Rodriguez agent blames both teams for collapse of deal

NEW YORK -- Alex Rodriguez's agent headed home to California on Saturday, blaming the Red Sox and Texas Rangers for the collapse of the deal that would have sent the shortstop to Boston.

Rodriguez took a wait-and-see approach, saying Saturday he didn't want to comment publicly on the status of the on-and-off-deal, which came apart Thursday but may revive at some point before spring training.

The Red Sox proclaimed the trade "dead" Thursday, blaming the players' association for not approving a $28 million-to-$30 million reduction in Rodriguez's $252 million, 10-year contract. Texas, also blaming the union, said it wasn't prepared to say talks were over.

"We worked very hard on this deal," Scott Boras, Rodriguez's agent, said. "Alex has done everything he can to show his good faith by committing $13 million. The two sides were $20 million apart. You would think mutual concessions by both teams would allow this deal to happen."

The players' association said it would allow a restructuring of his contract but not a reduction. Boras proposed that the remaining $179 million Rodriguez is owed over the next seven years be reduced by $12 million -- $13 million if interest on deferred money is included -- in exchange for his client gaining the right to use Boston's logos in marketing deals.

Red Sox president Larry Lucchino insists Boston had stopped its efforts to acquire the shortstop.