Holy Crap. That quickly, it has happened! A-ROD FOR SORIANO!

[korme]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1735039

NEW YORK -- Alex Rodriguez will be playing third base for the Yankees this season, alongside shortstop Derek Jeter, if Newsday is to be believed.

The 600,000-plus circulation newspaper on suburban Long Island, N.Y., reported on its web site Saturday afternoon that A-Rod is so desperate to get out of Texas that he'd be willing to switch positions. Second baseman Alfonso Soriano would be going the other way, leaving New York.

However, ESPN's Jayson Stark reports that, according to a baseball official with knowledge of the negotiations, it's not a done deal quite yet. The official said "issues remain" that still could stand in the way of the deal being completed.

Terming Newsday's report "inaccurate," the source said, "Is there a deal yet? No. Could it happen? Yes."

So "premature" might be the most accurate way to characterize the Newsday story. Since Friday, the trade has gone from a gigantic long shot to well within the realm of possibility, the official said.

Nevertheless, the two teams, as well as Rodriguez and agent Scott Boras, still face some of the same complications that deep-sixed A-Rod's trade to Boston, even after the Red Sox and Rangers reached an agreement in principle. It appears all sides in this new deal are trying to avoid tripping over the same hurdles that torpedoed that deal, by approaching this one as cautiously and quietly as possible.

Rodriguez would agree to a restructuring of his contract. And that restructuring must be amenable to the Rangers, the Yankees, the commissioner's office and the players' union. So it probably will take at least a couple of days before the trade gets resolved or falls apart.

According to the Newsday web report, those hurdles are in the process of being knocked down. No announcement was to be expected Saturday, according to Newsday, as some minor technical details remain to be worked out, but the story reported that all sides remain confident everything will be wrapped up within a few days.

Newsday had reported Saturday morning that the Yankees were in serious talks with the Rangers about an A-Rod trade.

At the same time, the New York Post, which is usually leading the way when sensational stories pop up, reported only that the Yankees had asked the Rangers about their interest in making such a trade for Soriano.

Early Saturday afternoon, The Associated Press reported that the Yanks and Rangers had started preliminary discussions Wednesday night and that it was still too early to tell whether they would lead to a deal. Rodriguez has a no-trade clause but has said he would be amenable to a deal to the Yankees, the AP's source said.

Soriano, 25, is signed only through 2004, for $5.4 million. He can't be a free agent until after the 2006 season. The 28-year-old Rodriguez is owed $189 million over the next seven years, although he can opt out after 2007. Thus, the Yankees would take on an extra $183.6 million guaranteed if the deal is consummated.

However, according to Newsday's source, the Rangers would be willing to foot some of that bill. The American League source also told Newsday that the two clubs talked late into Friday night about the trade.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman admitted to the Post on Friday that he has approached the Rangers about a deal, but was initially turned down.

"There are many times I float weather balloons to my counterparts," Cashman told the Post. "I won't comment on trade rumors, but it should come as no surprise that I am constantly floating weather balloons to my counterparts. Ninety-nine [percent] of them get popped and fall to the ground."

Texas officials did not immediately return telephone calls, according to the AP, which reached Rodriguez's agent, Scott Boras, only to have him say, "I can't comment on the situation."

The Post reported that the Yankees would likely have to give up Jose Contreras as well as minor-league catcher Dioner Navarro in such a trade.

The Red Sox and Rangers talked extensively this winter about a deal involving A-Rod, but could not get it done, thanks to A-Rod's contract. The two teams did agree to a trade in December, but the union refused to approve it, declaring that A-Rod was setting an unacceptable precedent by diminishing his contract's value.

Rangers owner Tom Hicks then announced that Rodriguez would stay with the Rangers, and last month the team named A-Rod its captain.

The Yankees recently lost third baseman Aaron Boone to what likely is a season-ending knee injury. The trade would create a void at second base for the Yankees. Enrique Wilson and Miguel Cairo would have to share the duties.

Rodriguez, who has 345 career homers, is coming off an MVP season in which he hit .298 with 47 homers and 118 RBI.

The image reads.. Report: A-ROD willing to play 3B!

HAHAH, Jeter at SS! HAHAHAHA!

[k0ruptr]

see if I watch one yankee game next season.

[The_herd]

The Yankees now have the most one dimensional offense in baseball to go along with the worst defense. Should make for an interesting season.

