"They don't like that Alex Rodriguez is a $500M guy" - When ex-Angels OF came in defense of former Yankees star against criticism from peers
Alex Rodriguez got his start in the big leagues with the Seattle Mariners. He played on a three-year rookie deal before signing a four-year, $10 million extension.
However, it was not until 2001 that A-Rod started making big-time money. He signed a 10-year, $252 million deal with the Texas Rangers. After that, he signed a 10-year, $275 million with the New York Yankees, clearing $500 million.
Despite being the highest-paid player during the time, he was not the most well-liked player. By 2010, he was thought to be a "prima donna," which was whispered by some of his peers, but not everybody.
According to Reuters' Adam Hunger, Los Angeles Angels OF Torii Hunter came to A-Rod's aid, via The NY Times.
"I guess it's because they don't like that he's a $500 million guy, he's with the Yankees, stuff like that. I think people hate good stuff. If you've got a nice shirt on, people are going to call it ugly," Hunter said.
Hunter had known A-Rod before the two started their big-league careers. The two played against each other as 16-year-olds during a tournament in Idaho and quickly struck up a friendship.
Alex Rodriguez gives his take on Juan Soto's monster contract with the Mets
The baseball world was in a frenzy on Sunday after news broke regarding Juan Soto. He and the New York Mets agreed to a 15-year, $765 million deal with the New York Mets.
Soto now holds the richest contract in MLB history. This comes just one year after Shohei Ohtani broke the record after he signed his 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers last offseason.
Alex Rodriguez was shocked to hear the news. He and Jason Kelly did an emergency airing of their podcast, The Deal, which talked about Soto's new contract.
"This is the first time somebody has stood up to the New York Yankees and said, 'Not so fast. We are richer and we want to be better and this is our city and Steven Cohen and Alex Cohen are on their way," A-Rod said.
This is the first time the Mets have stepped up and stolen a prized player away from the Yankees. Steven Cohen has been hard at work trying to bring this club back to glory, and it is finally starting to pay off.