In addition to Patrick's continuing look at the A-Rod situation, John Brattain over at The Hardball Times weighs in with his thoughts. While some of John's article should considered tongue in cheek, he makes some very salient points as well as an interesting comparison to Roger Maris. He also provides what he thinks might be a good solution to the situation. The article is worth the read just for those thoughts alone (whether or not you agree with the proposed course of action is another topic) so head on over and check it out.

Of course how can you not sign a quarter-billion-dollar contract? By the same token: if you’re sitting on 59 home runs how can you not try to hit 60—then 61? Maris’s 61 became a nightmare just as has A-Rod’s 252. As long as Maris was in New York he could never shake the repercussions of 61.

Let’s face it, if A-Rod had opted for a shorter deal as a free agent and was in pinstripes now, chances are good he wouldn’t be under this kind of scrutiny. Gary Sheffield is a phenomenal hitter and potential Hall of Famer, yet over Rodriguez’s vaunted skid, Sheffield went just .160/.236/.160 in 50 at-bats. Nobody complains much about that, but then again Sheffield isn’t associated with 252.

Update: Commenter Rich made note of a point in John's article that I had skimmed over but definitely deserves a look.

Another point: as I understand it, there’s the slight complication (although I’m still searching for a citation) that the Rangers' obligation to A-Rod becomes null and void if he’s dealt to another team. In other words the Yanks will be trying to move a $25 million-a-year contract as opposed to a $16 million-a-year deal.

If this turns out to be the case, then 99.9% of these potential A-Rod deals that are being bandied about will fall off the table. It's one thing to pay a couple of million bucks to facilitate a trade. It's quite another to eat $10 million a year to do so (and I doubt MLB, or the player's union, would even allow that much money to exchange hands). Again, this hasn't been confirmed so take it as you will (and if you have proof of or against this contract stipulation, please let us, and John, know).