Frustrated by the constant losing, Texas Rangers slugger Alex Rodriguez is willing to consider a trade.
"If the Rangers found they could be better off without me, whether now or a year or two down the road, I'd be willing to sit down and talk," Rodriguez said before Texas' game against Boston on Wednesday night.
Rodriguez had never before indicated publicly that he would consider such a move.
The All-Star shortstop is in the third year of his record US$252 million, 10-year contract given to him by owner Tom Hicks. The Rangers, meanwhile, are headed for their fourth straight last-place finish in the American League West and have committed to a youth movement.
"When I signed here, I thought we'd make a hard turn toward improvement," A-Rod said. "Obviously, we're in a very tough division. I want what's best for Mr. Hicks, if it were down to the Rangers improving or me being happy."
Going into Wednesday's game, Rodriguez was hitting .291 with 24 home runs and 65 RBIs. He led the majors with 57 homers and 142 RBIs last season. Rangers general manager John Hart said he was surprised by Rodriguez's comments but hadn't had time to speak to the star about them.
"It's hard for me to respond," Hart said. "Alex is a foundation piece. It would be unfair for me to comment on that at this moment. At this juncture right now, we're not even thinking about that."
Hicks often refers to the Rangers as "A-Rod's team" and said Texas isn't talking about trading Rodriguez.
"He is an asset and we are not interested in considering any kind of trade nor does he want to be traded," Hicks said Wednesday night. "Alex is fully on board with building our team and our plan."
Rodriguez turned 28 on Sunday, and started his third straight All-Star game earlier this month. He was also an All-Star from 1996-98 while in Seattle and missed the 2000 game because of an injury.
Despite Rodriguez's personal accolades and him playing in all 431 games since arriving, the Rangers have remained in last place.
"It's just something that, being my third year here, you want to see improvement, and I don't know if we have improved over three years," Rodriguez said. "It may be a year or two down the road. And obviously, I don't want to be the one that handicaps this team."
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