Loaiza21

Newsday

It appears that LA is left out, and the Sox are getting Nomar and Williamson for Mags. Steal. Plus it's going to be announced with the A-Rod deal, but this has been agreed upon I guess. The Red Sox moved a gigantic step closer to finishing the long-awaited trade for superstar Alex Rodriguez when they agreed yesterday to send shortstop Nomar Garciaparra to the White Sox for outfielder Magglio Ordoñez, contingent upon completion of the Rodriguez-for-Manny Ramirez megadeal, National League sources told Newsday yesterday. The stunning agreement with Chicago potentially opens the Red Sox's shortstop position for Rodriguez, the 2003 American League MVP, and sets the table for Boston's greatest offseason ever. The Red Sox's probable double blockbuster would be a major coup for the historic and ill-fated franchise as it tries to break its 85-year championship jinx and the Yankees' stranglehold on the intense AL East. The Red Sox, already a big winter winner after the acquisition of Curt Schilling, have had their sights set on Rodriguez for weeks as they aim to remake their lineup and clubhouse. Ordoñez, who hit .317 with 29 homers and 99 RBIs last season, is a surprise bonus for Boston. Garciaparra hit .301 with 28 homers and 105 RBIs. Baseball people believe the Rodriguez-Ramirez swap is inevitable now, and Rodriguez met yesterday in New York with Red Sox GM Theo Epstein and union lawyer Gene Orza, whose presence indicates Rodriguez might consider deferring some monies or reworking a part of his $252-million Rangers contract. Rodriguez's agent, Scott Boras, said he planned to take a late flight to New York last night to join the talks. "They're going to get this deal done," said one person involved in the talks. Speaking of Rodriguez and Garciaparra, that person said, "Neither one can go back to their club. This is too far down the road." Rodriguez is scheduled to appear this week on the Today Show, whose host, Katie Couric, is the girlfriend of Tom Werner, a Red Sox owner. All sides were working feverishly late last night in hopes of wrapping up things soon. There was talk that commissioner Bud Selig, who's granted special permission for Red Sox owner John Henry to meet with Rodriguez, might set a quick deadline to resolve the matter. There was word Rangers owner Tom Hicks still was hoping to get Boston to include cash in the deal. "He's trying to get the Red Sox to pay for his mistake. We all told him the $252-million contract was a mistake three years ago," one baseball executive said. Rodriguez has $179 million and seven years left on his deal. Ramirez has $97.5 million and five years remaining on his. The Garciaparra-Ordoñez deal makes sense for all parties involved but shocked the Dodgers, who were hoping to land either player to fortify their offense. Word of the deal also was said to have stunned Garciaparra, a California resident hoping to go to the Dodgers or Angels. Garciaparra does not have a no-trade clause and can do nothing to prevent the deal. Boston will send reliever Scott Williamson along with Garciaparra to Chicago and the White Sox will send Boston two pitching prospects, provided the Rodriguez-Ramirez deal is completed. Boston probably will send some young pitchers to Texas along with Ramirez to sweeten the deal. The White Sox had been shopping Ordoñez, whom Chicago believed it would have no chance to re-sign when he becomes a free agent after this year. Ordoñez is to make $12 million in 2004, nearly the same salary as Garciaparra. White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf has an excellent relationship with Garciaparra's agent, Arn Tellem, and may have hopes he can lock up Garciaparra on a long-term deal. Boston's Henry is conscious of public relations, and the smooth, smiling A-Rod fits better than Garciaparra, who's had a combative relationship with some of Boston's tough press. Rodriguez hit .298 with 47 home runs and 118 RBIs for Texas in 2003. Boston had been seeking to find a taker for Ramirez, who annoyed them by calling in sick during an important late-season series with the Yankees. Ramirez hit .325 with 37 homers and 104 RBIs in 2003.

This trade is going to go down. It's come so far. But the same deal has been reported on MSNBC and Williams mentioned he had to be "overwhelmed" to trade Magglio. But considering what we get and MAYBE Scott Williamson also! I'd say that's really overwhelming. What a steal.

Oh wow, I'd say go for it KW. That's nice compensation.

Hopefully they go for Valentin!

So Valentin is headed out....where? Oakland?

Maybe Jose can be thrown in and sent to Texas. We could get Williamson and Izturis. It could go 4 way in a perfect world.

Wow, if the Mariners had some basic knowledge they'd know that Jose is way better at this point in time than Vizquel.

So is Jose going anywhere?

I just don't see us getting Williamson that cheap, but hell, go for it Kenny.

Didn't say he'd be the savior! Just a darkhorse for the #5 like Loaiza was. I remember all of the Gil Heredia this and Heredia that last year. He can suprise us.

I'm really confused.

Who knows, I don't get all of this commotion myself.

I remember this guy being touted as a top Marlins SP prospect. They said when he's healthy he's got some great stuff. Maybe he can break spring training as the #5 starter and give us some quality starts, ya never know. I still want a #3 starter to bump Schoeneweis out of the rotation.

They offered it to Colon.

That is a crime.

I guess Baltimore has the money. Why don't we?

Haven't seen anything official. And why would the Orioles want him after trading him. I doubt he'd go back to Baltimore after they dumped him.

Wow, Ponson would be a steal at $6 M. Hope we can get away with it. DON'T TRADE THOMAS KONERKO MAGS OR LEE!

I'm hoping Ozzie makes Willie like Castillo

Dammit Ozzie, you idiot.

Frank should be moved into the #5 slot. I mean Lee would do a way better job cleaning up.

Merry Christmas America!

Loaiza > Colon. Colon was hot and cold. A good guy to have, but certainly not our best.

Stay positive. Williams could suprise you all.