[INDalltheway]

Why deal an up and coming star like Soriano? I know A-rod is an amazing player, but they also would be giving up more than Soriano. Like someone said above, worst defense in MLB.

[primelord]

Why deal an up and coming star like Soriano? I know A-rod is an amazing player, but they also would be giving up more than Soriano. Like someone said above, worst defense in MLB.

Swapping Soriano for Arod doesn't weakent heir defense. Soriano was an awful defensive player. So they just end upgrading their offense and not losing any defense. Arod is in the top 3 baseball players in the game. It was a good deal for the Yankees. It makes me sick, but ti was a good deal for them.

[ScottVib]

If the Yankees move Contreras in this deal their rotation is going to be interesting... especially should Lieber not come all the way back from his injury or Brown get hurt again. The chemistry on that team could be a disaster as if/when Lofton finds out he'll be riding the pine much of the year he will be vocal with his displeasure.


Edit - BTW Shorty, talk about misleading headlines... the article says it's not a done deal yet... could be close. As with the last set of A-Rod deals, I'll believe it when I see it.

[korme]

Booney is versatile, he is very good at 3B or 2B.

[jeff061]

Shouldn't the yankees be concentrating on picthing? They are going to get lit up next year. Kevin Brown is overrated, he's going to fall apart.

[k0ruptr]

Team Defense GM INN TC PO A E FP RF ZR
21 NY Yankees 163 1462 6080 4386 1580 114 .981 36.73 .827
22 Colorado 162 1420 6161 4260 1785 116 .981 38.31 .835
23 Los Angeles 162 1457 6301 4373 1809 119 .981 38.17 .858
24 Atlanta 162 1456 6374 4369 1884 121 .981 38.64 .848
25 Toronto 162 1435 6162 4305 1740 117 .981 37.91 .857
26 Pittsburgh 162 1444 6302 4333 1846 123 .980 38.50 .834
27 NY Mets 161 1413 6012 4240 1654 118 .980 37.53 .833
28 Cleveland 162 1459 6285 4378 1781 126 .980 37.98 .853
29 Detroit 162 1438 6267 4316 1813 138 .978 38.34 .839
30 Cincinnati 162 1446 6181 4339 1701 141 .977 37.58 .854

I'm just wondering if you think they really got worse, or these other teams all improved. or a combination of both, I mean I think the yanks got worse. but not worse then Detroit, cinci and the lot

[korme]

hell yeah reds..

[BishopMVP]

Team Defense GM INN TC PO A E FP RF ZR
21 NY Yankees 163 1462 6080 4386 1580 114 .981 36.73 .827
22 Colorado 162 1420 6161 4260 1785 116 .981 38.31 .835
23 Los Angeles 162 1457 6301 4373 1809 119 .981 38.17 .858
24 Atlanta 162 1456 6374 4369 1884 121 .981 38.64 .848
25 Toronto 162 1435 6162 4305 1740 117 .981 37.91 .857
26 Pittsburgh 162 1444 6302 4333 1846 123 .980 38.50 .834
27 NY Mets 161 1413 6012 4240 1654 118 .980 37.53 .833
28 Cleveland 162 1459 6285 4378 1781 126 .980 37.98 .853
29 Detroit 162 1438 6267 4316 1813 138 .978 38.34 .839
30 Cincinnati 162 1446 6181 4339 1701 141 .977 37.58 .854

I'm just wondering if you think they really got worse, or these other teams all improved. or a combination of both, I mean I think the yanks got worse. but not worse then Detroit, cinci and the lot
Feilding percentage-wise, they lost Boone, who was the only plus-defender on the team. Plus, look at those Range Factor and whatever ZR is, both last by a fair amount.

[The_herd]

Team Defense GM INN TC PO A E FP RF ZR
21 NY Yankees 163 1462 6080 4386 1580 114 .981 36.73 .827
22 Colorado 162 1420 6161 4260 1785 116 .981 38.31 .835
23 Los Angeles 162 1457 6301 4373 1809 119 .981 38.17 .858
24 Atlanta 162 1456 6374 4369 1884 121 .981 38.64 .848
25 Toronto 162 1435 6162 4305 1740 117 .981 37.91 .857
26 Pittsburgh 162 1444 6302 4333 1846 123 .980 38.50 .834
27 NY Mets 161 1413 6012 4240 1654 118 .980 37.53 .833
28 Cleveland 162 1459 6285 4378 1781 126 .980 37.98 .853
29 Detroit 162 1438 6267 4316 1813 138 .978 38.34 .839
30 Cincinnati 162 1446 6181 4339 1701 141 .977 37.58 .854


Interesting that you posted this. You notice that their Range Factor and Zone Ratings are the lowest of all these teams. Feilding % really doesn't tell you how good a team is defensively, these 2 ratings, while not perfect, give you a better gage of how good a team or player is defensively.

