I have been saying since the season started that Alex Rodriguez would opt out of his contract with the Yanks at the end of the year and move on. I still think its pretty obvious that he will forgo the final three years of his mega-contract, but I am starting to think that he will not be leaving New York.

To me, A-Rod has been nothing but a headache with his antics on and off the field, but let's be honest, without Rodriguez this year, the Yanks are roadkill. He just hit his 32nd homer tonight, and there is no reason to think that he will not give a run at Roger Maris' Yankee team record of 61 four-baggers. Here is why I think he will now be back in Pinstripes next year: the Red Sox.

The Red Sox have been so quiet with all the talk of A-Rod becoming a free agent. I know they can't talk about it because of tampering issues, but it just doesn't seem to get enough play. If A-Rod went to Boston he could return to shortstop, a position I am sure he misses and a position that the Sox have been desperate to fill since trading Nomar Garciaparra in 2004. The Sox have been very unlucky with Orlando Cabrera and Edgar Renteria (both of whom are having all-star years) who they tried and gave up on, but to steal the Yankees' number one offensive weapon and plug him in their line-up, that would just be scary.

It is because of this threat that I think the Yankees will bid very high to keep A-Rod's services in the Bronx, Brian Cashman has said that they won't get into a bidding war for him, but I do not believe him. Rodriguez has proven once again that all he cares about is the size of his contract, and he will most likely get his wish of over $30 million a year. I think it will be George Steinbrenner who will be signing his checks again to keep him out of Beantown.