A-Rod opts out

DENVER – Alex Rodriguez opted out of his $252 million, 10-year contract with the Yankees on Sunday in what appears to be the end of his tumultuous career with New York.

Rodriguez’s decision, announced by agent Scott Boras as the rival Boston Red Sox completed their World Series sweep of Colorado, makes the third baseman eligible to become a free agent.

Boras said he attempted to notify Yankees general manager Brian Cashman of the decision but couldn’t reach him, so he left a voice mail.

“He was traveling and I was traveling,” Boras said.

Rodriguez loses the final $72 million in guaranteed salary in the record contract, which he signed with Texas before the 2001 season. The Yankees lose $21.3 million in remaining payments from the Rangers, a subsidy agreed to at the time of his 2004 trade. New York has said it would not attempt to re-sign A-Rod if he opted out.

Boras said during a telephone interview that Rodriguez made his choice because he was uncertain whether Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada and Andy Pettitte would return to the Yankees. Boras said it became clear that the others wouldn’t make a decision by Rodriguez’s deadline to opt out – 10 days after the World Series.

“Alex’s decision was one based on not knowing what his closer, his catcher and one of his statured pitchers was going to do,” Boras said. “He really didn’t want to make any decisions until he knew what they were doing.”

A-Rod, likely to win his third A.L. MVP award next month, made his decision before the Yankees announced a replacement for departed manager Joe Torre. Broadcaster Joe Girardi and bench coach Don Mattingly were the top contenders, and the team also interviewed first-base coach Tony Pena.

Texas turns out to be the biggest winner, saving the remaining money it would have had to pay New York as part of the 2004 trade. Boras said the Rangers are still responsible for $3 million in annual deferred money A-Rod is owed in the next three years.

“We’re going to wait until we hear officially, but obviously it would be welcome news on our end,” Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said in an e-mail to the Associated Press.

Rodriguez hit .314 this year and led the majors with 54 homers and 156 RBI.

He was announced as a winner of a Hank Aaron award for offensive achievement before Game 4 but wasn’t on hand to receive it. Boras said Rodriguez had a family commitment.

New York was preparing to offer Rodriguez a four- or five-year extension worth between $25 million and $30 million annually and had hoped to meet with A-Rod to present the offer.

“We didn’t want to enter in a discussion of the economic parameters until we knew the status of players because that was central to Alex’s decision,” Boras said.

Rodriguez’s decision was first reported by SI.com.

The Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Angels and even the New York Mets could be possible destinations for Rodriguez. Teams have declined to comment, citing tampering rules that prevent them from discussing players who aren’t free agents.

While the Yankees said they would be done with Rodriguez if he opted out, Boras said he remains willing to talk with them.

“The lines of communication for us are open,” he said. “Our position is that we have told New York all along that we will continue discussions with them.”