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Mets, Boras at odds


Special to ESPN.com

Nov. 15

At this point, the damage has been done and the Mets are not going to sign Alex Rodriguez. But Rodriguez's agent Scott Boras, without getting into a spitting contest with Mets general manager Steve Phillips, categorically denies making a series of demands to the Mets.

"With a player like Alex, one doesn't have to make demands," says Boras, who claims that several owners called him Tuesday and told him he could have any perks he wants. "We made it clear that all we were asking for was what was 'normal and customary' for Mets players. I told them, 'we don't need anything.' "

Boras says that the Mariners provided a room for marketing purposes, and he says that the company he formed -- Impact Sports Management -- handles Rodriguez's marketing and that he requires no club staff. While this would seem to be a hit on A-Rod's image, Boras claims "things are going very well, maybe better than anticipated," in his talks with other teams.

In turn, Rodriguez's friends suggest that the Mets knew they had to move elsewhere in terms of payroll and forced Phillips to make a statement covering them.

"They thought Rick Reed was going to be $5 million and he's up near $8 million," says one baseball executive. "It's going to be a wild winter."

Around the majors

  • Mike Mussina is expected to act quickly, as he talks to the Yankees on Wednesday and may speak to the Mets and Red Sox in the next couple of days. A decision on Ellis Burks is expected quickly as well.

    "The Rangers have offered three, Colorado two and Cleveland one year," says a GM. The Indians also met with Tony Gwynn on Tuesday.

  • On another front, a day after Pedro Martinez backed Carl Everett's return to the Red Sox, Nomar Garciaparra made it clear he didn't discuss with GM Dan Duquette the hope of the Red Sox trading Everett. Garciaparra says he, in fact, tried to call Everett several times to discuss the matter and didn't get an answer. He said he will now try to track him down in the near future and clear the air.

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  • Gammons: 2000 column archive




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     Peter Gammons talks with ESPN's Kenny Mayne about Alex Rodriguez.
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