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Ordonez part of A-Rod mix
White Sox star would join Boston in 4-team deal
By Teddy Greenstein
Chicago Tribune staff reporter

December 17, 2003

The historic deal that would send reigning MVP Alex Rodriguez to Boston for Manny Ramirez picked up an intriguing local angle Tuesday night.

Sources said the White Sox have entered the discussions and are mulling offers for Magglio Ordonez in what would become a three- or four-team deal.

The proposed deal would send Ramirez to Texas, Rodriguez to Boston and shortstop Nomar Garciaparra to Los Angeles. The Dodgers then would ship a package of pitchers to Chicago and the White Sox would send Ordonez to Boston.

A source said the Sox were asking for three pitchers from the Dodgers—lefty Odalis Perez, ace reliever Guillermo Mota and top-notch prospect Greg Miller. It's also possible Boston would send reliever Scott Williamson to Chicago in the deal.

Sox general manager Ken Williams, while declining to directly address the proposed trade, said: "Throughout the winter meetings, a lot of ideas are exchanged. Some take on more of a life than they deserve and some of them are deserved."

Williams has maintained all along that he would need to be overwhelmed to trade Ordonez, a four-time All-Star.

"I think there's a perception that we are shopping our players," Williams said Sunday. "I'm not shopping any of these guys. I'm listening to overtures. And there is a distinct difference.

"When you're shopping a player, then maybe you are inclined to take what is less than that player's worth for a particular reason. … I'm perfectly content to go into next season with the comfort of having Ordonez hit third or fourth."

But with Ordonez due to make $14 million in his final season before free agency and with the Sox having lost three pitchers (Bartolo Colon, Tom Gordon and Scott Sullivan) to free agency, the White Sox were prepared to pull the trigger for the right price.

Sources say Williams has insisted Mota, who went 6-3 with a 1.97 ERA last year, must be included in any deal for Ordonez. Dodgers general manager Dan Evans has been reluctant to trade Mota or the 19-year-old Miller, the organization's No. 2-rated prospect.

But with Boston apparently telling the Dodgers they need a slugging outfielder to make up for the loss of Ramirez, Los Angeles appears more open to moving at least one of its top arms.

In a sign that the key component of the deal is close to fruition, Rodriguez, agent Scott Boras and Boston general manager Theo Epstein met with union official Gene Orza on Tuesday in New York to discuss the possible restructuring of the remainder of Rodriguez's 10-year, $252 million contract.

"For there to be a restructuring," Orza told the Boston Globe, "there has to be some added [monetary] value to the player."

Although Texas would save about $81.5 million by swapping the Rodriguez and Ramirez contracts, Rangers owner Tom Hicks also was said to be seeking at least $3 million per season during the remainder of Ramirez's deal.

Rodriguez is still due $179 million over seven seasons and Ramirez is owed $97.5 million over five. Both players are six-time All-Stars.

There's another way the Sox could become involved on a smaller scale. Texas is looking for young pitching and the Sox have it in right-handers Dan Wright and Jon Rauch and lefties Neal Cotts, David Sanders and Arnie Munoz.

The Sox could send one of those pitchers to Boston to acquire the hard-throwing Williamson, who either would compete for the closer's job with Billy Koch or increase the likelihood that Koch will be dealt.

Although WMVP-AM 1000 reported Tuesday that a deal was nearly complete, a White Sox official downplayed that. According to the report, the White Sox would send Munoz and perhaps another player to Boston.

The Red Sox are willing to part with Williamson after signing closer Keith Foulke. Williamson is slated to earn about $3 million through arbitration and that would hasten Chicago's attempts to move Koch, who is due $6.375 million. The Mets are the only team known to be interested.

Williamson, 27, was the National League's Rookie of the Year in 1999 after going 12-7 with a 2.41 ERA for Cincinnati. He underwent reconstructive surgery on his right elbow in 2001 but rebounded and emerged as the Reds' closer last season before being dealt to Boston.

Although Williamson posted a 6.20 ERA during 20 games with the Red Sox, he excelled in the postseason, giving up only one run on three hits in eight appearances. He struck out 14 batters in eight innings.

Florida and St. Louis also are said to be vying for Williamson.

Copyright © 2003, The Chicago Tribune

The Red Sox have just announced moments ago that they have traded Kevin Millar's mouth to the Chunichi Dragons for future considerations.

