The Yankees may be prepared to talk about an agreement expansion with Alex Rodriguez, but he isn't. Rodriguez said Thursday he has no importance in in-season contract discussions, a view repeated and detailed by his agent, Scott Boras.

In response to Wednesday reports that the Yankees have changed their longtime posture on midseason discussions, Rodriguez said: "Like I've said all year, I think it's something we need to do at the end of the year. I think it would be selfish on my part to talk about my contract status when our team desperately needs wins. My goal is to win as many games as we can, focus on my teammates and play at a real high level in the second half."

Rodriguez's level of play was off the charts in the first half, which is the reason for the Yankees' interest in talking about a new deal. He batted .317 with 30 home runs and 86 RBIs.

The Rangers are responsible for paying approximately $29 million of Rodriguez's contract in the final three seasons of the deal. For that reason, the Yankees plan to consider an extension for Rodriguez only if he has not opted out of the contract. They would lose that nearly $10-million-a-year benefit if he were to opt out and resign with the Yankees as a free agent.

Still, Rodriguez said he does not envision negotiating during the season.

"We've got plenty of time to talk," Boras said by phone Thursday. "There's time to negotiate before the opt-out and time to negotiate after the opt-out."

But if the Yankees stand firm and will not negotiate with Rodriguez if he opts out, the timeline is shorter. They would have only from the end of their season until his Nov. 10 opt-out date. Neither Boras nor Rodriguez would discuss that hypothetical situation.