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It's generally accepted that somebody -- anybody -- is going to give Alex Rodriguez his gajillions this offseason. After all, Scott Boras is no dummy, and if he didn't think he had a deal already out there, would he have left the Yankees in such a hurry? A-Rod's going to get his, even if he's really not worth that much money.

So The Hardball Times' John Brattain writes a little go-to memo for general managers considering an A-Rod signing. Among the talking points: A-Rod isn't likable, he isn't marketable, he's slowing down with age, and his recent numbers are comparable to players who receive significantly smaller contracts. In other words, this isn't 2000 anymore:

"In July 2008, Alex Rodriguez will be a 33-year-old average fielding third baseman who will likely have to switch to LF/1B/DH in the very near future. His level of offensive production is right around David Ortiz and Chipper Jones levels although your client is more durable. To be perfectly honest, he isn't well thought of among a lot of fans. They don't like him in Texas, and they really don't like him in New York at this moment. After the Red Sox won the World Series, Boston fans were chanting that they preferred Mike Lowell to Rodriguez."

"Quite frankly, while Alex has kept his nose clean for the most part, he is generally perceived as being as phony as a three-dollar bill. This isn't Michael Jordan or Wayne Gretzky you're selling here. Ortiz is on a whole different level of marketability; 'Big Papi' is better liked, is now a World Series legend and makes $13 million a year. [...]

"When you consider that A-Rod will make most of his money with his bat, well, there are 10 hitters in his neighborhood-are any of them looking for a 10-year/$300 million contract? Of course not. That's absurd. [...]

"His bat isn't worth $300 million-the market tells us that. A-Rod's post season performance isn't worth $300 million-he has yet to play in a World Series game. Alex's image isn't worth $300 million-a lot of people tell us that. [...] "Let's be more realistic here and start again, shall we?"

Brattain's is a pretty airtight case, but that doesn't mean GM's will utilize it. Boras will drive up the price, make fake offers from general managers that may or may not exist, and generally play the system better than the system does. The notion that a general manager could put together such a reasoned, intelligent, and stern response to Scott Boras and Alex Rodriguez ... I welcome it with open arms, even if I don't believe it.