Alex Rodriguez's 2014 season is still up in the air as the ruling on the appeal of his 211-game suspension is not expected until after the new year. But whether he is suspended or not, the New York Yankees must give A-Rod $3 million in January.
The $3 million payment is the final installment of Rodriguez's $10 million signing bonus from the 10-year, $275 million contract signed in December, 2007.
Once that payment is made, it will push the total amount paid to A-Rod by the Yankees to $253.5 million in the ten seasons since he was acquired from the Texas Rangers prior to the 2004 season.
While the $3 million payment must be made, Rodriguez is in jeopardy of losing $31 million if he is indeed suspended for the 2014 season. In addition to his $25 million salary, the Yankees must pay Rodriguez $6 million once he ties Willie Mays for fourth on the all-time home run list. A-Rod needs just six home runs to tie Mays with 660 in his career.
If Rodriguez does avoid suspension all-together, the Yankees still owe Rodriguez $86 million over the next four seasons plus up to $18 million for reaching major career home run milestones (660, 714, and 755 career home runs).