MLB Rumors: Alex Rodriguez Opens Up 2017 Retirement Plans

By Jenn Loro - 25 Mar '16 07:04AM

For more than two decades, Alex Rodriguez has been Major League Baseball's most preeminent and arguably the highest-paid player with a 10-year contract with New York Yankees worth $275 million considered as the second largest overall contract in MLB history.

But as his contract nears its end, he reportedly decided to leave baseball for a quiet retirement after the 2017 season.

"I won't play after next year. I've really enjoyed my time. For me, it is time for me to go home and be dad," Rodriguez said as quoted by Hardball Scoop.

The 41-year-old third baseman reportedly has $41 million remaining salary from his 10-year contract he signed with Yankees after the 2007 season. After fulfilling his obligation, he will have already made a hefty $420 million fortune from the field making him the highest grossing paid professional athlete to exceed the $400 million mark followed by NBA's Kevin Garnett at $326 million.

However, his decision to leave MLB may not be entirely fixed. A latest roundup from New York Post suggests he might do otherwise.

"I'm thinking in terms of my contract which ends in 2017. After that, we'll see what happens. I've got two years and more than 300 games to play," said Rodriguez in an email message quoted by the New York Post.

Rodriguez is definitely one of the most well-renowned superstar players in this era. As reported by Fansided, he coveted three American League MVP titles (2003, 2005, 2007) in his 22-year career on the field. He was also a 14-time American League All-Star and a 2009 World Series Champion with the Yankees.

Despite his astounding achievements as an athlete, his career was also marred with his controversial use of Performance Enhancing Drugs (PEDs) on two occasions in his career, once with Texas Rangers and once with the Yankees.