[oykib]

Team Defense GM INN TC PO A E FP RF ZR
21 NY Yankees 163 1462 6080 4386 1580 114 .981 36.73 .827
22 Colorado 162 1420 6161 4260 1785 116 .981 38.31 .835
23 Los Angeles 162 1457 6301 4373 1809 119 .981 38.17 .858
24 Atlanta 162 1456 6374 4369 1884 121 .981 38.64 .848
25 Toronto 162 1435 6162 4305 1740 117 .981 37.91 .857
26 Pittsburgh 162 1444 6302 4333 1846 123 .980 38.50 .834
27 NY Mets 161 1413 6012 4240 1654 118 .980 37.53 .833
28 Cleveland 162 1459 6285 4378 1781 126 .980 37.98 .853
29 Detroit 162 1438 6267 4316 1813 138 .978 38.34 .839
30 Cincinnati 162 1446 6181 4339 1701 141 .977 37.58 .854

I'm just wondering if you think they really got worse, or these other teams all improved. or a combination of both, I mean I think the yanks got worse. but not worse then Detroit, cinci and the lot

You're making a mistake by thinking that this list accurately represents team defensive rankings. This is a list sorted by Fielding Percentage. That is one of the poorest indicators of team defense. If you sort by Zone Rating or, better yet, Deffensive efficiency-- the amount of balls in play converted to outs-- the Yankees are around 28 not 21.

[k0ruptr]

good points

BUT i still don't think that the yanks are the worst defense in the league.

[BishopMVP]

I still don't think we landed on the moon.

[k0ruptr]

range factor doesnt have as much to do with it as people think either.

Seattle had the worst range factor in the league, and the least errors and best fielding percentage
seattle also had the highest ZR

[sterlingice]

I still don't think we landed on the moon.
Who said anything about Carl Everett?

If the Yankees move Contreras in this deal their rotation is going to be interesting... especially should Lieber not come all the way back from his injury or Brown get hurt again. The chemistry on that team could be a disaster as if/when Lofton finds out he'll be riding the pine much of the year he will be vocal with his displeasure.
Who are the Yanks running out for starters this year. Like ACL/MCL injuries in football, Tommy John surgery guys aren't right for 18 months and that includes a couple of months of actually big league pitching.

SI

[oykib]

range factor doesnt have as much to do with it as people think either.

Seattle had the worst range factor in the league, and the least errors and best fielding percentage
seattle also had the highest ZR

I agree about RF. That's why I said ZR was a better indicator, and DER is much better than both of them.

I really hope that Contreras isn't part of the final deal. I would hope that's the sticking point. I'm guessing that the Rangers would like to do anything to get rid of A-rod's contract at this point. Look at how they caved during the Red Sox deal.

Considering that they are not trying to foist off a Manny-level salary, I would think they could get this done without giving up Contreras.

[RPI-Fan]

What is ZR?

[GrantDawg]

That's the begining of Junior's phone number. ZR549.

Oh, wait, that was BR549. :)

[The_herd]

What is ZR?

From ESPN.com

ZR: Zone rating. The percentage of balls fielded by a player in his typical defensive "zone," as measured by STATS, Inc.

[mauchow]

Can you honestly see Bud Selig approving this?

Wow.. This will officially make the AL East the first division to have a SUB .500 team make the playoffs(as probably the best team).

Imagine that. Toronto, already a very good team will get wins against them, Boston and Yankees, even Baltimore is improved. I was just joking that the division winner will be sub .500 but, that's going to be some good battling between those teams. I just hope the Yankees don't make the playoffs if the trade goes through.

[Cringer]

George is putting more of his hand into this team........remember how good the Yankees were before he was suspended from the game? I think they will be headed that way soon......buying hitters, with little pitching and no cares about what type of players you are bringing and how it will effect chemistry can not be that succesfull for that long......

[ScottVib]

I believe the rotation is supposed to be: Mussina, Vazquez, Contreras, Brown, and Lieber.

