SPORTS
Rodriguez to join Yankees
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Monday, February 16, 2004
NEW YORK (REUTERS) — The New York Yankees have completed a trade for coveted All-Star Alex Rodriguez from the Texas Rangers, a media report said Sunday.
Rodriguez, 28, will join the Yankees in exchange for second baseman Alfonso Soriano and another unnamed player, ESPN’s website said.
ESPN radio said the two teams are waiting for Major League Baseball’s approval before making an official announcement Sunday.
Other media reports have already dubbed the imminent deal for the American League MVP as one of the biggest in MLB history.
It brings together the widely-regarded “best player in baseball” with the league’s most successful team.
Rodriguez could have moved to the Yankees’ bitter rivals the Boston Red Sox at the end of last year but the suggested trade — which involved outfielder Manny Ramirez — was ultimately blocked by the players’ union.
According to media reports, the Yankees and Rangers pressed ahead with their trade this week when Rodriguez agreed to move from his favored position of shortstop to third base.
The Yankees need to replace injured third baseman Aaron Boone while captain Derek Jeter, an icon at Yankee Stadium, is likely to remain as shortstop.
The Rangers, who gave Rodriguez a 10-year contract worth $252 million in 2000, wanted to relieve themselves of the financial burden of his salary.
