SI.com - MLB - Yankees-Rangers Trade Analysis - Monday February 16, 2004 2:04PM

Trade Analysis

YANKEES GET:
Alex Rodriguez -- SS

RANGERS GET:
Alfonso Soriano -- 2B
PTBN

Stats	Avg.	R	2B	3B	HR	RBI	OPS	SB
2003	.298	124	30	6	47	118	.995	17
Career	.308	1,009	285	22	345	990	.963	177

Stats	Avg.	R	2B	3B	HR	RBI	OPS	SB
2003	.290	114	36	5	38	91	.863	35
Career	.284	326	124	10	98	270	.824	121

HOW IT HELPS NEW YORK

HOW IT HELPS TEXAS

Adding the best player in baseball is never a bad thing. The Yankees plug the hole at third base created by Aaron Boone's torn ACL by getting rid of their second baseman, who just happens to be a perennial 30/30 man. A-Rod becomes the anchor of an already stout lineup, and his defense helps solidify an infield that was being ruined by the brick in Soriano's glove.

The Rangers are better off with this package that what the Red Sox were offering, if only for the simple fact that they don't have to live with Manny Ramirez for the rest of the decade. Soriano isn't likely to become A-Rod-like in his defense or his batting eye, but his combination of youth, power and speed is tantalizing.

THE BOTTOM LINE by SI.com's Jacob Luft

This may be the closest Tom Hicks comes to admitting what a colossal blunder it was to sign A-Rod for $252 million in the first place. When all the dust clears, Hicks will end up having paid $140 million for three years of A-Rod's services. But this isn't about the Rangers. It's about a Yankees team that is paying more for the left side of its infield than some teams pay on their entire roster. You want Murderer's Row? Pitching to this lineup will be impossible. Right now there is only one spot in the order, No. 9 (Enrique Wilson/Miguel Cairo), that will not be filled by an All-Star. No matter how much turbulence is caused by this collection of high-maintenance personalities, the roster is just too jam-packed with talent not to win. Good luck, American League.


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