A quick true-and-false test on the apparent collapse of the Alex Rodriguez-to-Boston trade late yesterday afternoon:
TRUE OR FALSE: The Rangers, who had been insistent on getting money back from the Red Sox throughout the negotiations, dropped all monetary demands yesterday and were willing to make a strict talent-for-talent swap.
Answer: False. A source close to the negotiations called those reports "inaccurate." Texas, according to this source, had scaled back its request for some financial relief from Boston, but had not dropped it entirely.
TRUE OR FALSE: The teams had basically reached agreement on the deal, and the Red Sox -- getting what one national reporter called "cold feet" -- backed out of the trade.
Answer: False. According to the source, the sides were "still several million dollars apart" when they reached Texas owner Tom Hicks's 5 p.m. EST deadline to complete the trade.
TRUE OR FALSE: Alex Rodriguez isn't coming to Boston.
Answer: True. For now.
TRUE OR FALSE: Alex Rodriguez is never coming to Boston.
Answer: . . .
That one will be have to be left blank.
The Rangers announced almost immediately after 5 p.m. yesterday that Rodriguez would remain in Texas, seemingly killing the blockbuster trade that would have sent the 2003 American League MVP to the Red Sox for slugger Manny Ramirez and minor-league pitching prospect Jon Lester.
But nowhere in the flurry of statements issued in the wake of that announcement did either side say, unequivocally, that the deal wouldn't eventually be made.
"There is nothing further to report relating to the consummation of a transaction between the Boston Red Sox and the Texas Rangers involving Alex Rodriguez," the Sox said in a statement issued at approximately 5:20 p.m. "No further discussions regarding this transaction are planned."
Texas owner Tom Hicks's statement, delivered at 5:05 p.m., was longer and fuller, but no more definitive as to whether or not talks would be reopened.
"It is time for the Texas Rangers to look forward to the 2004 season with Alex Rodriguez as our shortstop and team leader," Hicks said. "As we explored recent opportunities, we always said he would not be traded unless it made our team better, faster. Alex is the best player in baseball and we are excited to have him as a leader in the clubhouse and on the field. . . . Alex wants to compete in the postseason, but he also wants to help Texas be a champion and be a part of what we are doing here. From our conversations, I know he loves Texas and he's happy being here."
The lack of a firm "this is over" declaration from either side -- along with indications from people with knowledge of the talks that the door is still ajar -- could mean this "final" deadline is no more final than Hicks's earlier assertion that the trade wouldn't be made if wasn't completed by the end of the winter meetings, or commissioner Bud Selig's deadline of last Thursday.
In fact, there's a strain of thought that yesterday's developments were a continuation of the negotiation dance that's been going on since talks began, with both sides determined to do the deal on their terms.
Boston's apparent willingness to walk away -- as evidenced by CEO Larry Lucchino's declaration last week that the deal was "dead," a declaration undercut by the continuation of negotiations until yesterday -- indicates they feel there's more pressure on the financially strapped Rangers, who need to rid themselves of Rodriguez's contract. They are determined not to send any money to Texas in the exchange.
And the Rangers' "deadlines" seemed designed to turn up the heat on the Sox, whom they feel have gone too far down the road -- with their fans, and even with their players -- to not make the trade. They are just as determined to have Boston pay part of Ramirez's contract.
Still, the talk yesterday was gloomier than at any point since rumors of Rodriguez's potential move to Boston began to surface two months ago.
"Believe me, when Tom Hicks says he's no longer trading Alex Rodriguez, I'd believe him, because his marketing and his credibility with his fans is at hand," said Rodriguez's agent, Scott Boras. "I don't think he's any way going to be retracting from his position.
"I think his intention of [trading] Alex has ended. I really think this is a dead issue."
The Rangers and Red Sox "both recognized there was too big a [financial] gulf to bridge," Hicks said. "Neither one of us thought it would take the public profile it did, or get as complex as it did."
Rodriguez has seven years and $179 million remaining on his 10-year, $252-million contract. Ramirez has five years and $97.5 million left on his eight-year, $160-million deal. Tne Rangers were seeking about $27 million to help ease the burden of Ramirez's contract.
Last week, the Sox and Rodriguez -- granted a window by Selig to renegotiate his contract -- agreed on a $27-million reduction that would be transferred to the Rangers. But the Major League Baseball Players Association refused to give its approval, saying Rodriguez's agreement could be restructured but not reduced. The union said it would approve a change that would lower the contract by $12 million to $13 million in exchange for Rodriguez getting the right to use Boston's logo and trademarks in marketing deals. In addition, he'd be able to become a free agent after the 2005 season.
The Red Sox, in turn, turned down the offer and Lucchino issued a statement that was critical of the union and one of its top executives, Gene Orza. According to ESPN's Peter Gammons, Lucchino's statement angered Orza and the union -- who, said Gammons, would have been willing to negotiate further -- and apparently offended Rodriguez, since it publicly mentioned him and his wife. Rodriguez then made a public declaration of solidarity with the MLBPA.
At this point, Lucchino declared the deal "dead." However, talks continued until yesterday afternoon.
If the deal truly is dead, the Sox have bridges to mend -- with Ramirez, whom they were attempting to trade, and with shortstop Nomar Garciaparra, who was rumored to be heading to the Chicago White Sox for outfielder Magglio Ordonez in a subsequent deal once Boston had acquired Rodriguez.
The Rangers, too, will have to deal with the prospect of an unhappy Rodriguez -- who wanted to come to Boston, and who has issues with manager Buck Showalter that Boras acknowledged last night.
If it's truly dead, that is.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
