The "A" in A-Rod going to stand for albatross?

Pete Abraham, via Rob Neyer, explains that the Yankees must find a way to fix what could become a terrible contract.

Money:

"Whether it's his hip, his age, his use of PEDs for three years, his personal issues or whatever, Alex is in a steep decline and the Yankees have to figure out a way to stabilize that and get something out of him. Otherwise that $258 million they owe him through 2017 is going to go down as the worst contract in sports history.

Maybe it already is."

Look, no one overlooked the potential that Rodriguez's contract could be a disaster the last few seasons, when he is at age 40, and age 41.  And during those ages, earning $20 million a year.  I mean, for the short term, the contract was very comforting to Yankee fans.  And even the ones who hated ARod most knew that he would be very good-great for at least half of that contract, possibly more. 

But anytime a ten-year contract worth $275 million is handed out to a player on the wrong side of 30, then there are serious risks. 

Part of what was supposed to ease the financial hit, was supposed to be ARod's chase for the all-time Home run record.  And that should still exist down the road, should.  But also might not.  And since A-Rod is now "tainted."  How will that effect how fans view it when the "chase" comes? 

It seems that most will forget anything ever happened if he starts putting up great numbers again, and does that for the next say five seasons.  But even with that, some will dismiss his accomplishments.  Some will turn their back.  A lot of revenue will come the Yankees way, but will it take a hit in that regard? 

ARod has posted OPS+'s over the last three seasons of 150, 177, and 134.  All varying in importance, but all very good. 

This season his OPS+ is 117, and his medicore defense is sub-par thus far.  His ability to hit the fastball has taken a hit too.  In past seasons, AROD has killed the fastball, but this season he isn't killing it as much. 

But this just might be because of the "temporary-solution surgery," rather than the "fix the problem completely surgery."  Maybe A-Rod just needs to wait until seasons end until he will be himself again.  Maybe panic should be abandoned, as it all may be health related. 

But maybe, just maybe, this will be a contract the Yankees regret much sooner than expected.