2.3 million option was exercised by Tampa Bay. Reyes had 26 saves in 30 chances this season, the fifth-highest total in club history.
• Hideki Matsui had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee. The Yankees outfielder is expected to be ready for the start of spring training.
• The Braves held their first formal talks in pursuit of 300-game winner Tom Glavine, hoping to lure him back to Atlanta to finish his career.
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