The biggest trade since Babe Ruth
All I have to say is WOWZERS to the deal that NY Newsday is saying is near completion... only thing they're working out is the money, so it still could fall through, but it's unlikel. We've all heard the first part of the deal, but I'm absolutely shocked at the second part... and I'm guessing so are the Dodgers.
if this deal does in fact go through, and boston STILL can't win the world series, then we will forever know that the curse does in fact exist.
All I have to say is WOWZERS to the deal that NY Newsday is saying is near completion... only thing they're working out is the money, so it still could fall through, but it's unlikel. We've all heard the first part of the deal, but I'm absolutely shocked at the second part... and I'm guessing so are the Dodgers.
By Jon Heyman and Ken Davidoff
Staff Writers
December 17, 2003
The Red Sox moved a gigantic step closer to finishing the long-awaited trade for superstar Alex Rodriguez when they agreed yesterday to send shortstop Nomar Garciaparra to the White Sox for outfielder Magglio Ordo?ez, contingent upon completion of the Rodriguez-for-Manny Ramirez megadeal, National League sources told Newsday yesterday.
The stunning agreement with Chicago potentially opens the Red Sox's shortstop position for Rodriguez, the 2003 American League MVP, and sets the table for Boston's greatest offseason ever. The Red Sox's probable double blockbuster would be a major coup for the historic and ill-fated franchise as it tries to break its 85-year championship jinx and the Yankees' stranglehold on the intense AL East.
The Red Sox, already a big winter winner after the acquisition of Curt Schilling, have had their sights set on Rodriguez for weeks as they aim to remake their lineup and clubhouse. Ordo?ez, who hit .317 with 29 homers and 99 RBIs last season, is a surprise bonus for Boston. Garciaparra hit .301 with 28 homers and 105 RBIs.
Baseball people believe the Rodriguez-Ramirez swap is inevitable now, and Rodriguez met yesterday in New York with Red Sox GM Theo Epstein and union lawyer Gene Orza, whose presence indicates Rodriguez might consider deferring some monies or reworking a part of his $252-million Rangers contract. Rodriguez's agent, Scott Boras, said he planned to take a late flight to New York last night to join the talks.
"They're going to get this deal done," said one person involved in the talks. Speaking of Rodriguez and Garciaparra, that person said, "Neither one can go back to their club. This is too far down the road."
Rodriguez is scheduled to appear this week on the Today Show, whose host, Katie Couric, is the girlfriend of Tom Werner, a Red Sox owner.
All sides were working feverishly late last night in hopes of wrapping up things soon. There was talk that commissioner Bud Selig, who's granted special permission for Red Sox owner John Henry to meet with Rodriguez, might set a quick deadline to resolve the matter.
There was word Rangers owner Tom Hicks still was hoping to get Boston to include cash in the deal. "He's trying to get the Red Sox to pay for his mistake. We all told him the $252-million contract was a mistake three years ago," one baseball executive said. Rodriguez has $179 million and seven years left on his deal. Ramirez has $97.5 million and five years remaining on his.
The Garciaparra-Ordo?ez deal makes sense for all parties involved but shocked the Dodgers, who were hoping to land either player to fortify their offense. Word of the deal also was said to have stunned Garciaparra, a California resident hoping to go to the Dodgers or Angels. Garciaparra does not have a no-trade clause and can do nothing to prevent the deal.
Boston will send reliever Scott Williamson along with Garciaparra to Chicago and the White Sox will send Boston two pitching prospects, provided the Rodriguez-Ramirez deal is completed. Boston probably will send some young pitchers to Texas along with Ramirez to sweeten the deal.
The White Sox had been shopping Ordo?ez, whom Chicago believed it would have no chance to re-sign when he becomes a free agent after this year.
Ordo?ez is to make $12 million in 2004, nearly the same salary as Garciaparra. White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf has an excellent relationship with Garciaparra's agent, Arn Tellem, and may have hopes he can lock up Garciaparra on a long-term deal.
Boston's Henry is conscious of public relations, and the smooth, smiling A-Rod fits better than Garciaparra, who's had a combative relationship with some of Boston's tough press. Rodriguez hit .298 with 47 home runs and 118 RBIs for Texas in 2003.
Boston had been seeking to find a taker for Ramirez, who annoyed them by calling in sick during an important late-season series with the Yankees. Ramirez hit .325 with 37 homers and 104 RBIs in 2003.
if this deal does in fact go through, and boston STILL can't win the world series, then we will forever know that the curse does in fact exist.