Excellent news! Replacing Manny and Nomar with Magglio(don't ever call me Rey)Ordonez, and ARod will really help the Sox.

combined career ops for Manny and Nomar
1.935

combined career ops for Ordonez and ARod
1.855

Offensively- A slight dropoff in Ordonez and ARod, but playing half of their games each year in Fenway should increase those numbers.

Defensively- ARod is an upgrade defensively over Nomar, and Ordonez is definitely an upgrade in Manny.

Overall it appears that these moves will hopefully make the Sox better in the field and at the plate.

I don't have the salary numbers. Would adding Ordonez at 14M require us to get rid of BK and Williamson?

http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/ny-...-span-headlines

Changing Sox

Nomar is headed to Chicago for Ordoñez

By Jon Heyman and Ken Davidoff
Newsday Staff Writers

December 17, 2003, 9:33 AM EST

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 acquisitions of Curt Schilling and Keith Foulke, 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 $14 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.

Copyright © 2003, Newsday, Inc.

If the sox can do that then this is a great deal; but if they can't then I'm not too sure it's a good deal.

Why do we have to give williamson & nomar? Shouldn't nomar be enough?

Gammo is in Switzerland having the Keith Richards blood-change; apparently he overdosed on his own ego and developed circulatory toxicity.

I agree with Nufced, giving up Nomar and Williamson for Mags is too much. I'd be willing to send BK along with Nomar though. The idea of sending prospects or anytone else to Texas stinks. $80 mill savings is enough for them to go get some pitching.

Do you think once the player's union agrees to the restructuring of the contract the official word will come out or will they wait for a press conferance in Boston?

I agree again. why include Williamson in the deal. I think Nomar straight up should be enough. If they are not interested I am sure the Dodgers would be

Hmm . . . Magglio, huh? Dunno 'bout this. Didn't come through for my fantasy team last season . . .

Here's this morning's AP article:

Red Sox, A-Rod meet with union
Dec. 17, 2003
AP

BOSTON (AP) The much-discussed, long-awaited trade that would send AL MVP Alex Rodriguez to Boston is moving closer to fruition.

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Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein and the Texas Rangers shortstop met with an official from the baseball player's union Tuesday to discuss the blockbuster deal, and Rodriguez's agent, Scott Boras, was planning to join them Wednesday for more talks.

"They're moving and plodding along," Boras said before heading to New York.

Gene Orza, the union's No. 2 official, confirmed that a meeting took place but wouldn't comment on its substance. The union would get involved if there was a renegotiation of the record $252 million, 10-year contract Rodriguez signed three years ago; any change would have to add some benefit for the player, according to baseball's labor contract.

The Rangers and Red Sox owners have been discussing a swap of Rodriguez for Red Sox outfielder Manny Ramirez, the sport's only $20 million men. Talks have bogged down over the sheer magnitude of the money involved - more than $300 million remaining on the two contracts, including deferred money - and the Rangers' demand that Boston pay a big chunk of Ramirez's salary in addition to more than $179 million due Rodriguez.

"At this time, negotiations are at a sensitive point," Texas owner Tom Hicks said in a statement. "Due to this fact, we will have no further comment on this situation today."

Boston has balked at paying part of Ramirez's salary. Even without it, the Rangers would already save about $81 million in the deal. Talk has recently focused on whether the Red Sox would include another player in lieu of cash.

Epstein declined to comment on the negotiations, and Boston president Larry Lucchino has said the team was going into "radio silence" on the talks until they conclude, one way or the other.

Red Sox owner John Henry hasn't responded to e-mails or calls from The Associated Press. But following a series of skeptical postings about the trade on a Red Sox fan Web site, a participant identified as "JohnWHenry" said, "Come on now. Don't start to waver on us. It's the holidays. Be of good cheer! It's going to be just a great, exciting season. Hang in there."

The postings came at 4:26 a.m. Henry has confirmed that he uses that screen name for the "Sons of Sam Horn" bulletin board.

Epstein did say before returning to Boston on Monday that he didn't expect any announcements.

"If I were a betting man, I'd say there's nothing major in our future," he said. "We have a real strong club right now if we just fill in to complement what we have."

If the owners are able to work something out, the Red Sox would then need to trade shortstop Nomar Garciaparra. Epstein has said the team's first choice was to sign Garciaparra to a long-term deal "that makes sense for both sides," but Garciaparra turned down a $60 million, four-year offer last spring, looking for a longer and richer deal.

That appeared to be a mistake in a declining market, but on Sunday former AL MVP Miguel Tejada agreed to a $72 million, six-year deal with Baltimore that raised doubts about whether the market was declining after all. Garciaparra's agent, Arn Tellem, made a brief visit to New Orleans and had cursory discussions with Epstein.

