Spring Break
Rodriguez traded to Yankees
By: Ronald Blum — The Associated Press
Issue date: 2/17/04 Section: Sports
NEW YORK - It's a done deal: Alex Rodriguez is a Yankee.
Commissioner Bud Selig approved the record-setting swap Monday, allowing the reigning American League MVP to be traded to New York by the Texas Rangers.
''I'm pretty excited. This is a big, big one,'' Yankees owner George Steinbrenner said.
''It ranks with when we signed Reggie,'' he said, a reference to when slugger Reggie Jackson joined the Yankees before the 1977 season.
Texas will pay $67 million of the $179 million left on Rodriguez's $252 million, 10-year contract, the most cash included in a trade in major league history. The Rangers get All-Star second baseman Alfonso Soriano and a player to be named - but they also will pay Rodriguez through 2025.
''I am very concerned about the large amount of cash consideration involved in the transaction, and the length of time over which the cash is being paid,'' Selig said.
''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.''
Rodriguez will move from shortstop, a position at which he's been an All-Star seven times, to third base, where he will replace injured Aaron Boone. The Yankees will keep Derek Jeter at shortstop.
"Jeter is the captain. He is the leader," Steinbrenner said at the team's minor league complex in Tampa, Fla.
Both Jeter and Yankees manager Joe Torre were expected to attend Tuesday's news conference at Yankee Stadium to introduce Rodriguez.
Torre will miss the first day of spring training.
Steinbrenner praised Rodriguez's decision to move to third.
''I was very impressed. He's an outstanding young fellow. He'll be very big in New York,'' Steinbrenner said.
Rodriguez, who waived his no-trade clause, was desperate to play for a winner.
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