Alex Rodriguez was ready to go to Boston, and the Texas Rangers were doing their part to make it happen.
But after nearly two months of discussions, the American League MVP is staying in Texas.
Attempts to complete a trade of baseball's only US$20 million-a-year players -- Rodriguez to Boston for outfielder Manny Ramirez -- ended Tuesday after Rangers owner Tom Hicks' deadline passed without a deal.
Hicks spoke with Red Sox owner John Henry twice Tuesday before the 2200 GMT deadline. It was their first conversation in four days. But instead of last-minute negotiations, the owners ended the talks that began right after the World Series ended.
"We both recognized there was too big a gulf to bridge," Hicks said. "Neither one of us thought it would take the public profile it did, or get as complex as it did."
The end of the deal really came last week after the players' association rejected a proposal by the Red Sox to cut US$28 million to US$30 million off A-Rod's record US$252 million contract.
Henry, Rex Sox chairman Tom Werner, president Larry Lucchino and general manager Theo Epstein issued a joint statement Tuesday saying "no further discussions regarding this transaction are planned."
Rodriguez's agent also agreed that the talks were finally over.
"Tom Hicks has indicated he would not consider a trade for Alex Rodriguez in the immediate future," said the shortstop's agent, Scott Boras.
Hicks spoke several times Tuesday to Rodriguez, and said the shortstop was "happy" to remain with the Rangers.
"I'm 100 percent certain that when the Rangers show up for spring training in Surprise, Arizona, the guy that will be working the hardest and the guy that will be our team leader will be Alex Rodriguez," Hicks said.
Lucchino proclaimed the trade "dead" Thursday, blaming the players' association for not approving a steeper proposed reduction in Rodriguez's contract. Hicks also blamed the union, but didn't give up on the deal until Tuesday.
Following three last-place finishes in Texas, Rodriguez was interested in playing for a winner. If he still somehow ends up in Boston, the Red Sox presumably would then trade longtime shortstop Nomar Garciaparra, possibly to the Chicago White Sox.
On Nov. 17, the day he won his AL MVP award, Rodriguez confirmed the Rangers had talked to him about a possible trade. His contract includes a no-trade clause.
Reliever Jay Powell is glad Rodriguez is staying in Texas, and said there wouldn't be any hard feelings from the team toward the shortstop.
"We definitely don't feel like he was trying to leave us," Powell said. "He's one of the most respected guys in the clubhouse, and we were hoping he would stick around. I don't know anybody in the clubhouse that wants to see Alex leave."
Rodriguez and Ramirez agreed to their big contracts on the same day, three years ago during the winter meetings in Dallas.
Rodriguez has seven years and US$179 million remaining on his 10-year contract. Ramirez signed a US$160 million, eight-year contract that has five years and US$97.5 million left.
During negotiations last week, the players' association said Rodriguez's agreement could be restructured but not reduced.
Instead, the union said it would approve a change that would lower the contract by US$12 million to US$13 million in exchange for Rodriguez getting the right to use Boston's logo and trademarks in marketing deals. In addition, he'd be able to become a free agent after the 2005 season.
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