AMELIA ISLAND, Fla. -- Agent Scott Boras clarified remarks Sunday from Alex Rodriguez that he won't sign with the New York Yankees.

	Alex Rodriguez Shortstop Free agent
	2000 SEASON STATISTICS AVG. R H HR RBI SB .316 134 175 41 132 15

Rodriguez, the All-Star shortstop is weighing his options as a free agent, originally said that the Yankees were not one of his choices because they already have his buddy, Derek Jeter, at the position. New York has has been rumored to be interested in signing Rodriguez and moving him to third base.

"I would like to sign with another team and help dethrone the Yankees -- they've won too much already," he said Friday. "I like playing shortstop and I'm young (25). I want to play it until I'm 35, and then I'll study the possibility of being moved."

But Boras, who was expected at baseball's annual general manager meetings late Sunday, clarified his client's comments, saying, "We think it was maybe a misunderstanding or something, he was talking about playing (the Yankees) in the American League Championship Series.

"I spent five days with him on the subject. He's hasn't dismissed any team."

Boras, who cut off negotiations with the Mariners before the season, has prepared a 50-page document for the meetings detailing the qualities of Rodriguez, who hit .316 with 41 homers and 132 RBI for Seattle this season.

"When it comes to power hitters, the sluggers, the guys who can drive in 120 RBIs, MVP-type players, in this certain timeframe between 27 and 35, the longer the owners wait to lock them in, the better for the player," said Boras, who will probably make Rodriguez baseball's highest-paid player.

"Patience is a virtue for the slugger. Patience is a virus from the club's standpoint."

Rodriguez said he has not ruled out the possibility of staying with the Mariners, although he said he has eight teams that are interested in signing him.

"It's the only organization I've played with professionally," he said of the Mariners. "I have a lot of options and I'm studying them carefully."

Atlanta, Los Angeles and the Mets are the leading contenders to sign Rodriguez.