[ScottVib]

I believe the rotation is supposed to be: Mussina, Vazquez, Contreras, Brown, and Lieber.

dola,

CNNSI just said it' sall but official.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/baseball/mlb/02/14/arod.yankees/?cnn=yes

The Texas Rangers have agreed to send Rodriguez to the Yankees for second baseman Alfonso Soriano and a player to be named later, Sports Illustrated's Tom Verducci confirmed Saturday. Some contract details remain to be worked out, but a baseball source told Verducci no problems are expected.

I'm assuming the player to be named is the catcher talked about earlier.

[korme]

REDS IN '07!

*quietly, slowly, backs out of thread.*

[Flame Eater]

1. I don't know if the stats support me, but I think Boone was horrid his whole time with the Yankees. Every game I watched he screwed up at least one routine ground ball (I get Yes Network...I watched a lot of games). The only reason he was resigned was the home run against Boston.

2. Soriano swings a great bat, but that's it (my pet goat has better hands than him). I was hoping they'd try him in Center and DH Bernie Williams.

3. A baseball question: Wouldn't it make more sense to split Jeter and A-Rod between SS and 2nd instead of SS and 3rd? It seems it'd be better to have the two stars in the middle. Almonte played "okay" last year when Jeter was out, and I like Enrique Wilson at third. I think these two could fill 3rd with the big guns in the middle. Make any sense at all?

[ISiddiqui]

CRAP! Fucking Yankees... grrrr.

[Sun Tzu]

So does this put the Yankees payroll at one billion yet?

[Leonidas]

So the Rangers are getting Soriano. It's a great deal for the Yanks, but Soriano is a far cry for being in A-Rod's league. Kills me how Jeter (an everage at best SS) stays at Short, while A-Rod (quite possibly the best SS in the game) has to change positions. The Boss will stoop to no bounds to satisfy Jeter's ego. Assuming Jeter stays at Short, it kills that myth of what a great contributor to the team and doing anything to win he has.

[clintl]

No kidding. Not playing A-Rod at SS so you can keep Jeter there has to be one of the most boneheaded ideas I can remember. Thank God Steinbrenner is taking back control of the team. Hopefully, he will completely wreck them again.

[ISiddiqui]

Not playing A-Rod at SS so you can keep Jeter there has to be one of the most boneheaded ideas I can remember.

Indeed. It is utterly moronic. Wouldn't it be ironic if the Yanks lose in the playoffs because of an error by Jeter or A-Rod ;).

[Primal]

Whats the Yankee's Profit/Lose from last year?

[Toddzilla]

um, it has NOT happened, and according to Jayson Stark, it may not even be close to happening. Take that Evil Empire!

/go cubs

[BishopMVP]

Reports were that it was even further along when the Red Sox were in it, so by no means is this consummated yet.

[Ksyrup]

I still contend Soriano is overrated. Offensively, he's above average for a second baseman, but we all know he really can't play 2B. As an OF, he's less of a standout offensively, and I still believe that with his current BB/K ratio, he'll never improve, and will probably regress. He might pull a Sosa at some point, but right now, I think NY sees him as the Red Sox saw Shea Hillenbrand - someone whose production is questionable in the long-term, given the BB/K issues.

[ISiddiqui]

Offensively, he's above average for a second baseman, but we all know he really can't play 2B.

He was 4th in AL 2B Fielding Win Shares, so that isn't really true.

[The_herd]

I now pray that Alfonso Soriano learns some patience at the plate and becomes the best player in baseball.

[John Galt]

I haven't heard anything official that A-Rod will be 3B and that Jeter will stay at SS. Criticizing Jeter for refusing to move is a little premature. I will be disappointed if Jeter stays at SS, but at least give this a chance to work out.

[John Galt]

Wow. I just saw this:

"The Associated Press is reporting that the Rangers could assume as much as $67 million of the $179 million remaining on Alex Rodriguez's contract in a deal with the Yankees."

That is unbelievable.

[SirFozzie]

UnFucking Real.

[oykib]

Wow. I just saw this:

"The Associated Press is reporting that the Rangers could assume as much as $67 million of the $179 million remaining on Alex Rodriguez's contract in a deal with the Yankees."

That is unbelievable.

As I posted earlier in regards to Contreras, it's quite clear that there is a buyers market for A-Rod. As long as you can give them a player to placate the fans, you should pretty much be able to write your own deal with them.

They showed their hand in the Red Sox negotiation.

