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Rangers' Gonzalez vetoes clubs' trade deal with Montreal

Texas Rangers slugger Juan Gonzalez on Friday vetoed a Major League Baseball trade that would have sent him to the Montreal Expos, wards of the sport who might be relocated next season.

Gonzalez informed the Rangers that he decided to exercise the no-trade clause in his contract.

"During my career, I've learned a lot," he said. "I signed with Texas as a kid. Texas is a very special place to me."

Gonzalez's decision came two days after he met with Expos general manager Omar Minaya, who flew to Texas in an attempt to convince the two-time American League Most Valuable Player to accept the trade.

The Rangers kept Gonzalez out of the lineup since reaching agreement on the trade Tuesday.

The 33-year-old slugger is slated to make US$12 million this season and is hitting .286 with 18 home runs and 50 runs batted in over 65 games. He has a history of injury problems and recently missed seven games due to groin and elbow ailments.

Gonzalez spent his first 11 years with Texas but was traded to the Detroit Tigers for an ill-fated season in 2000. He resurrected his career the following year with Cleveland and returned to the Rangers last season, hitting .282 with eight homers and 35 RBI in just 70 games.

Texas (28-47) has won two of three following an eight-game losing streak but the Rangers are in last place in the American League West divison , 22 games behind first-place Seattle.

The Expos are in second place in the National League East.
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