Sox Stuck Again

Yankees grab A-Rod in blockbuster trade; Soriano to Texas




By: Russ Rose
Special to Yankees Talk Shop
February 15, 2004


Once again, the Yankees have stuck it to the Boston Red Sox. In a monster “in-your-face” move the Yankees have obtained the services of all-star shortstop Alex Rodriguez. Rodriguez, arguably the best player in baseball, was the subject of a hot trade that would have sent him to the Boston Red Sox for their all-star left fielder Manny Ramirez. Unfortunately for the Sox the MLBPA would not allow the crown jewel of all contracts to be restructured. They nixed the deal and the trade fell by the wayside.

One thing I’ve learned about the Yankees over the years is it is always the trade rumors you never hear about that get done. In a master stroke the Yankees put up a great smoke screen. After third baseman Aaron Boone blew up his Yankees’ career by blowing out his knee the Yankees went out and signed journeyman third baseman Mike Lamb to take Boone’s place. It was figured that the Yankees just needed a warm glove at the corner as the team would depend on the other eight guys to drive the offense. No one suspected Texas Ranger owner Tom Hicks would call the Yankees and propose a trade involving their newly named captain. No one saw it coming.

Yesterday, in a sports scoop coup the New York Post first reported the possibility of the trade. The Yankees would send all-star second baseman Alfonso Soriano and a player to-be-named-later to the Rangers for Rodriguez. The Yankees, in accepting the deal, will be on the hook for most of Rodriguez’ remaining contract. That would be seven years at around $179 million. However, along with sending Rodriguez the Rangers will send $60 million in cash. This will reduce the Yankees’ payment to Rodriguez from around $25 million per year to about $16 million.

As much as most Yankees’ fans love Alfonso Soriano there is just no downside to this trade. We’re getting the best player in baseball. And with Rodriguez agreeing to move over to third base it will give the Yankees one of the most powerful infields in history. A line up made up of Kenny Lofton, Derek Jeter, Jason Giambi, Alex Rodriguez, Gary Sheffield, Bernie Williams, Jorge Posada and Hideki Matsui has me drooling like Saint Bernard right now. The loss of Roger Clemens and Andy Petttite doesn’t seem so painful now.

As one might surmise the Red Sox nation is in a state of shock today. The Boston papers are bemoaning how the “Evil Empire” has done it to them again. However, even Red Sox CEO Larry Lucchino was impressed with the trade. “There comes a time when you have to tip your cap to your adversary,” Lucchino said.

Let’s make a disclaimer here. As great as this trade is and as big an impact it will apparently have on the balance of power in the East Division obtaining Alex Rodriguez guarantees the Yankees and their fans nothing. Keep in mind we let a first baseman named Tino Martinez go and signed a powerhouse named Jason Giambi. Martinez won four rings in his six years with the Bombers and Giambi has none. This team still has to go out and play 162 games and it has to beat its opponents head-to-head. On paper the Yankees look darned near invincible, but even paper can be shredded. So, while I am as happy as the next Yankee fan about this trade I want to temper my enthusiasm with a dose of reality.

Welcome aboard Alex. I have no doubt you will be a force in pinstripes. Welcome to all that is the New York Yankees. Now go out and do us proud.


PLAY BALL!


(c) 2004 Yankees Talk Shop @ ezboard.com

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