TAMPA – Thanks to George Steinbrenner’s willingness to spend large, Brian Cashman’s incredible work ethic, Tom Hicks’ desire to save dollars and Bud Selig lending his stamp of approval, Alex Rodriguez officially became a Yankee yesterday.
“This is very big, it reminds me of the time we signed Reggie [Jackson],” Steinbrenner said in the parking lot of the Yanks’ minor-league complex. “But it’s an organizational deal, not a Steinbrenner deal.”
The Yankees will introduce Rodriguez today at a Yankee Stadium press conference that will be attended by Derek Jeter, Joe Torre, Hal Steinbrenner, Steve Swindel and Mark Newman.
Steinbrenner orchestrated many of the moves made by the Yankees since they lost the World Series in six games to the Marlins. Gary Sheffield, Kevin Brown and Javier Vazquez were added and Roger Clemens, Andy Pettitte and David Wells let go. However, the impact of those moves is dwarfed by the addition of the 28-year-old reigning AL MVP – considered by many the top player in baseball – in exchange for All-Star second baseman Alfonso Soriano and a minor-league player to be named.
While the Rangers and Yankees agreed to the deal Saturday, it didn’t become official until Selig approved it yesterday after going over the details of the money. Since the Rangers are paying $67 million ($24 million deferred) and the Yankees are on the hook for $112 million of the $179 million (seven years) left on a 10-year, $252 million contract Selig took two days to review the deal.
While Selig had reservations and received serious objections from other clubs that suggested he veto the blockbuster trade for the good of the game, the commissioner gave his blessing.
“I am very concerned about the large amount of cash consideration involved in the transaction, and the length of time over which the cash is being paid,” Selig said. “I want to make it abundantly clear to all clubs that I will not allow cash transfers of this magnitude to become the norm. However, given the unique circumstances, including the size, length and complexity of Mr. Rodriguez’s contract and the quality of the talent moving in both directions, I have decided to approve the transaction.”
After approving the failed Boston-Rangers deal that had Manny Ramirez going to Texas but fell apart over the Red Sox’ refusal to spend an additional $12 million for A-Rod, Selig really couldn’t have nixed the Yankees-Rangers trade. Even if several clubs protested.
“There were 30 teams who had the opportunity to acquire Alex Rodriguez and the majority chose not to,” Yankee president Randy Levine said. “There are never any complaints when we write the $60 million [revenue sharing] check that gets distributed.”
Steinbrenner defended his spending habits by saying that’s the price of doing business in New York.
“They aren’t in New York, I am,” The Boss said of critical owners.
The Yankees will pay Rodriguez $15 million in each of the next three seasons, $16 million each in 2007 and 2008, $17 million in 2009 and $18 million in 2010. In each of the first four years, $1 million will be deferred without interest and paid in 2011.
From all corners of the Yankees’ universe, there was a positive buzz.
“I really can not describe how happy I am to have been able to acquire a player of the caliber of Alex Rodriguez,” Cashman said.
“It’s tough to come up with the words to describe how you feel when a player of Alex’ ability and class is so suddenly in your lineup,” Torre said. “I know that the fans of New York are going to love having him here on an everyday basis. I couldn’t be happier.”
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ALEX BY THE NUMBERS
500 club: HRs by age 30
Jimmie Foxx 429
Mickey Mantle 404
Eddie Mathews 399
Frank Robinson 373
Mel Ott 369
Hank Aaron 366
Alex Rodriguez (turns 29 on July 27) 345
Sammy Sosa 336
Harmon Killebrew 336
Willie Mays 319
Babe Ruth 309
Ernie Banks 298
Mike Schmidt 283
Reggie Jackson 281
Eddie Murray 275
Willie McCovey 268
Ted Williams 265
Barry Bonds 259
Mark McGwire 229
Rafael Palmeiro 194
Most RBIs since 1996
Sammy Sosa 1,027
Rafael Palmerio 981
Alex Rodriguez 969
Manny Ramirez 968
Carlos Delgado 924
Jim Thome 890
Jason Giambi 879
Barry Bonds 878
Juan Gonzalez 872
Did you know?
The last Yankee right-handed hitter to have 40+ home runs in a season was Joe DiMaggio (46, 1937)
A-Rod’s career totals
G/H/R/HR /RBI/SB/SLG./AVG.
1,275/1,535/1,009/345/990/177/.581/.308
Career highs
G/H/R/HR /RBI/SB/SLG./AVG.
162/215/141/57/142/46/.631/.358
