ARLINGTON, Texas - Rangers outfielder Juan Gonzalez, through agent Jeff Moorad, turned down a proposed trade to the Expos that would have netted the Rangers two young players and possibly three.
Moorad, speaking in the media dining room during the fourth and fifth innings of the Rangers-A's game Tuesday, cited family issues and Gonzalez's ties to the Texas community forged during two stints as a Ranger as his reasons for refusing the deal.
Gonzalez, who was not in the lineup Tuesday night, has a full no-trade clause in his contract, which ends after this season, that allowed him to block the deal.
Gonzalez, hitting .286 with 18 home runs and 50 RBIs, had 72 hours beginning at 9 a.m. today to make a decision.
"We negotiated the no-trade language for a reason," Moorad said. "We understand that Texas is going to go with a youth-oriented lineup, and (Juan) understands he won't be in the picture next year."
Moorad said Gonzalez's mother and sister live in North Texas.
"It seems almost incongruous to accept a trade to Montreal," Moorad said.
Moorad said Expos general manager Omar Minaya was on his way there to try to convince Gonzalez to take the deal. The two have a relationship dating to Minaya's days as a Rangers assistant general manager.
Moorad made it clear that will be a waste of time but said they would give him the courtesy of an audience.
"Obviously, we're disappointed," Rangers general manager John Hart said after hearing Moorad's comments. "When Jeff called me, he didn't officially tell me they were turning it down. He said they were leaning that way. So, we'll withhold judgment until we get official notification.
"We made it clear Juan does not fit into our plans and we gave him the opportunity to play and participate in a pennant race. The choice was his."
The Rangers had agreed in principle to the trade late Monday night, hoping to get some much-needed pitching from the pitching-rich Expos.
The Rangers, who have the AL's worst ERA at 6.08, have made no secret of their need for pitching. According to the Dallas Morning News, the most prominent names in the deal were right-hander Seung Song and second baseman Josh McKinley.
The other players discussed were right-handed pitching prospects Chris Young and Josh Karp and catcher Michael Barrett.
GIANTS: Right-hander Kurt Ainsworth could be out for the season with a broken right shoulder blade discovered by team doctors. Ainsworth, 5-4 with a 3.82 ERA in 11 starts during a promising rookie season, won't be allowed to throw for at least 4-6 weeks, and rehabilitation could take another month or more.
INDIANS: Ricky Gutierrez completed his comeback from offseason surgery on his neck and back when the team activated the infielder from the 60-day disabled list.
RED SOX: Outfielder Gabe Kapler signed a minor-league contract.
YANKEES: Centerfielder Bernie Williams could take batting practice today for the first time since knee surgery last month. There is no timetable for when first baseman-designated hitter Nick Johnson will return from a stress fracture in his right hand.
Also, outfielder Ruben Sierra had an MRI exam after slightly straining his right hamstring. He could miss a couple of games.
FSL NO-HITTER: Ken Chenard and Mike Cox combined to pitch the third no-hitter of the season for host St. Lucie in the Florida State League, beating Brevard County 5-0.
