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Texas
Rangers roll out the red-carpet for A-Rod. November 27, 2000 --
Baseball's biggest free-agent, Alex Rodriguez is getting red-carpet treatment from the Texas
Rangers.
Even the NHL hockey team, the Dallas Stars are lending a hand in trying to
sway the Latino slugging shortstop over to Texas.
Rodriguez and agent Scott Boras were expected to meet Monday with Rangers owner Tom Hicks. The
Rangers bid for Rodriguez hasn't been slowed by the expected demand of at least a 10-year contract, in the range of $20 million a
year, loaded with fringe benefits.
"I'm not saying we have all the money in the world, but we don't have to bust our budget completely. We're in a better position than most
other clubs.'' One of the reasons they have ample money for A-Rod is
because last year they trade Juan Gonzalez to the Detroit Tigers and that
opened up salary money.
Dallas Stars center Mike Modano is being called in to help show Rodriguez around the Dallas-Fort Worth area
and tell him why it would be a great place to play.
A-Rod, 25, who is a native New Yorker, hit .316 with 41 homers and 132 RBIs
with the Seattle Mariners last season.
It is not expected for the Rangers to make a formal offer until they can gauge the level of
interest from Rodriguez.
If A-Rod becomes a Ranger, he will replace the soft hitting Royce Clayton
at shortstop who batted .242 with 14 home runs and 53 RBIs. A huge
upgrade at the shortstop position - offensively and defensively.
A-Rod likely will continue to visit the teams on his list before getting back to the Rangers.
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