Bear hug

Should the Yankees just trade Alex Rodriguez to the Cubs now and get this over with?

The New York third baseman can, of course, opt out of his deal at the end of the season, and speculation is already rampant that he’d be more than happy to sign with the Chicago Cubs to re-join manager Lou Piniella, who Rodriguez said has been a father figure to him. Thanks for nothing, Joe.

As The New York Daily News’ Bob Raissman points out today, those Chicago whispers could get louder after A-Rod’s appearance next week on HBO’s “Real Sports,” in which he talks nostalgic about his time with Piniella in Seattle.

“I remember being 18, almost in tears,” Rodriguez says in the piece. “… I just felt like, ‘Get me back in my senior high school uniform.’ Then sure enough (Piniella) gives me a big kiss on top of my head. He goes, ‘Son, I love you. I love you. I just want you to do well.’

“From that day on, for the next 12 years, he’s been just like a father to me.”

After this offseason spending spree, it’s obvious the Cubs have money to blow, and what better place for the future Hall of Famer to come up short in clutch situations than Wrigley Field? He’ll fit right in.

It’s almost inevitable that this will happen. So, do the Yankees let A-Rod walk after 2007, or try to get a little something in return for him now?