One destination for Garciaparra, if he's traded, would be Los Angeles. Dodgers manager Jim Tracy wouldn't confirm his team was interested except to say, "We're looking for somebody to fit in the middle of our order.

"Nomar Garciaparra ... is a name that would fit in the middle of somebody's order," he said at the winter meetings on Sunday. "That's what we're looking for."

However, there were reports Wednesday that the Dodgers' interest had faded. Other reports had Gacricaparra going to the Chicago White Sox with pitchers Scott Williamson and Byung-Hyun Kim for star outfielder Magglio Ordonez; some reports said Chicago would then deal Garciaparra to Los Angeles.

It all depends on whether Hicks and Henry can work out the money. Then, Rodriguez has to waive the no-trade clause in his contract.

The Red Sox did make one deal involving an infielder Tuesday, acquiring Mark Bellhorn to replace free agent Todd Walker at second base.

Walker could be part of Texas' contingency plans for replacing Rodriguez. They've talked to Walker's agent about signing him to play second, which would mean moving second baseman Michael Young to shortstop.

Link:
12/17 AP 'A-Rod/M-Ram' article

thats reason enough for me

There are more turns regarding this deal then a rollcoster at Six Flags. What the heck is going on?

Williamson and Kim is about 5 million bucks off the books. Ordonez is going to make 14 in '04. Take away the 5 million for K/W and Ordonez is really costing us 9 million. A-Rod and Ordonez would cost 29 million for 2004 where as Manny/Nomar would cost 32 million next year. So that gives you the 3 million to mess around for fine tuning and so on.

We got some rule 5 guys that might turn out to be productive in the pen too. Lets not forget about that.

The salary cap issue is a non-factor it seems. Once they start resigning players that 120 million will be in our rear view mirror.

Any one know yet how the Yankee fans are feeling about this rumor???? They must be kicking themselves and ready to jump off the Washington Bridge.

We're getting some prospects for Williamson, basically. They shouldn't be anything huge, but getting some farm guys would be nice.

I love the idea of Mags and A-Rod. Those two guys had better production than Manny and Nomar last year and, contrary to what someone posted here, Mags does not compare to Manny in the character department. In fact, from most accounts this guy flat out works day in and day out without ever complaining. With that being said, I just can't see how this works for the Sox in the long run. How can they possibly lock him up long-term with all of those contracts expiring at the end of the year. Unless the Sox are willing to give Shoppach the job and Pedro is willing to take Gehrig38 money, I don't think we could sign Mags to an extension. Furthermore, it is unlikely that he will agree to a significant cut to his $14 million contract.

If this all goes down, Nomar/Manny/Williamson for ARod and Mags, I like it. I was really concerned in trading Nomar and Manny for Arod and ???, that ??? would not make this equal value. But I'd have to say that this is definitely of equal value if not more so in the Sox favor.

I can understand the questioning of adding Williamson (Nomar should have been enough) but...with Foulke, Timlin, Embree, etc. the Sox bullpen is still very strong!

It looks like Selig has pushed this deal to happen quickly
by setting a Thursday deadline.
Since the media is saying everyone wants it to happen,
including the Players Union, it will happen.
ARod's Kong-sized contract will be reshuffled--probably by extending it
some more to reduce the average dollars--with marginal increase to the total dollars.

And now we have the other drama being played out--who's going to get Nomar?
Apparently the White Sox--for Ordonez--another expensive player.
One wonders what the Dodgers will do, if anything.

Nomar-Manny 3-4 for Mags-ARod 3-4 isn't skipping a beat hitting-wise,
but does it save any money? I thought that was the idea.

But maybe there are other issues here--like Manny's aloofness
and Nomar's agent--which have fueled Henry to make these deals.

Keep in mind that, with the NESN in their pockets, and fans willing
to spend 50 bucks to sit in the bleachers (who wouldn't, with this team?),
the Red Sox can afford it.

And to think I used to pay 50 cents to see Teddy Ballgame hit those
towering shots in the bleachers... now there was a bargain.

I will be at a Christmas party tonight, and there's going to be a lot of MFY fans there. It's gonna be a very interesting night.

