Yankees nab A-Rod from Texas

Related Stories

A-Rod's career stats and highlights.

Alex Rodriguez is wins his first MVP award.

A-Rod wins his second Gold Glove award at shortstop.

A-Rod for Manny Ramirez deal is dead.

Shocker! A-Rod is headed to New York

"I want to make it abundantly clear to all clubs that I will not allow cash transfers of this magnitude to become the norm. However, given the unique circumstances, including the size, length and complexity of Mr. Rodriguez's contract and the quality of the talent moving in both directions, I have decided to approve the transaction." Baseball commissioner Bud Selig.

Written by Nelson Ortiz and Ozzie Gonzalez, Latinosportslegends.com

February 15, 2004 -- Just when you thought, George Steinbrenner and the Yanks were fresh out of tricks for the start of the 2004 season, they pull off a show stopper.

In a move slicker than Houdini could get out of handcuffs, the New York Yankees acquired Alex Rodriguez, the 2003 American League MVP from the Texas Rangers for second baseman Alfonso Soriano and a player to be named.

"I'm pretty excited. This is a big, big one," Yankees owner George Steinbrenner said at the team's minor league complex in Tampa, Fla. "It ranks with when we signed Reggie."

The Yankees will pay 15 million per year to A-Rod in 2004, 2005 and 2006, $16 million in 2007 and 2008, $17 million in 2009 and $18 million in 2010. The Rangers will pay A-Rod $3 million in 2004, $6 million in 2005 and 2006, $7 million in 2007, $8 million in 2009 and $6 million in 2010 for their share.

To keep Derek Jeter at shortstop, the Yankees will shift, A-Rod to third base, taking the place of injured Aaron Boone. who tore his ACL in his left knee last month playing basketball.

The trade comes just days before teams were to report for spring training. "It's clearly a blow," Red Sox CEO Larry Lucchino said. "A-Rod's an exceptional player. Any team would be stronger for getting him. There comes a time when you have to tip your cap to your adversary."

Even the President of the United States, George W. Bush was surprise by the trade. "I was just as surprised as the Yankee fans and the Boston Red Sox fans when I opened up my paper today," President Bush, the Rangers' former owner, told NBC at the Daytona 500. "It, obviously, is a big deal. ... A-Rod's a great player and the Yanks are going to be a heck of a team with him in the infield."

Soriano is signed only through this year at $5.4 million and will be shifted to the outfield or to his natural position of shortstop with the Rangers.

The player to be named later is thought at this point to be Jose Contreras.