Texas says A-Rod will stay with Rangers

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Texas says Alex Rodriguez will be back with the Rangers next season.

The Tuesday deadline for a deal with Boston passed without a trade of the American League MVP. The Rangers, Red Sox and Rodriguez's agent all said talks are finally over.

"It is time for the Texas Rangers to look forward to the 2004 season with Alex Rodriguez as our shortstop and team leader," Hicks said. "As we explored recent opportunities, we always said he would not be traded unless it made our team better, faster. Alex is the best player in baseball and we are excited to have him as a leader in the clubhouse and on the field."

Texas had proposed sending Rodriguez to Boston for Manny Ramirez, but talks collapsed last week after the players' association rejected a proposal by the Red Sox to cut $28 million to $30 million off A-Rod's record $252 million contract.

"Alex wants to compete in the postseason, but he also wants to help Texas be a champion and be a part of what we are doing here," Hicks said. "From our conversations I know he loves Texas and he's happy being here."

There did not appear to be any talks as the 4 p.m. deadline approached.

"Tom Hicks has indicated he would not consider a trade for Alex Rodriguez in the immediate future," said the shortstop's agent, Scott Boras.

Boston owner John Henry, chairman Tom Werner, president Larry Lucchino and general manager Theo Epstein issued a joint statement Tuesday saying "no further discussions regarding this transaction are planned."

Following weeks of discussions, Hicks said Monday that he hadn't spoken to anyone from the Red Sox in three days.

Lucchino proclaimed the trade "dead" Thursday, blaming the players' association for not approving a steeper proposed reduction in Rodriguez's contract. Texas also blamed the union, but didn't give up on the deal.

Following three last-place finishes in Texas, Rodriguez was interested in playing for a winner. If he somehow ends up in Boston, the Red Sox presumably would then trade longtime shortstop Nomar Garciaparra, possibly to the Chicago White Sox.

Rodriguez's 10-year contract has seven years and $179 million remaining. Ramirez has five years and $97.5 million left on the $160 million, eight-year contract he agreed to the same day Rodriguez got his record deal.

During negotiations last week, the players' association said Rodriguez's agreement could be restructured but not reduced.

Instead, the union said it would approve a change that would lower the contract by $12 million to $13 million in exchange for Rodriguez getting the right to use Boston's logo and trademarks in marketing deals. In addition, he'd be able to become a free agent after the 2005 season.

"In a response to a request from Tom Hicks," Boras said, "Alex was asked to consider a trade to the Red Sox. Tom Hicks and Alex worked diligently and in cooperation to facilitate an equitable transfer scenario.

"After reviewing the conditions of the transfer, both Alex and Tom Hicks agreed it was best to work together in pursuit of their common goals in the Texas Rangers' organization."

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AP Sports Writers Howard Ulman in Boston and Ronald Blum in New York contributed to this report.