Rangers prepared to trade or keep Rodriguez

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) -- Texas hasn't given up on a trade to send AL MVP Alex Rodriguez to the Boston Red Sox.

The Rangers also haven't written off the idea of A-Rod remaining their shortstop next season.

Another deadline in the proposed deal passed Thursday and commissioner Bud Selig ended talks between Rodriguez and the Red Sox to restructure the shortstop's $252 million contract.

Even after Boston president Larry Lucchino declared the deal dead, Rangers general manager John Hart said he expected further negotiations between owner Tom Hicks and the Red Sox.

"If not, we'd feel very happy having Alex Rodriguez as our shortstop next spring," Hart said. "There is still a very strong likelihood that that is what will happen, and the Rangers will be excited about that."

Texas just wants the Rodriguez issue settled.

As long as the Rangers are unsure of Rodriguez's status, and the financial ramifications, there isn't much more they can do in pursuit of other potential players.

"It has made it difficult to do things we might have an opportunity to do with the trade taking as long as it has," Hart said. "At some point, it is time to move on."

The only player Texas has signed during the offseason is Brad Fullmer, a designated hitter/first baseman targeted as Rafael Palmeiro's replacement.

With a Saturday deadline for teams to offer 2004 contracts to unsigned players on their rosters, the Rangers could be in a difficult spot because of the Rodriguez uncertainty.

While Hart said he hasn't missed out on any deals so far, he likes to bolster the Texas roster by signing players not offered contracts by other teams. That way he doesn't have to give up a draft pick as compensation.

If the Rodriguez deal is done, the Rangers would get Boston outfielder Manny Ramirez -- baseball's only $20 million-a-year player. Texas also wants some young players and for the Red Sox to pay a substantial part of Ramirez's salary.

Rangers manager Buck Showalter, who maintains he's not aware of any alleged rift in his relationship with Rodriguez, said he's just waiting for the issue to be resolved.

And he doesn't anticipate any problems if Rodriguez remains in Texas.

"I think he loves his teammates. I think he loves the potential direction we can head," Showalter said. "He wants it to happen yesterday, just like me. He and I were both very frustrated at the end of the season. He and I share the same frustration."

Texas has finished last in the AL West all three seasons since Rodriguez signed his record 10-year contract.