Report: A-Rod, Rangers Close to $240M Deal
Dec. 11 -- Alex Rodriguez is about to become a very rich man.
The only question is just how rich. The answer may be at least $240 million over 12 years — and that’s before his endorsements and other marketing deals.
A Fort Worth newspaper is reporting that the free agent shortstop is on the verge of signing just such a pact with the Texas Rangers. A deal could be finalized as early as today, the Star-Telegram reported, citing unnamed sources.
Nine Hours of Talks
“Texas has put a lot of time and work into it, and so have we,” the shortstop’s agent, Scott Boras, was quoted as saying between the late-night bargaining sessions. “It’s hard to say right now, though. It’s very competitive, and it’s a complicated process.”
The newspaper said the closed-door discussions involved deep-pocketed owner Tom Hicks, general manager Doug Melvin and Boras, and lasted nearly nine hours. At one point, Boras left the room to consult Rodriguez, according to the newspaper.
Rodriguez’s current team, the Seattle Mariners, and the Atlanta Braves are also believed to be trying to acquire his services.
But the Rangers now appear to have the inside track. As the talks continued into the night, Boras cancelled meetings with other teams — including the New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers — as he and Hicks worked on the deal, according to the Star-Telegram.
The newspaper quoted a source as saying the final value of the package could be $264 million over 12 years, but that a number of details have yet to be finalized.
Deferred money, “escape” clauses and non-monetary issue are still under discussion, the newspaper reported. Rodriguez is also concerned about what would happen if Hicks sold the team.
The Sporting News reported in its online edition that Boras told other teams he had received an acceptable offer for his client. That offer would presumably be the one from the Rangers.
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