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Memo to All Red Sox Staff
From: Theo Epstein, general manager
Re: The A-Rod Rumors
February 15, 2004 * 8 a.m.
Dear staff, I just want to confirm to all of you that the rumors you are hearing are true. It looks as though the deal to bring Alex Rodriquez from Texas to the New York Yankees is going to happen. Here is a clip I downloaded off the Web last night around midnight from MLB.com:
NEW YORK (MLB.com) – After a winter of heavy speculation that Alex Rodriguez would wind up playing for the Boston Red Sox, the reigning American League MVP may finally be traded after all -- to the New York Yankees.
According to highly placed sources and published reports, the Yankees and Texas Rangers have "an agreement in principle" that will bring Rodriguez, 28, to the Bronx in exchange for second baseman Alfonso Soriano and a minor-league pitcher.
"It's about flexibility," Texas general manager John Hart told the Associated Press on Saturday night, addressing why the Rangers would make the deal. "We're trading the best player in the game and we're getting tremendous financial flexibility."
The Yankees have not verified the report. But the general managers for both teams released statements earlier Saturday confirming trade talks were ongoing.
"Without going into specifics, I can acknowledge that trade discussions are taking place with the Texas Rangers," Yankees GM Brian Cashman said in a statement. "In fairness to all parties involved, I can't comment further at this time."
Pretty disgusting, eh? But it’s no time for a pity party. Let them have A-Rod. I still believe we made some vital moves in the off-season to bring an AL pennant and a World Championship to Bean Town, plus we’ve got a great base already here.
Let it be known that ownership has a commitment to WIN AT ALMOST ANY COST this season. In other words, Mr. Henry, Mr.Werner and Mr. Lucchino have noted to me that a championship is their ultimate goal for our club RIGHT NOW and that they will do everything within their powers to reach that goal.
So remember – steady as she goes here the next few days. This will be tough in the public relations department for awhile – let me handle that part – but we’ve still got a better pitching staff and I think a better overall team than the boys from the Bronx. And I don’t think we will want in the hunger department when we open Spring Training in a few weeks in Fort Myers. I look forward to working with each of you in the season ahead.
Theo
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