[The_herd]

"The Associated Press is reporting that the Rangers could assume as much as $67 million of the $179 million remaining on Alex Rodriguez's contract in a deal with the Yankees."



This doesn't make much sense to me. Soriano's contract is coming up 2005, so they will have to resign him then and he's going to get at least $10 million a year. So they are essentially paying a boatload of cash to get Soriano.

Soriano is making $5.4 million this season, and if he gets the same next (he's likely to get a decent raise from that) that's a total of $10.8 million. If they then sign him (and they pretty much have to if they pony up that much cash to complete the trade) to, lets say, a 6 year $72 million contract. Then that puts the total for aquiring Soriano at $149.8 million for 8 years. They may have been overpaying A-Rod, buts that just ridiculous money for Soriano.

[The_herd]

Dola

Another interesting fact, or disgusting depending on how you look at it, is that the Yankee's will own 6 of the 12 largest contracts in baseball.

[stevew]

I figured the Yankees would at least be sending them Bernie(to lessen the payroll a bit) in this deal. Really, when you think about it tho, assuming they Cut Boone, miss out on paying Henson, and the rangers pay 67 mil, the yankees are getting arod for pretty much what they would have Paid Soriano this year. Now the future is pretty rough, but AROD for about 15 mil per is awesome.

[Ksyrup]

He was 4th in AL 2B Fielding Win Shares, so that isn't really true.
First, I question the win shares method for defensive stats. I think even James acknowledges some issues with it. It works much better with offensive stats.

Second - if you've ever watched him play, you know he's below average.

[Ksyrup]

Dola.

Just to underscore the point, the Rangers are considering putting him in CF.

[AgPete]

Wow. The Rangers have another infielder who is about to demand a huge payday and they still have no pitching. They really fixed their problems. :confused:

[Galaril]

Booney is versatile, he is very good at 3B or 2B.


Boone is out for the season I believe.

[tucker342]

I HATE THE YANKEES!!! If Jeter ends up staying at second base, that would be hilarious! What a bitch:D

[BishopMVP]

I HATE THE YANKEES!!! If Jeter ends up staying at second base, that would be hilarious! What a bitch:DI didn't know Tha Chronic had made it's way to the Midwest already.

[DeToxRox]

Now the Yankees can go find a second basemen with a glove and let him bunt all day.

Soriano was a garbage fielder and he was too unpredictable at the plate. He strikes out way too much, and doesn't take many walks. He played over his head in New York, and now with only Texieria and Blaylock backing him in the order, I question his success.

The Yankees lineup has 7 guys who will all put up roughly 80 + RBI's. The only exceptions being Lofton and whoever they get to play second base. They have a solid staff if Brown comes back healthy, and with the offense their gunna' get, I don't think they need to worry.

Now as the deadline approaches, another pitcher is needed for the playoffs, because pitching shows it's importance there, but until then, this makes them the best team in the leauge.

I still don't think Schilling will make a bigger impact then A-Rod. He was banged up a lot last year, and is what now? 37? 38? I just think that the BoSox are in for a rude awakening this year, and that pleases me so.

[Buccaneer]

I continue to weep for baseball. :(

[jeff061]

I'll take all the problems in baseball over parity in football, no question.

[Flame Eater]

Everyone agrees that A-Rod should play SS. Where should Jeter play? 2nd or 3rd.

AND...

Could some one please explain to me why I hear things like, "He hits well for a 2nd baseman, but not good enough for CF." What the hell difference does it make where a guy plays with respect to his bat? Thanks.

[Desnudo]

WTF is this?!? Tom Hicks, get some advisors and some stability.

"As part of the trade, Texas would pay about $67 million of the $179 million in salary that Rodriguez is owed over the final seven years of his contract. That leaves the Yankees to pay an average of approximately $16 million per season. "

[CraigSca]

Everyone agrees that A-Rod should play SS. Where should Jeter play? 2nd or 3rd.

AND...

Could some one please explain to me why I hear things like, "He hits well for a 2nd baseman, but not good enough for CF." What the hell difference does it make where a guy plays with respect to his bat? Thanks.

Because some positions are much easier to play in baseball than others. Therefore, some positions have a greater number of players that can play them adequately. Thus - a guy batting .300 with 15 homers as a shortstop is good thing to have, but not necessarily good when your first baseman is putting up those numbers.

[kingfc22]

Damn Yankees.