Posted on 02/14/2004 1:44:31 PM PST by YankeeMagic
-Rod reportedly traded to Yanks Print story AIM story Email story FOXSports.com Posted: 2 minutes ago The Yankees and Rangers have an agreement in principle on a monster trade that will send shortstop Alex Rodriguez to New York in exchange for Alfonso Soriano, Newsday is reporting.
No announcement is expected Saturday since there are still a few minor details to work out, but both sides are confident those won't hold up the deal. Rodriguez, the AL MVP, would be moved from shortstop to third base by New York, seeking to fill the hole created when Aaron Boone hurt a knee last month in a pickup basketball game, an injury that will require surgery. Derek Jeter, the Yankees' captain, would remain at shortstop.
The Yankees are expected to send a minor-league pitcher along with Soriano to Texas to complete the deal.
I have a theory on why this all went down. Jeter and A-Rod used to be best friends. Then A-Rod said some cranky stuff about Jeter a few years ago in GQ, and they had a falling-out. But they must have patched things up recently, as they just did a commercial together for MLB (the ad ran right after the Super Bowl.) Anyhow, I think Captain Jeter personally talked him into coming here and playing third; in return, A-Rod's got a real chance at getting a ring, plus, he gets out from a team he's very unhappy with.
If the owner is not going to pony up and ride with the big boys, what the eff is having a 20 million a year Shortstop going to do for you?
We are as sick of the losing as anybody, but we have proven beyond a doubt, and I mean any doubt whatsoever, that you cannot bash your way to a Champeenship.
Take A-Rod, take I-Rod, take Juan Gonzalez, take Rafael Palmeiro and give me some godd*mn PITCHING.
Apparently we can't buy any of that so we will have to homegrow these boys, have mercy on our souls, given our past track record.
The worst thing this franchise has done lately is can Doug Melvin, for this the blame clearly rests with Hicks, everything since that point has just been John Hart window dressing.
The sooner that fraud gets back east where he belongs the faster a solid franchise can be built from the ground up...again.
Wilpon needs to sell the team. He should have signed A-Rod three years ago, when he had the chance. Not to mention Vlad slipping through his fingers this season. And the only reason the Mets signed Piazza was because Doubleday wanted to do it, not Wilpon. What a cheapskate.
True, but on the other hand, A-Rod doesn't have to be The Man here and have all that pressure on his shoulders. He will no longer be singled out as being the big drain on the payroll -- the Yankees have plenty of big drains on their payroll! :)
Good thing you've got a decent football team.
I predict: Schilling on the D.L. by June. He's got a ton of innings on that arm.
You know, some people just shouldn't be pro sports team owners. If I actually (still) liked the Knicks, I'd be praying daily for the Dolans to sell the damn team, but I think I'm now a Rockets fan. ;)
For all of Steinbrenner's faults, at least he spends the money on his team. I don't understand these guys who buy the teams and then go all cheapskate on them.
I had some preconceived notions about that and wanted to see if I was right, but my editor wasn't interested...
No argument there. With Steinbrenner owning the Yankees, the fans know that George will do whatever it takes to improve the team, no matter how much it costs. Not many fans can say that.
That was the one trade that made no sense whatsoever. Bernie Williams' only liability in the field (when he's not injured) is his relatively weak throwing arm, and Lofton - who I imagine will be playing CF - has the same problem ......and he's not even close to the hitter Bernie is. The Brass had their heads up their ass on that deal.
Take, for example, the Dallas Mavs. Sure, Mark Cuban is an ass, but he has *such* a passion and love for the team that he spends what it takes.
The Yankees have made the playoffs nine years in a row, and they've improved the team since last year. I'm not too worried about them faltering this year.
I hear ya. I give the bitter dude credit for placing winning above all else, which as you said is quite rare these days. Most owners just look at the bottom line, and if they can make a profit without fielding a $100+ million team, they'll do it in a heartbeat.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.