A-Rod to Yanks?

[XERXES]

New York Post Online

October 28, 2003 -- THEY haven't won the World Series in three straight years, which in Steinbrenner Years, is 21 seasons.
As the rain poured down on Yankee Stadium yesterday and Derek Jeter & Co. cleaned out their lockers, the Yankees' Tampa and New York families were gathering for a Florida summit that is sure to turn ugly. The news could soon get much worse for the Yankees. The rumblings are stronger than ever out of Texas that Alex Rodriguez wants to get away from the Rangers as soon as possible.

The best baseball player on the planet would love to land in one of these three cities: New York, Chicago or, and here is the kicker, Boston. If A-Rod lands with the Red Sox, would you want to be anywhere near The Boss?

I didn't think so.

Jim Duquette, in his first order of business as Mets post-interim GM, should make a deal with the Rangers and get Rodriguez so the Mets could play dueling Hall of Fame shortstops with the Yankees.

It would be the type of bold stroke that would actually get people interested in the Mets again. I don't know how you feel, but watching Jason Phillips grow didn't do it for me.

There are some in the Red Sox hierarchy who would love to see Nomar Garciaparra pack his bags as soon as possible and move to the West Coast to play with the Dodgers, where he could use the outfield for soccer matches all winter long with Mia.



Garciaparra doesn't exactly fit the profile for the kind of star the Red Sox want to build around and he can leave as a free agent after next year anyway.

Rodriguez still has seven years left on his contract at $154 million. Only a few teams can afford that glue. The Red Sox are one of them. Rodriguez, and his .396 on-base percentage, 47 home runs and 118 RBIs would make that lineup a Green Monster's Row.

The boldest move of all could be made by the Yankees. They could start with a package that includes Alfonso Soriano and make a deal for Rodriguez, but then they would have to figure out who would play shortstop, Jeter or A-Rod, with the other moving to second or third.

That controversy itself would guarantee the back page every day for Steinbrenner and would put the YES ratings through the roof. And the Yankees wouldn't be going 0-for-12 with runners on base like they did in Game 6.

If you are going to be the Evil Empire, you might as well go the distance.

Just look at the three teams - Arizona, Anaheim and Florida - that have won the World Series the last three years. They all were teams that did the little things right. The Marlins also had a seasoned baseball man in 72-year-old Jack McKeon who knows how to evaluate the talent given to him and how best to use it. He also had ownership's ear.

Steinbrenner really has no baseball senior citizen like that to rely on in his inner circle.

The Yankees are in danger of being lapped by the Red Sox, who dumped manager Grady Little yesterday. The changes the Yankees make must be the right changes.

"We've always made additions, subtractions; we do all kinds of things here," Jeter said. "The thing that you learn is you wait until spring training to see what kind of team you have.

"[Steinbrenner] is willing to spend and that's good; he wants to win," Jeter added. "I don't know what his plans are, I don't know if he's trying to increase payroll, decrease payroll, but one thing you know for sure is he's going to give you the chance to win."

Go all the way, George. Get A-Rod.

[Rhylan]

Originally posted by: XERXES
New York Post

'nuff said

[Chiwas]

They could start with a package that includes Alfonso Soriano and make a deal for Rodriguez, but then they would have to figure out who would play shortstop, Jeter or A-Rod, with the other moving to second or third.

Getting rid of Soriano and having Jeter and Alex in the infield? I love to dream.

[mavsfanforever]

Originally posted by: Chiwas

Getting rid of Soriano and having Jeter and Alex in the infield? I love to dream.

Sounds like Yankees are gonna hire Nellie as their manager.

[Chiwas]

Originally posted by: mavsfanforever
Sounds like Yankees are gonna hire Nellie as their manager.

I don't expect Torre to stay after three years of failing.

(And the Mavs won't release Nellie before 2013. [img]i/expressions/moon.gif[/img] )

[BQuinn2210]

Joe isnt goin anywhere. The thing i hope happens would be for grady little to take zim's place and valentine to coach the sox! what a series that would be.

[Chicago JK]

How about Kurt Thomas and Charlie Ward for ARod???

[BQuinn2210]

The rangers (Tom hicks) and a-rod already talked about his contract and he expressed that he wants to stay with the team. hicks would be crazy to break up that incredible infield but if we did trade with the yankees i would want pettitte and soriano. I still dont think a-rod is going anywhere.

[MavsFanatik33]

A-Rod isn't going anywhere, but if he does....PLEASE don't go to the damn yanks Alex,please!

[Fah Q]

Originally posted by: BQuinn2210
The rangers (Tom hicks) and a-rod already talked about his contract and he expressed that he wants to stay with the team. hicks would be crazy to break up that incredible infield but if we did trade with the yankees i would want pettitte and soriano. I still dont think a-rod is going anywhere.

pettite is a free agent

[jayC]

Still it does have some merit. Notice all sports rumors hardly ever come true from the post or not.

Id do it just to get out from under AROD's enormous salary. Its just impossible to win when your owner won't spend more then 70 million dollars. Id use the AROD money to sign Andy Petite and perhaps Bartolo Colon. Pitching, Pitching, Pitching the Rangers have none until they get it we will never win! Not to mention Soriano is a great young second baseman.

