But Mets management voiced reservations about signing Rodriguez, citing his many supposed demands and suggesting that superstar treatment would make the team a "24-and-1" roster.

When the Marlins signed Rodriguez to a one-year, $10 million contract in January, they hailed the move as the day the franchise rededicated itself to winning.

The cost of signing Rodriguez is expected to be astronomical; the largest number floated is $25 million a season.

If they determine that they can't sign Rodriguez and want to trade him, the Mariners will face another formidable task.

Doug Melvin, now in Milwaukee, was the Rangers' general manager when they signed Rodriguez.

But Steinbrenner said the Rangers' decision to sign Rodriguez to a record-setting contract pushed him to give Jeter $189 million.

And if the Braves, their division nemesis, should sign Rodriguez?

The Mets made a mistake by not pushing harder to sign Rodriguez, but the two sides would not be a cozy fit anymore.

Of course, he would like to have signed Rodriguez for less, but Boras would not let it happen.

The Mets had been considered the heavy favorite to sign Rodriguez but abandoned their pursuit basically before it began.