NEW YORK -- The Yankees got $22 million in extra spending money Saturday. Shayne Graham Youth Jersey . Alex Rodriguezs season-long suspension gives New York some space under the $189 million tax threshold just as coveted free-agent pitcher Masahiro Tanaka is negotiating with major league teams. But arbitrator Fredric Horowitzs decision Saturday leaves many questions: --Who will play third base for the Yankees? --Will Rodriguez be with the team at spring training? --Exactly how much space has been created in their luxury tax payroll? Among the internal options at third base, Kelly Johnson has played 16 major league games at third -- all with Tampa Bay last year, and Brendan Ryan has played 29 games at third but none since 2008. While Eduardo Nunez has appeared in 78 games at third, he seems more comfortable as a shortstop. Mark Reynolds became a free agent but could be re-signed, and Michael Young also is on the market. New York might ask free-agent Stephen Drew whether hed be interested in moving to third. "A number of teams have spoken to Stephen about playing positions other than shortstop," said Drews agent, Scott Boras. Rodriguez has a record $275 million, 10-year contract that calls for him to make $25 million this year, $21 million in 2015 and $20 million in each of the final two seasons. The ruling relieves the Yankees of most of his 2014 salary. "The New York Yankees respect Major League Baseballs Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program, the arbitration process, as well as the decision released today by the arbitration panel," was all the team said in its only comment. Before the decision, New Yorks luxury tax payroll stood at $175.7 million for 13 signed players. Add in Brian Roberts pending $2 million deal and about $11.5 million for benefits, and the total was $189.2 million. That figure also doesnt include five players eligible for salary arbitration: outfielder Brett Gardner, pitchers Ivan Nova, David Robertson and Shawn Kelley and catcher Francisco Cervelli -- who is returning from a 50-game drug suspension. And then there are the rest of the players who fill out the 40-man roster. Horowitz ruled Rodriguez is entitled to 21-183rds of this years salary, or about 11.5 per cent, a person familiar with the decision said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the ruling was not made public. Thats because the drug agreement sets the number of days of lost salary based on games suspended over the 183-day season regardless of the total of days a player is banned. Rodriguez will receive $2,868,852, and the $22,131,148 in lost salary lowers Rodriguezs contract total to approximately $252.87 million. The suspension does not impact the final $3 million payment of Rodriguezs $10 million signing bonus, which is due Wednesday. He has counted for $27.5 million on the Yankees luxury tax payroll in each of the last six seasons, and the Yankees could argue they should be credited for the difference between that figure and the new $25.3 million average, either as refunds for tax payments in the last six years or as an additional amount to be spent without incurring tax in the future seasons. The decision would be up to MLB and the players union. Also unclear is whether Rodriguez will be at the Yankees spring training camp, which starts in mid-February at Tampa, Fla. The drug agreement specifies spring training games are not included in any suspensions, and players getting ready to serve suspensions have appeared in exhibition games -- such as Philadelphia catcher Carlos Ruiz and Oakland pitcher Bartolo Colon, both last year. But MLB and the Yankees could attempt to keep away Rodriguez, arguing he has no season to prepare for. A-Rod has spent parts of the last six years on the disabled list due to a string of injuries, and he made his 2013 debut on Aug. 5 -- hours after his suspension was announced. He hit just .244 with seven homers and 19 RBIs in 156 at-bats and will be 39 when he is eligible to return. Whether Rodriguez ever plays for the Yankees again is a matter to be decided later. In addition to his remaining pay, he can earn $6 million for each of five milestone accomplishments. They were contemplated to be tying the home run marks of Willie Mays (660), Babe Ruth (714), Hank Aaron (755) and Bonds (762), and breaking Bonds major league record. Rodriguez has 654 homers. Given his pride and the monetary incentive, its hard to envision him leaving the baseball without trying to add to his on-field accomplishments. Curtis Lofton Jersey . The Maple Leafs are three points behind Columbus for the last playoff spot in the East with only three games left on their schedule. You can listen to the game live on TSN 1050 starting at 7:30pm et/4:30 pm pt. Pierre Thomas Elite Jersey .C. -- The Charlotte Bobcats said head coach Steve Clifford underwent a successful procedure Friday to have two stents placed in his heart.Gio Gonzalez aims for his first victory in over a month when the Washington Nationals try to expand their lead in the NL East by playing the Atlanta Braves in the rubber match of a three-game series tonight at Turner Field. Catch the game on TSN2 starting at 8pm et/5pm pt. The teams will be playing on short rest, as last nights contest, a 4-1 Washington win in 11 innings, didnt finish until close to 2:30 a.m. The start of the game was delayed 3 hours, 41 minutes by rain, and more wet weather is in the forecast today and tonight. Winners in three of their last four games, the Nationals hold a 4 1/2-game lead on the Braves for first place. Gonzalez, though, hasnt been victorious since July 5 against the Chicago Cubs. The lefty is 0-4 in a five-start span since then. Hes given up nine runs covering his last two starts, a span of 9 2/3 innings, in losses to the Phillies and Mets. Hes 2-7 with a 5.31 ERA in 10 career starts against the Braves and has dropped his last six decisions against them. Alex Wood, who is 0-2 over his last three starts, counters for the Braves. The lefty has allowed one earned run in each of his last two appearances, but the Braves havent given him any run support. He is 1-1 with a 1.57 ERA in four starts versus Washington. Last night, Wilson Ramos hit a go-ahead RBI single in the top of the 11th inning to help the Nationals to victory. Anthony Rendon and Adam LaRoche singled against David Carpenter (4-2) to start the 11th before Ian Desmond lined out to left. James& Russell replaced Carpenter and walked Bryce Harper to load the bases with one out. Curtis Lofton Camo Jersey. Anthony Varvaro then came on for Russell and Ramos fisted a base hit into shallow center to plate Rendon. Kevin Frandsen followed with a slicing double down the right-field line that scored LaRoche and Harper to give the Nationals a 4-1 lead. "Its a big win based off the fact its two teams just competing the heck out of each other," said Frandsen. Ramos was thrown out at the plate by Freddie Freeman on the play after he was unable to catch Jason Heywards cutoff throw from right. Ramos was initially ruled safe, but the play was overturned following a challenge. Tyler Clippard (7-2) got the win for tossing a scoreless 10th and Rafael Soriano notched his 26th save of the year after blanking Atlanta in the 11th. Nationals starter Tanner Roark struck out six and allowed a run on six hits and three walks over seven innings. LaRoche smacked a solo homer among his three hits in the triumph. Freeman was 3-for-4 for Atlanta, which has dropped nine of its last 10 games. Braves starter Aaron Harang surrendered a run on seven hits and two walks over seven frames in defeat. "Its tough," said Harang. "Especially against a team we know were trying to make up ground on." Washingtons Denard Span enters today with a 13-game hitting streak. The Braves lead the season series, 8-4, and have won seven of the last nine matchups at Turner Field. Wholesale Jerseys ' ' '
