A-Rod Saga is set to enter a new phase

Alex Rodriguez may have filed the papers, but the New York Yankees are the ones asking for a divorce.

Rodriguez, the heavy favorite to win the American League’s MVP award, filed for free agency Monday, a day after informing the Yankees he is opting out of his contract.

He is leaving a record $81 million on the table that was due to him over the next three years in his original 10-year, $252 million contract. Agent Scott Boras is convinced he will not only receive a longer contract, but one that’ll pay him in excess of $30 million a year, suggesting that a 10-year, $500 million offer wouldn’t be far-fetched.

“It sounds to me that either he didn’t want to be there, or Scott Boras has somebody else lined up,” said Reggie Jackson special advisor to owner George Steinbrenner.

Fifa abandons World Cup rotation

Fifa has dropped its policy of rotating the World Cup between continents, opening the way for England to bid to stage the tournament in 2018. The Football Association has expressed an interest in the event, with Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s backing.

But a number of other strong contenders are expected, including China, Russia, Australia and the USA or Mexico.

Countries belonging to confederations that hosted the two preceding tournaments are barred from applying.

For 2018, that would rule out bids from Africa or South America, with South Africa hosting the tournament in 2010 and Brazil poised to be confirmed as 2014 hosts this week.

The decision is expected to be confirmed at a news conference later on Monday.

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