I apologize in advance. More than likely this is the thousandth piece you?ve read about Yankee third basemen Alex Rodriguez in the last month or so, but when you?re the highest paid player in baseball, and you play for the most storied franchise in professional sports, you?re going to lend yourself to some overexposure. As A-Rod tore through opposing pitchers faster than opposing hitters tore through Yankee pitchers in April (and that?s pretty fast), talking heads around the nation wondered whether Rodriguez would challenge all kinds of offensive records this season (with Bud Selig crossing his fingers in the backdrop). As April turned into May, Alex cooled off quicker than he caught fire in the first month of the season. After belting fourteen home runs last month, he has just a pair more than halfway through this month. When he was hitting with inhuman ease last month people credited his change of attitude and rise in confidence. One might wonder where that mindset has gone as spring turns into summer. The Yankees, as a team, have lacked intensity in 2007 (it?s evident when you look into their multi-million dollar eyes). Bobby Abreu, who seemed to be a perfect fit at the end of last season, is now struggling in pinstripes. Another recent acquisition, centerfielder Johnny Damon, may have been signed two years too late. After earning the reputation of being an iron-man in Boston, he has missed a significant amount of time in Bronx due to an aging back. With all of the offensive firepower the Yankees possess, it?s sad when their over-the-hill (in baseball terms) catcher, Jorge Posada, is their best and most consistent hitter. It seems to be the theme of the last few seasons in New York, but with more consistent pitching (they don?t have to be dominant) the Yankees would be a strong bet against anyone in Major League Baseball. While lifelong Yankees like Posada and Derek Jeter are performing as usual, closer extraordinaire Mariano Rivera is shaky at best. To make a long story short, the Yankees are in a bad way (but by no means finished). But as much as you may not want it to be, this column is about A-Rod. Despite his recent comments there is a very real, and likely, possibility that Rodriguez will call another city home come 2008. Even with a slight decrease in production from 2005 to 2006, he stands to sign yet another $200 million deal this winter (which will allow people to criticize him for another six to seven years). Let?s assume for the sake of this piece that A-Rod bolts New York before the new Yankee Stadium becomes the current one. What will happen if the Yankees, assuming they don?t this season, turn things around in 2008? Even if other major changes occur, you know that thousands, if not millions, of words will be written about how Rodriguez kept the Yankees from winning big games. That would also allow his critics to officially call his stay in the Bronx a failure. His individual statistics have looked pretty as a Yankee, but as a team New York has looked far from it. However with that said, A-Rod would be smart to stay where he knows the criticism well. A fresh start somewhere like Los Angeles (the Angels) might look appealing to Alex, but how will he react if he struggles in California and the Yankees become the class of the AL East once again? He?d be getting it from both coasts. Chicago, you say, and a reunion with former Seattle skipper Lou Pinella? The New York media is tough, but in my opinion the Windy City is worse. Not only do they pick up on everything, but they are also famously negative. That?s bad news for a slugger whose bat tends to go the way of his confidence. Where do you think Alex Rodriguez will play next season, New York or elsewhere? [email protected]