The New York Yankees awarded Alex Rodriguez with a 10-year $275 million contract in 2007. What looked promising at the time now looks like a huge mistake by the Bronx Bombers.

Rodriguez's numbers have been dropping dramatically over the years while he approaches the age of 40 this summer. The last few seasons have been highlighted with PED controversy, suspensions and constant arguing between the two sides. Rodriguez is back in action this season, and has already hit one home run.

With that home run, Rodriguez now has 655 for his career, the fifth most in MLB history.

Next up on the list is the legendary Willie Mays, who has 660 career home runs. This is extremely important because if Rodriguez is to tie Mays, it will guaranteed him a $6 million player bonus on top of the $22 million he is making in base salary this season from the Yankees.

Sounds simple, right?

Only, the Yankees may have different plans. According to the New York Daily News, the Yankees don't intend on declaring Rodriguez's home run a "milestone." “They say the records are tainted,” the source said, “and therefore they’re not milestones that can be marketed.”

A rather interesting argument. Nowhere in Rodriguez's contract does it say the bonus is voided because of steroid use, but Rodriguez has been disciplined by MLB several times including a season-long suspension just last year. Unfortunately for Yankees fans, the A-Rod drama is just beginning this season.

More than likely, the Major League Baseball Players Association will back Rodriguez to the fullest extent.

"The Yankees’ media notes, which include a lengthy sheet of milestones players are close to reaching, makes no mention of Rodriguez approaching the Mays home run total. It does, however, mention that he’s one stolen base away from tying Bert Daniels for 16th all-time. “There’s going to be a lot of discussion (when he reaches 660). Some people are going to want to celebrate it. Some are not. I think it’s a personal preference. I don’t know what the right thing to do is. Just let people do what they want to do" Girardi said according to the Journal News.

It seems as if the Yankees are just trying to ignore Rodriguez's career home run accomplishment and sweep it under the rug. As much as it will pain the Yankees, they won't have a choice. This is the contract they agreed to, and Rodriguez is simply fulfilling his end. On the positive side for the Yankees, they know not to make this mistake again, and a Rodriguez bonus would mean more production on the field.

The Yankees will use the argument that Rodriguez agreed to the contract under false pretenses, lies and cheating. A hard argument to sell to MLB and the players union, but maybe worth a try.

It's also important to note that Rodriguez has a potential $6 million bonus for each player he passes on the all-time home run list. That means Rodriguez could earn up to $24 million in bonus money if he passes Barry Bonds in career home runs, who he is presently 108 away from tying.

Most career home runs

1. Barry Bonds: 763
2. Hank Aaron: 755
3. Babe Ruth: 714
4. Willy Mays: 660
5. Alex Rodriguez: 655

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