The New York Yankees officials publicly announced on Thursday signing a new 10-year contract with Alex Rodriguez. This came as a surprise after A-Rod opted out of the three-year remaining contract with the New York team. "The whole thing was a mistake," Rodriguez said. "It was a huge debacle. It was very stressful, and to me it was a very humbling experience. I made a huge mistake […] I woke up the next morning and I was white as a ghost. My want was always to become a world champion in New York. I have a lot to prove in New York.”

The three-time AL MVP added: “The whole thing didn’t feel right. I felt all along there was mutual interest and great respect from both ends. I always thought the negotiation was going to be simple and wasn’t going to take a lot of time. So when I was getting that information, it was very surprising and upsetting and hurtful.”

The motivation for his wish to become a free agent is, according to A-Rod, the fact that the Yankees didn’t want him anymore or at least that’s what he thought. While the Yankees declared that they did not wish to extend their collaboration with Rodriguez as a free agent, the new surprising deal is worth $275 million, with a supposedly incentive package that would raise its value to over $305 million.

Rodriguez, with 518 career home runs, 1,503 runs batted in and a .306 average in 14 seasons, and who comes after an amazing season of .314 with 54 home, seriously criticized his agent Scott Boras, for convincing him to opt out of the Yankee contract. Boras refused to comment on the situation, stating that the conversations between him and his clients were private.

The 32-year-old A-Rod concluded on his 10-year deal: “I feel so fortunate to be playing for the greatest franchise in the world. That’s what I’ve wanted all along. That’s where I wanted to finish my career. My whole life has been a huge blessing and a dream.”