Alex Rodriguez talks himself into a corner with the MLBPA

Alex Rodriguez is bidding to buy the New York Mets, so his comments about MLB economics shouldn’t surprise anyone.

Alex Rodriguez is trying to form a bid to buy the New York Mets. The general uncertainty in the sport and the expiration of the collective bargaining agreement in 2021, has him being asked about and talking MLB economics.

MLB does not have a salary cap, and for better or worse there haven’t been any real signs that will change. But during a conference call on Thursday, according to Ronald Blum of the Associated Press, Rodriguez hinted strongly that he is behind the idea of a salary cap to advance the sport’s lagging standing in the broader market.

“The only way it’s going to happen is if they get to the table and say the No. 1 goal, let’s get from $10 to $15 billion and then we’ll split the economics evenly. But that’s the type of conversation instead of fighting and fighting against each other because there’s too much competition out there right now.”

MLBPA executive director Tony Clark reacted to Rodriguez’s comments just as you’d expect.

“Alex benefited as much as anybody from the battles this union fought against owners’ repeated attempts to get a salary cap,” union head Tony Clark said in a statement. “Now that he is attempting to become an owner himself his perspective appears to be different. And that perspective does not reflect the best interests of the players.”

How much did Alex Rodriguez make in his career?

Spurred by two huge contracts, a 10-year, $252 million deal with the Texas Rangers in 2001 and later a 10-year, $275 million deal from the New York Yankees, Rodriguez made about $448 million in salary during his playing career. He opted out the Rangers’ deal early, after being traded to the Yankees. He also did not fulfill the Yankees’ deal, with a season-long suspension in 2014 and the team releasing him in 2016.

Rodriguez responded to the criticism he has received for his comments.

Rodriguez is right that he didn’t use the phrase “salary cap”, and he was surely asked about the looming labor strife in MLB only because he’s now a prospective owner. But in the transition from player to owner, akin to former teammate Derek Jeter in his role with the Miami Marlins, it’s interesting how the financial shoe is on the other foot all of a sudden.