The Yankees are making plans for a face-to-face meeting with Alex Rodriguez in the hope they can persuade their third baseman and cleanup hitter to stay in The Bronx and not opt out of his contract to become a free agent. "Apparently we will talk soon, I am told," Rodriguez's agent, Scott Boras, said last night when asked about the Yankees brass talking to his client. "I would expect it will include all parties." Asked if there were an offer on the table from the Yankees, Boras didn't say yes or no but explained Rodriguez wasn't interested in talking financial terms until he hears from Hank and Hal Steinbrenner about the direction George Steinbrenner's sons intend to take with the Yankees. "We have been very clear with the Yankees that we are not in the economic phase of the process," Boras said. "We are considering our next step and that will be preceded by taking in information. We want to be thorough. Alex wants to know the intentions of Hank and Hal."