Despite A-Rod’s move to New York, it’s business as usual for Boston.

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) – Red Sox reliever Alan Embree pitched off the rubber. Catcher Doug Mirabelli unloaded the trailer attached to his van. Workmen installed a new chain-link fence around the batting cages.

On the day Alex Rodriguez was introduced as the newest New York Yankee, it was business as usual at Boston’s spring training stadium Tuesday.

“You didn’t want to see A-Rod go to the Yankees,” Mirabelli said, “but just because he’s there, we’re not scared.”

Last year’s AL most valuable player nearly went to the Red Sox for Manny Ramirez. The deal fell through when the players’ union said it would lower the value of Rodriguez’s contract. On Dec. 23, the Red Sox rejected the final proposal made by Texas owner Tom Hicks.

So when the Yankees traded for Rodriguez, they added another episode to the rich history between the AL East rivals.

With Derek Jeter at shortstop, Rodriguez will move to third base where Aaron Boone could be out for the year after suffering a serious knee injury playing basketball on Jan. 17. It was Boone’s 11th-inning homer that beat the Red Sox in Game 7 of last year’s AL championship series.

The trade for Rodriguez shows the Yankees “are worried about us in a way,” Embree said. “They know we have a very good ballclub this year and it’s exciting.”

Boston’s first formal workout for pitchers and catchers is scheduled for Saturday, but some arrived earlier, including newly acquired closer Keith Foulke.

The Red Sox set a major-league record for slugging percentage last year, then focused on their pitching staff by adding Curt Schilling and Foulke. They also picked up designated hitter-outfielder Ellis Burks and slick-fielding second baseman Pokey Reese.

The Yankees had more big-name additions: pitchers Kevin Brown and Javier Vazquez and outfielders Gary Sheffield and Kenny Lofton. And now, Rodriguez.

“Having a lot of guys over there that are All-Stars, that’s going to be tough. They can’t deny that,” Mirabelli said. “There’s going to be some egos over there.”

The Red Sox could have their own attitude problems with Ramirez, who wasn’t claimed when they placed him on waivers, and shortstop Nomar Garciaparra, who they planned to trade if they had obtained Rodriguez.

“Nomar’s professional enough that he’s going to be able to handle all this,” Embree said. “And I don’t think Manny cares. He’s going to hit no matter where he’s playing.”

Both players praised Red Sox management even though it wouldn’t pay enough to get Rodriguez, leaving the door open for Yankees owner George Steinbrenner to upstage his team’s chief rival.

“You can’t fault Steinbrenner for going and doing what he did. We chose not to and he chose to do it,” Embree said. “He’ll do what it takes to win and that’s what this organization is showing that’s they want to do, too. Ownership has shown that they’re committed to winning in Boston.”

The Red Sox were five outs away from the World Series, leading the Yankees 5-2 in the bottom of the eighth of Game 7 of the ALCS. But New York tied it in that inning, then won on Boone’s solo homer off Tim Wakefield.

The Yankees failed to win the World Series for the third straight year, losing to Florida. The Red Sox last won it in 1918 but have finished second in the AL East the past six seasons.

“There’s definitely a respect for the Red Sox from the Yankees,” Mirabelli said. “I don’t know if they’d ever admit it but they know they have a fight on their hand every time they play us, regardless of who they have on their team.”

AP-ES-02-17-04 1628EST