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.