Issues with the restructuring of the MVP’s contract appear to be the only holdup.
ARLINGTON, Texas – The trade of Alex Rodriguez to the Boston Red Sox lurched a little closer to reality Tuesday night, just as the first signs appeared that a fractured Texas Rangers clubhouse would greet the shortstop should he return.
Tuesday’s events centered on the complex financial negotiations that would be needed to complete the mammoth Rodriguez-for-Manny Ramirez deal.
Players union deputy chief Gene Orza confirmed to the Associated Press that he met Tuesday in New York with Rodriguez and Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein.
A major league official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said commissioner Bud Selig has granted a 72-hour window, believed to be expiring Thursday morning, for Rodriguez and the Red Sox to complete negotiations aimed at restructuring the shortstop’s record $252 million contract.
Another major league official said Boston was working feverishly toward completing the trade details, which would send Ramirez and other considerations to the Rangers in an exchange of players with the two highest average annual salaries in baseball history. The latest round of talks could result in financial compromise by all parties that could also net the Rangers a pitching prospect.
“At this time, negotiations are at a sensitive point,” Rangers owner Tom Hicks said in a statement. “Due to this fact, we will have no further comment on this situation today.”
Red Sox officials also declined comment, with team president Larry Lucchino saying his club was going into “radio silence” until the talks are resolved, one way or another. Attempts to contact Orza and Rodriguez were unsuccessful.
Though it appeared the trade could be completed as early as Wednesday, the Rangers and Rodriguez would be uneasy bedfellows if the talks collapse.
Not only is there unresolved tension between the seven-time All-Star and manager Buck Showalter, but at least one veteran player said Rodriguez’s public desire to play elsewhere could cause suspicion in the clubhouse.
“From my standpoint, there’s no doubt you have to question whether that’s somebody you want in a foxhole with you on the day-to-day battle,” Rangers outfielder Rusty Greer said.
Injuries will prevent Greer from playing again in 2004, but at least one other player said privately that he shared Greer’s sentiment.
“Alex is always going to play hard,” Greer said. “But when you think about being there 100 percent of the time, there is a wedge. It’s hard not to see what has been said and what’s going on and have some questions.
“It may not affect one person the same way it affects others. . . . Overall, if he comes back, I think any (problem) would disappear quickly, because that’s the nature of the guys in the clubhouse. I think they are willing to forgive and forget.”
Hicks reiterated Monday that he has no qualms about keeping Rodriguez if unable to complete a deal that satisfies the owner’s desire for salary relief and financial compensation that could be directed toward free-agent pitchers next winter. He said he would expect Rangers teammates would welcome Rodriguez back with open arms if the trade talks fail.
First baseman Mark Teixeira, also a client of Rodriguez’s agent, Scott Boras, agreed.
“He’s just trying to do what’s best for himself and his career, and we can’t fault him for that,” Teixeira said. “If he does come back, we’re going to welcome him back. Personally, I’d be excited to continue to play with the best player in the game.”
But Teixeira admitted feeling “mixed emotions” about the increasing likelihood of a trade that plants Rodriguez in Fenway Park.
“Alex is a great player. I love playing with him,” Teixeira said. “But the organization feels maybe it could be better for us for him to move on. Either way, I think our front office is going to do what’s best for the team. And I think we have to . . . trust that they’re going to make the right decisions.”
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(c) 2003, The Dallas Morning News.
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Alex Rodriguez
AP-NY-12-17-03 0001EST
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