3afan2K3
02-14-2004, 04:27 PM
ESPN.com news services
NEW YORK -- Alex Rodriguez will be playing third base for the Yankees this season, alongside shortstop Derek Jeter, if Newsday is to be believed.
The 600,000-plus circulation newspaper on suburban Long Island, N.Y., reported on its web site Saturday afternoon that A-Rod is desperate to get out of Texas and would be willing to switch positions to get to New York.
Earlier Saturday, reacting to a report in Newsday's morning edition that talks of a trade were serious, a source close to the conversations told ESPN that talks are in the early stages but that it's a "longshot" the deal will ever be completed because of "many hurdles" that stand in the way.
According to the Newsday web report, those hurdles are in the process of being knocked down. No announcement is expected today, according to Newsday, as some minor technical details remain to be worked out, but the story reported that all sides remain confident everything will be finalized within a few days.
The New York Post, which is usually leading the way when sensational stories pop up, reported Saturday only that the Yankees have asked the Rangers about their interest in making such a trade, in which Alfonso Soriano would leave New York.
On Saturday afternoon, The Associated Press reported that the Yanks and Rangers had started preliminary discussions Wednesday night, according to a high-ranking baseball official, and that it's still too early to tell whether they will lead to a deal. Rodriguez has a no-trade clause but has said he would be amenable to a deal to the Yankees, the official said.
Soriano, 25, is signed only through 2004, for $5.4 million. He can't be a free agent until after the 2006 season. The 28-year-old Rodriguez is owed $189 million over the next seven years, although he can opt out after 2007. Thus, the Yankees would take on an extra $183.6 million guaranteed if the deal is consummated.
However, according to Newsday's source, the Rangers would be willing to foot some of that bill. The American League source also told Newsday that the two clubs talked late into Friday night about the trade.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman admitted to the Post on Friday that he has approached the Rangers about a deal, but was initially turned down.
"There are many times I float weather balloons to my counterparts," Cashman told the Post. "I won't comment on trade rumors, but it should come as no surprise that I am constantly floating weather balloons to my counterparts. Ninety-nine [percent] of them get popped and fall to the ground."
Texas officials did not immediately return telephone calls, according to the AP, which reached Rodriguez's agent, Scott Boras, only to have him say, "I can't comment on the situation."
The Post reported that the Yankees would likely have to give up Jose Contreras as well as minor-league catcher Dioner Navarro in such a trade.
The Red Sox and Rangers talked extensively this winter about a deal involving A-Rod, but could not get it done, thanks to A-Rod's contract. The two teams did agree to a trade in December, but the union refused to approve it, declaring that A-Rod was setting an unacceptable precedent by diminishing his contract's value.
Rangers owner Tom Hicks then announced that Rodriguez would stay with the Rangers, and last month the team named A-Rod its captain.
The Yankees recently lost third baseman Aaron Boone to what likely is a season-ending knee injury. The trade would create a void at second base for the Yankees. Enrique Wilson and Miguel Cairo would have to share the duties.
Rodriguez, who has 345 career homers, is coming off an MVP season in which he hit .298 with 47 homers and 118 RBI.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1735039
<small>[ February 14, 2004, 03:28 PM: Message edited by: 3afan2K3 ]</small>
NEW YORK -- Alex Rodriguez will be playing third base for the Yankees this season, alongside shortstop Derek Jeter, if Newsday is to be believed.
The 600,000-plus circulation newspaper on suburban Long Island, N.Y., reported on its web site Saturday afternoon that A-Rod is desperate to get out of Texas and would be willing to switch positions to get to New York.
Earlier Saturday, reacting to a report in Newsday's morning edition that talks of a trade were serious, a source close to the conversations told ESPN that talks are in the early stages but that it's a "longshot" the deal will ever be completed because of "many hurdles" that stand in the way.
According to the Newsday web report, those hurdles are in the process of being knocked down. No announcement is expected today, according to Newsday, as some minor technical details remain to be worked out, but the story reported that all sides remain confident everything will be finalized within a few days.
The New York Post, which is usually leading the way when sensational stories pop up, reported Saturday only that the Yankees have asked the Rangers about their interest in making such a trade, in which Alfonso Soriano would leave New York.
On Saturday afternoon, The Associated Press reported that the Yanks and Rangers had started preliminary discussions Wednesday night, according to a high-ranking baseball official, and that it's still too early to tell whether they will lead to a deal. Rodriguez has a no-trade clause but has said he would be amenable to a deal to the Yankees, the official said.
Soriano, 25, is signed only through 2004, for $5.4 million. He can't be a free agent until after the 2006 season. The 28-year-old Rodriguez is owed $189 million over the next seven years, although he can opt out after 2007. Thus, the Yankees would take on an extra $183.6 million guaranteed if the deal is consummated.
However, according to Newsday's source, the Rangers would be willing to foot some of that bill. The American League source also told Newsday that the two clubs talked late into Friday night about the trade.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman admitted to the Post on Friday that he has approached the Rangers about a deal, but was initially turned down.
"There are many times I float weather balloons to my counterparts," Cashman told the Post. "I won't comment on trade rumors, but it should come as no surprise that I am constantly floating weather balloons to my counterparts. Ninety-nine [percent] of them get popped and fall to the ground."
Texas officials did not immediately return telephone calls, according to the AP, which reached Rodriguez's agent, Scott Boras, only to have him say, "I can't comment on the situation."
The Post reported that the Yankees would likely have to give up Jose Contreras as well as minor-league catcher Dioner Navarro in such a trade.
The Red Sox and Rangers talked extensively this winter about a deal involving A-Rod, but could not get it done, thanks to A-Rod's contract. The two teams did agree to a trade in December, but the union refused to approve it, declaring that A-Rod was setting an unacceptable precedent by diminishing his contract's value.
Rangers owner Tom Hicks then announced that Rodriguez would stay with the Rangers, and last month the team named A-Rod its captain.
The Yankees recently lost third baseman Aaron Boone to what likely is a season-ending knee injury. The trade would create a void at second base for the Yankees. Enrique Wilson and Miguel Cairo would have to share the duties.
Rodriguez, who has 345 career homers, is coming off an MVP season in which he hit .298 with 47 homers and 118 RBI.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1735039
<small>[ February 14, 2004, 03:28 PM: Message edited by: 3afan2K3 ]</small>