ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) – Alex Rodriguez will remain the Texas shortstop if a proposed trade with Boston isn’t completed by Tuesday, Rangers owner Tom Hicks said.

Team spokesman Gregg Elkin said Sunday night that Hicks set a deadline of 5 p.m. EST Tuesday. If a deal isn’t done by then, Hicks has told general manager John Hart to work toward 2004 with Rodriguez, the AL MVP, as the starting shortstop.

“This is a critical time in the offseason for us. There are a lot of non-tenders on the market and we have to make decisions,” Hicks said on the Rangers Web site. “We have to lock in and make plans for this season.”

Phone messages left for Hicks and an e-mail sent to the owner were not immediately responded to.

Red Sox president Larry Lucchino proclaimed the trade “dead” Thursday, blaming the players’ association for not approving a $28 million-to-$30 million reduction in Rodriguez’s $252 million, 10-year contract. Texas, also blaming the union, said it wasn’t prepared to say talks were over.

Manny Ramirez, baseball’s only other $20 million-a-year player, would go from Boston to Texas if the deal is completed. The Red Sox presumably would then trade longtime shortstop Nomar Garciaparra, possibly to the Chicago White Sox.

AP-ES-12-21-03 2202EST