[brettbrettr]

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Official statement from Alex Rodriguez
received: Nov 14, 2007 at 03:48 PM

11/14/2007 3:27 PM ET
After spending time with Cynthia and my family over these last few weeks, it became clear to me that I needed to make an attempt to engage the Yankees regarding my future with the organization.

Prior to entering into serious negotiations with other clubs, I wanted the opportunity to share my thoughts directly with Yankees' ownership. 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.

As a result, I reached out to the Yankees through mutual friends and conveyed that message. I also understand that I had to respond to certain Yankees concerns, and I was receptive and understanding of that situation.

Cynthia and I have since spoken directly with the Steinbrenner family. During these healthy discussions, both sides were able to share honest feelings and hopes with one another, and we expect to continue this dialogue with the Yankees over the next few days.

A-ROD ON NJ.COM

"Itr's pretty clear to all of use he definitely wants to stay a Yankee," Hank Steinbrenner, team executive and son of owner George Steinbrenner, said today. "And that's all he's had to prove to me."

The Yankees had insisted all summer that if Rodriguez opted out of the final three years of his contract they would not bid on him as a free agent. The reason, they said, is they would lose $21.3 million from the Texas Rangers toward his 2008-10 salaries. Rodriguez did in fact opt out -- during Game 4 of the World Series.

The next day, Hank Steinbrenner said, "We're going to pretty much hold fast. It's a shame." But now Steinbrenner said he is open to Rodriguez's return.

"Alex has reached out to us through a third party," Steinbrenner said today. "It kind of looks like he wants to stay."

Steinbrenner hinted that Rodriguez might make concessions on his salary to make up for the lost Rangers subsidy.

"It looks like he's willing to make certain sacrifices to stay a Yankee," Steinbrenner said.

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