Nomar will make $11.5 and Williamson about $3 Mil.. correct... so it's roughly $14.5 for those two next year.... and Mags is only $14... so we save about $500,000...

also, mags will be a free agent, so that $14 mil comes off the books after that year.. and then we can either see if we want to re-sign him (the market for sure by then will limit him to a $12-$14 mil or less/year contract) so we can either negociate or then find a better FA or trade, whatnot, next year...

and also by that time (one year from now) Bill Mueller will be off the books for whatever he'll be making , and we'll be bringing up Youikilisiskinsisinisniski, the on-base king... PLUS pedro, lowe, v-tek's contracts will either be off the books or restructured obviously with new contracts (does anyone know how to spell shoppach???)

never thought I'd be able to smile again after Nomar would leave town...but for the first time in allll these weeks of talks.. it sounds like we are getting a good deal and that the team will be ok for next year... and beyond.

- remdawg

A trade for Ordonez is a "win now" move. The Sox will most likely have to part with one or two of Lowe, Tek or Nixon, if they want to resign Pedro and Ordonez.

Our friends at nyyfans.com are very aware of this development

http://forums.nyyfans.com/showthread.php?threadid=54449


If Theo has indeed pulled this off they have in effect upgraded by losing both Nomar and Manny

This is indeed stunning

Hey Crazy, make sure you rub it in real good. It's pay back for all the years that we've been having to hear about their overrated team.

I'm hearing to much complaining about giving up some pitching. We just got Schilling and Foulke!!!

I'll take Schilling/Foulke/A-rod/Maggs over Fossum/Lyon/Manny/Nomar/Williamson any day of the week and twice on Sunday. Not even a comparison.

I could live with this if this were actually the deal BUT it appears that we also have to throw in Scott Williamson as well which weakens the pen (here we go again) and we lose our chip to get a second baseman. So, with Williamson involved, we're a bit weaker, I think. Still, I prefer this scenario to just about every other one I've heard so far this winter.

BTW, as per 2003 figures, ARod is NOT a defensive upgrade over Nomar. Nomar got noticeably better defensively in 2003 while ARod slipped a bit, so much so that Nomar actually was the better defender. Ordonez is no great shakes either, but he is better than Manny.

Definetely a win now move, which given how close they came last year I can understand. I fear a little for next years chaos with all the contracts up, but you have to be excited about 2004. But given the moves they have pulled off this year I will tend to have some faith.

I don't see how they get under the luxury tax either if they pick up Mags, actually I'm not sure they get under 130 if they pick up Mags, but if they can pull off three blockbuster deals in less than a month anything is possible.

Last year at about this time if you asked what the most untradable contracts in MLB were you would have likely got a lot of votes for these.

Hampton
A-rod
Manny
Chan ho
D. Drieffert
K. Brown

I am probably missing someone obvious but all of sudden 4 of the top 6 or 7 have changed hands, it's amazing really.

Dude,

I hope you realize the salary cap goes up to 128 million in 2005.

What the issue with what Millar said? Don't you feel the same way? They probably all know Manny and Nomar are gone anyways, he's just answering a question honestly. Fans nail athletes to the wall when they only speak in cliches to the media. Millar is 100% right, and a vast majority of fans/media feel the same way. He also went out of his way to praise Manny and Nomar, but you'd call him an idiot if he said he would rather have Nomar than Arod. Furthermore, who do you think is going to the the SS next season? The double standards that are expressed when it comes to athletes are both repugnant and laughable.

Win now is preferable to win in 2005-2006. Theo & Co. always said that they won't deal with all of the 2004 FAs in a way that would detrimentally affect the 2004 win total. If this Ordonez deal goes down, they have obviously found a very creative way to stay competitive beyond 2004. As for the luxury tax, including Kim and Williamson would send $16.5M to Chicago (not including the arbitration numbers) and that would actually cut the Red Sox payroll by about $5M, which they would then use presumably to improve the pen and pick up a 5th starter. Whether $5M is enough for those players is really questionable, but there is some low cost flexibility there.

A-Rod is definitely a defensive upgrade over Nomar, I don't care what the fielding percentages say.

BUT, in the last 3 seasons the combined OPS:

combined ops last 3 years for Manny and Nomar:
1.898

combined ops last 3 years for Ordonez and ARod
1.951

ALSO, ARod is 2 years younger than Nomar.

And, Ordonez is 2 years younger than Manny.

Gotta like that !

Anyone hear anything on the sox possible interest in jay payton? He could fill in as a cheap alternative in left or could be used in center if the sox trade johhny damon and his $8mil salary. Payton made only $1.85mil last year and hit 28hr (13 at home and 15 on the road) with 89 rbi (50 at home and 39 on the road).

Reports state that the Rockies have offered Jay Payton a one-year deal to stay with the team; but that it was believed to be less than he would make in arbitration so payton was leaning toward not accepting it and then the rockies woould non-tender him making him a free agent.

