Report: ESPN wants A-Rod

ESPN appears to be treating Alex Rodriguez as a free agent.

The network is attempting to coax the former Yankees slugger and current MLB analyst away from his role at Fox Sports, according to a Sporting News report. Rodriguez has become a staple of Fox’s MLB coverage since making his TV debut during the 2015 postseason.

ESPN reportedly would welcome an arrangement in which Rodriguez splits time between the Worldwide Leader and Fox Sports, but his current employer would likely reject such a deal. Rodriguez, 42, inked a multi-year con- tract with Fox Sports last year.

Both of the networks and Rodriguez declined comment to Sporting News.

Rodriguez has forged a noteworthy broadcasting career since playing in his last game with the Yankees in 2016. The 14-time All Star won three AL MVP awards and a 2009 World Series with the Yankees over a 22-year career that also was tainted by his ties to performance-en- hancing drugs.

Rodriguez helped lead Fox Sports’ postseason coverage this past year, joining David Ortiz, Frank Thomas and Keith Hernandez in the studio.

The Sporting News reported that Rodriguez could replace Aaron Boone on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball broadcast. Ironically, Rodriguez also replaced Boone with the Yankees when he came to New York in 2004.