"Agreement in principle" would move Rodriguez to third base, send Soriano to Rangers.
By MARC TOPKIN
Published February 15, 2004
When the Yankees open spring training in Tampa later this week, it appears they will have a new third baseman: Alex Rodriguez.
The Yankees, according to numerous reports Saturday night, are on the verge of acquiring A-Rod from the Rangers for Alfonso Soriano and a minor-leaguer.
The deal not only would allow the Yankees to add a player many think is the best in the game but would deliver a stunning blow to the rival Red Sox, who tried desperately earlier this offseason to acquire Rodriguez.
Both teams confirmed the talks without providing details, and MLB vice president Sandy Alderson told the New York Times, "It has reached the commissioner's office."
Texas general manager John Hart said in a statement it was "premature to talk about any potential transaction" and that "any deal would have to meet a lot of conditions and requirements in order to be accomplished."
Newsday, however, reported on its Web site Saturday afternoon the teams had reached "an agreement in principle" and the deal should be finalized within a few days after some "very minor technical details" are worked out. Other reports said the deal could be announced as soon as today.
Rodriguez has a no-trade clause but has long desired to play in the New York spotlight. The key to the deal was his apparent willingness to defer to Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter and move to third, a reflection of how badly Rodriguez wanted out of Texas.
When Boston tried to acquire Rodriguez for Manny Ramirez in December, the deal fell through when the players association and the Red Sox couldn't agree on a plan to restructure Rodriguez's 10-year, $252-million contract.
"Our reaction is, "Ah, the benefits of seemingly limitless pockets,' " Red Sox executive vice president for public affairs Charles Steinberg told the New York Times. "The challenge with us was trying to make the money work out. But perhaps that's not an issue with the New York ballclub."
In the deal with the Yankees, the Rangers will pay a hefty portion of the $179-million salary Rodriguez is owed over the next seven years - $40-million according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, $67-million according to the Associated Press.
Rodriguez also is owed $4-million of his signing bonus and $12-million in deferred salary, and there is talk about a restructuring to further defer those payments. The deal still would require approval from the commissioner's office because of the large amount of money involved and the union because of the slight contract restructuring, so it too could be foiled.
After the talks with the Red Sox collapsed, the Rangers made a big deal of saying they planned to keep Rodriguez, naming him team captain to show how important he was to them. Rodriguez, still frustrated at the team's poor showing, played along, talking about how he thought the Rangers had "a great plan" to get better.
But the Yankees, seeking a replacement for injured third baseman Aaron Boone, were willing to explore the possibility, and the Rangers apparently didn't have to think too long about it.
If Rodriguez takes over at third, the Yankees, with a total payroll that could exceed $200-million, may seek to fill the second base position from within, using Miguel Cairo or Enrique Wilson. A-Rod would make his Yankees debut against the Devil Rays in Japan, and the Rays will see plenty of him, with six of their first nine games against New York.
Soriano, who will make $5.4-million this year and won't be a free agent until after the 2006 season, will be used in centerfield or at second.
The Rangers will need to get a shortstop, and the Rays are one team with a surplus - Julio Lugo, Rey Sanchez and Deivi Cruz.
- Information from the Associated Press, the New York Times, Newsday, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and CBS Sportsline was used in this report.