Can someone explain why the Red Sox have to throw in Scott williamson in the Nomar/Maggs trade?

They are both free agrents after next year, Maggs will be making $2.5m more than Nomar...why do the White Sox get an extra player?

The folks at White Sox Interactive are going bonkers over this development.

I hope we're getting great prospects.

I'm not sure of the answer but do deferred payments count in current years payroll.

For example, if a player has 5 million defered in 2004 do you have to add that to a team that has a payroll total og 115 million? Same question about a signing bonus instead of deferred payments?

Can someone with a law background answer this for me please.

If the Mags for Nomar deal is legit and all the right sources say (yes it is), hats of to Theo and company for building a team that can compete with the Yankees and the rest of the baseball world. How does this look now? I think that in the two years they have been in control this team has figured out that defense and pitching win Championships. One more note wait 3-4 more years when we start deveoping our own players in the revamped farm system. If Theo and company are as serious about that goal as they have been this off season we are in for a good stretch.

***********PITCHING**********
SP Pedro
SP Schilling
SP D-Lowe
SP Wake
SP ?????


BP Embree
BP Timlin
CL Foulke

***********LINEUP************

1. Damon L
2. Mueller S
3. A-Rod R
4. Mags R
5. Ortiz L
6. Millar R
7. Nixon L
8. Varitek S
9. Bellhorn R

Offseason moves in Bold.

Seems like you are being too defensive about this whole situation. If that's the case then Manny's mouth got traded to the Yankees for cash, since none of their prospects are worth anything.

... Mariano is the last great pitcher NY has.

I believe last night on sports center they said over the last 2 years A-Rod had 18 errors and Nomar had 45 errors. hmmmm I am also sure that their range is pretty close seeings how their total chances were pretty even. SOunds to me like a slight upgrade

Ummmm, CTGirl, I was joking.

A quote from that site:

"I know this is getting WAY ahead of ourselves, but the thought of Maggs wearing a Boston cap in Cooperstown makes me want to cry."
-MarqSox

From The CBA:

Deferred Compensation shall be included in a Player’s
Salary as if paid in the championship season to which it is attributed
under a Uniform Player’s Contract. If a Contract does not
attribute Deferred Compensation, the Contract shall be treated as
if the Deferred Compensation was attributed equally to each of
the Guaranteed Years in the Contract.

So the answer is YES, the deferred compensation does count against the current club payroll. Furthermore, if the player is entitled to interest on the deferred money, the CBA does factor the added value of the interest into the total equation. As a lawyer, I don't do math, so please don't expect me to do calculations as to how A-Rod's deal will actually count against current payroll.

Oh, and bonus money is calculated by dividing the total bonus by the number of guaranteed years and then attributing that bonus equally over the term of the contract.

don,

I didn't even think of calculating their OPS over the last three years. Thanks for the info. I like the fact that we get better production and we get younger.

Maybe, but nobody cares what you say, so deal. At best, they're a wash defensively. Nomar's arm may still be more a bit more erratic, but his quickness, footwork, and range are equal or superior to Rodriguez's.

Nevertheless, Mags is a tangible upgrade over Manny in the field, at least when the Sox are on the road. I still think we're going to get a reduction in offense out of the two spots. A-Rod might be a $25M player at Arlington, but he hasn't hit like one elsewhere.


Ballpark at Arlington has added 55 points to Rodriguez's batting average, 150 points to his OPS. At home he matches up with anybody not named Bonds. On the road he's a top 20, middle of the line-up hitter, but no longer looks to be worth double what you'd pay for Garciaparra or Tejada.

Before any smart-asses try to argue by pointing out Nomar's road stats - let me save you time - they're irrelevent. We [/I]know[I] Nomar is great at Fenway, so if he makes up for crappy road numbers with superman home production, that's fine - at least we know. We don't yet know what effect, positive or negative, Fenway will have on Rodriguez. Hopefully, Alex's road numbers improve by playing fewer games at Oakland and Seattle, otherwise, he's going to have a hard time meeting expectations.

I was just looking at Arods past 3 years split in Fenway.

He hits better everywhere else in the AL. I knew his number would take a hit coming to Fenway, but it maybe quite a bit.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/spli...75&type=batting

Scroll to 3 year split.

Mags/A-Rod/Schilling and Foulke

What would we give up if it all goes through

Fossum,Manny,Nomar Williamson,Todd Walker,Lyon

Actually looks good when you look at it like that

This new management really believes in going for top class