On Again, Off Again, As The A-Rod Rotates



from ESPN.com :

The Rodriguez to Boston deal is likely to happen within the next 24 to 72 hours as both sides have basically agreed to the terms of the trade, ESPN's Peter Gammons reports. The only thing holding up the deal is Red Sox owner John Henry and Rodriguez needing to finalize the re-structuring of Rodriguez's contract.

The Red Sox have agreed on a trade that would send Nomar Garciaparra to the Dodgers for a pitcher and prospects, and just need the A-Rod deal to go through, Gammons adds. Other elements include Todd Walker signing with the Rangers to play second and Michael Young moving over to play shortstop. All of this is in flux, but it appears this deal is going to happen barring a last-second change of heart.

From Jayson Stark's ESPN.com column :
The Red Sox and Rangers began actively talking about this megaswap again late Saturday. A source tells Peter Gammons that the owners have edged closer -- and it's possible the deal could be completed in the next 24-to-72 hours.
It isn't known whether the Rangers would still receive cash in the deal, along with Ramirez. That apparently will be determined by whether Rodriguez agrees to restructure his contract.
Depending on how much cash is involved, the Red Sox also will send one or two prospects to Texas.
Miguel Tejada's contract (six years, $72 million) essentially ended the Red Sox negotiations with Nomar Garcia on an extension. The Red Sox apparently weren't prepared to pay Garciaparra significantly more than what Tejada got. (In other words, Garciaparra is still looking for $15 million a year.)
So the Red Sox have resumed exploring possible trade destinations for Garciaparra -- with the Dodgers still the most logical destination.
And the trading of Garciaparra could expand into a three-way blockbuster in which the Red Sox would get one of the Dodgers' starting pitchers -- most likely Odalis Perez -- then spin him elsewhere for a left-fielder.
The Rangers, meanwhile, actually postponed their departure from the winter meetings Monday to negotiate a quick, tentative two-year contract with Todd Walker to play second base once this trade goes down. Then, they would move Michael Young to shortstop.

Posted: Mon - December 15, 2003 at 05:25 PM      

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