2000s: Blockbuster Trades

Alex Rodriguez to the Yankees from the Rangers for Alfonso Soriano and Joaquin Arias

Originally ticketed for Boston until the players' association balked at Rodriguez's restructuring his record $252 million contract, the reigning AL MVP instead headed to New York, where he switched from shortstop to third base. Rodriguez won the 2005 and 2007 MVP Awards for New York while becoming a lightning rod for his relationships, his performance-enhancing drug use and, until last season, his playoff failures. In 2009, Rodriguez had six home runs and 18 RBIs in the postseason to help the Yankees win the World Series for the first time since his arrival.