Note where will that incredible infield take them to last place.

[Murphy3]

Its just impossible to win when your owner won't spend more then 70 million dollars

watch the world series this year?

[kingrex]

the lack of a cap in baseball is both what makes baseball rock and what makes it so (seemingly) unfair.

[jayC]

Look Murph,
I get it a team with a 70 million dollar payroll can win big. If they have big time young arms the marlins have them the rangers don't. If they don't have one guy that comprises 36 percent of the total payroll of the team.

Besides Soriano would be the perfect leadoff hitter for the offense. Just move Mike Young to center and we have just solved our problem in center field.

[Murphy3]

Originally posted by: jayC
Look Murph,
I get it a team with a 70 million dollar payroll can win big. If they have big time young arms the marlins have them the rangers don't. If they don't have one guy that comprises 36 percent of the total payroll of the team.

How am I supposed to know that you 'get it' when this is included in your originall statement?:

Its just impossible to win when your owner won't spend more then 70 million dollars.

But, JayC, I'm more than willing to give you the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps your first statement just didn't come across as initially intended.

[XERXES]

I love A-Rod. It's obvious that he is the best player in baseball...but, JayC had a keen observation that this "great infield" finished in last place.

If we can get value back we MUST trade A-Rod. If we could get a legit #1 or #2 starter, a shortstop, and a prospect or two - I'd make that deal in a heartbeat!

[Murphy3]

oh sure, xerxes..if someone is willing to give the rangers a ridiculous deal in return full of young-stud starting pitchers and perhaps a prospect or two..then yeah, it could be worth it.

when it comes to making trades..never say never

[Ummmmm Ok]

Rangers reportedly trying to deal A-Rod, interested in Clemens
Nov. 11, 2003
SportsLine.com wire reports

DALLAS -- According to a pair of reports, the Texas Rangers are looking into trading All-Star shortstop Alex Rodriguez, and are also interested in having Roger Clemens pitch for them in 2004.

New York Newsday reported Tuesday that the Rangers recently discussed a huge, three-team trade that involved Rodriguez and Boston Red Sox All-Star shortstop Nomar Garciaparra.

According to the paper, the discussions centered around the Rangers sending Rodriguez to Boston. The Red Sox would then deal Garciaparra to Anaheim, with the Angels shipping shortstop David Eckstein and a few pitchers to the Rangers.

There have been a lot of rumors recently about Texas trying to move Rodriguez, although the shortstop has maintained he expects to be in Texas next season.

Also, Texas general manager John Hart denied he has had talks with other teams about a trade for Rodriguez.

With the poor economics in baseball, it's not likely a team would be interested in taking on Rodriguez's incredible $252 million, 10-year contract. However, the scenario mentioned by Newsday could fit for both Rodriguez and Garciaparra. Rodriguez, who has seven years left on his contract, could play for a team that is committed to spending money to win a championship. Garciaparra would play in his home state of California.

Rodriguez has a complete no-trade clause, and Newsday reported that he would have total say over where he is dealt. The Angels, Orioles and Dodgers also reportedly have the money to spend to get Rodriguez.

The newspaper reports the Yankees would probably not be a good fit for Rodriguez for two major reasons. New York shortstop Derek Jeter and A-Rod, former best friends, have had a falling out. Also, the Yankees would have to ask either Jeter or Rodriguez to move somewhere else in the infield.

Meanwhile, the Dallas Morning News reported Tuesday that according to a club source, the Rangers have contacted Allan Hendricks, Clemens' longtime agent.

The Rangers are reportedly trying to see if Clemens is serious about retirement, or if he'll consider pitching in a situation similar to what Nolan Ryan had when he came to the Rangers in 1989.

Ryan was able to pitch in as many home games as possible while spending time with his family. Clemens announced his decision to retire earlier this year for similar reasons. The 41-year-old Clemens lives in Houston.

Clemens, baseball's only six-time Cy Young Award winner, has pitched for the Yankees the past five seasons. He went 17-9 with a 3.91 ERA this year and surpassed the 300-win mark and 4,000-strikeout plateau earlier this season.

Instead of filling out retirement papers, Clemens has filed for free agency, which leaves the door open if he wants to return for a 21st season. If the Yankees don't offer Clemens salary arbitration by Dec. 7, they would not be able to re-sign him until May 1. By that time, it's likely another team would snatch up the Rocket.

This is just another article I found on the Rangers Rumor about Arod.

[steponhens]

The only way I like this trade idea is if the Rangers get Francisco Rodriguez and spend all the money they save from A-Rod on starting pitchers such as Kevin Milwood and Bartolo Colon.

[Max Power]

I think the Rangers will probably move A-Rod at these winter meetings. Just a feeling.

[FineCubanCigar]

i agree Max, to get maxim value the real key is to play the Mets, Yanks, and Boston against each other to aquire the best arms and/or prospects possible. George would through a fit if either of the other 2 teams aquired A-Rod with the Yanks not making so much as an offer!