K-Rod Injured ... Mets Get Lucky?

Ok team, let's put a positive spin on this one.

K-Rod getting injured while beating up an old man is obviously a fiasco and embarrassing and ridiculous. The whole situation stinks. But in doing so, K-Rod may have hurt his chances of getting his 2012 contract option to vest. Here are the details, as per Cot's Contracts:

2012:$17.5M option ($3.5M buyout)

2012 option becomes guaranteed with:
55 games finished in 2011, and
100 games finished in 2010-11, and
doctors declare Rodriguez healthy after 2011

K-Rod has finished 46 games this year. Setting aside, for a moment, whether or not the Mets will be able to void the contract based on his inappropriate conduct in the clubhouse and resulting injury -- the Mets may be able to wiggle out of the option nonetheless.

In the last five seasons before this one, K-Rod has finished 56 games or more every single time: 58, 58, 56, 69, 66. He needs to finish 56 games next year to have his option vest. It'll be interesting to watch.