Red Sox agree to trade for A-rod Dec. 2003, Lucchino appreciates 'Alex & Cynthia's determination to move to Boston'

Words of Larry Lucchino, December 2003 on Alex Rodriguez' potential move to the Red Sox:

• (AP/ESPN, 12/18/03): ""We appreciate the flexibility and determination Alex and Cynthia Rodriguez have shown in their effort to move to Boston and the Red Sox."...

Boston and Texas said they settled on all the players involved in the trade. The Red Sox and Rodriguez agreed to restructure the shortstop's $252 million contract, Rangers owner Tom Hicks said.

• But in a rare move, the union intervened and rejected the agreement, changes that were needed before Texas could send the AL MVP to the Red Sox
• for Manny Ramirez."...

(Bud Selig wanted the new Red Sox owners to get Arod, so he threatened to overrule the players' union):*

• (AP/ESPN): "Commissioner Bud Selig set a 5 p.m. ET Thursday deadline for the trade to be completed. He might also go against the union and approve the restructuring, likely forcing the matter to arbitration....

• Rob Manfred, baseball's top labor lawyer, challenged the union's interpretation:

(ESPN): "The basic agreement contains a rule that requires any special covenant to be an actual or potential benefit to the player," Manfred said. "In a situation like the current situation, where there was a restructuring, where the player was getting something and the club was getting something, Gene Orza is not the final arbitrator on whether the restructuring provides an actual or potential benefit to the player. The commissioner currently is considering his legal options in consultation with the two teams."

• While no one detailed the agreement between Rodriguez and the Red Sox, Boston president Larry Lucchino said the union proposed "radical changes."

The agreement called for some salary to be reduced and some to be deferred in exchange for giving Rodriguez the right to become a free agent earlier in the deal, a high-ranking baseball official said on the condition of anonymity.

• Currently, Rodriguez can end the contract after the 2007 season. He also can end it after 2008 or 2009 unless he gets an annual increase from $27 million to either $32 million or $1 million above the largest salary of any position player.

"It is a sad day when the players' association thwarts the will of its members," Lucchino said.

• "The players' association asserts that it supports individual negotiations, freedom of choice and player mobility.

However, in this

• high-profile instance, their action contradicts this and is contrary to the desires of the player.

• We appreciate the flexibility and determination Alex and Cynthia Rodriguez have shown in their effort to move to Boston and the Red Sox."...

If Selig approves the restructuring and the union files a grievance to block it, the case would go to Shyam Das, baseball's arbitrator.

• There was a posting on a Red Sox fan Web site saying, "It's an astonishing ending, isn't it? Astonishing. In fact, it transcends baseball."

The posting on the "Sons of Sam Horn" site was by

• "JohnWHenry," which club owner John Henry has previously acknowledged

• is his screen name.

• Henry did not immediately return an e-mail seeking elaboration."...

*Buster Olney...recalled the Red Sox in 2003 when they tried to sign Alex Rodriguez.

• The window at the time was 72 hours but
• the Red Sox were given 144 hours.

(Olney made this statement on ESPN radio August 31, 2008, comparing the Pittsburgh Pirates Pedro Alvarez signing dispute with the Red Sox pursuit of Arod, posted on this blog on that date. The discussion was Selig appeared to be stretching the rules to help a club get a particular player).

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