 02/16/2004 9:07 PM ET
How the Yanks pulled the deal off
NEW YORK -- It all began with Brian Cashman turning to the guy next to him in the boardroom and saying with raised eyebrows, "Hey, maybe A-Rod would play third."
Not quite the way it happened. But just about, and from idle daydreams sprouted the trade that on Monday landed Alex Rodriguez in pinstripes.
"When we got word that he would be willing to change positions, my reaction was one of surprise, because you just don't know," said Cashman, the New York general manager. "It was a Mt. Everest request."
The Yankees began their ascent a couple of weeks ago, after Cashman's imagination was sparked by sharing the dais with Rodriguez at the Baseball Writers Association of America awards banquet in New York on Jan. 25.
The team's brain trust had already brainstormed possible solutions in the few days since it became aware of Aaron Boone's basketball knee injury.
"As a result of that, we had a problem," said Yankees club president Randy Levine, picking up the timeline. "We began to fantasize about Alex Rodriguez possibly playing third base for the Yankees.
"After we saw him at the BBWAA dinner, even after he'd been named the Rangers captain, we said, 'Let's think about it.' Brian had been talking to the Rangers about Mike Lamb, and in the course of a conversation with (Texas GM) John Hart, ran the idea by him.
"Days went by, and we sat patiently. A week later, Cash and John Hart spoke, and he conveyed that there was an interest."
"When John Hart said we could proceed, that was a welcome surprise," Cashman recalled. "That was a major hurdle in this process."
"Then Tom Hicks got involved," Levine said of the Texas club owner, "and we started structuring various offers, letting Mr. (George) Steinbrenner know what was going on.
"He gave us the encouragement to go forward to try to resolve this. At the end of last week, it seemed a deal was very achievable ... and we were able to actually conclude it."
Keeping the negotiations hushed until the final hours was crucial, given the emotional rollercoaster ride Rodriguez had already taken with his attempted trade to Boston, which ended in disappointment.
By the time news of the megadeal leaked, the parties were diligently working toward resolution, apparently safe from any last-minute mines.
"It was very, very, very intense and quick, and a very, very wonderful process," Levine said. "I take my hat off to our entire organization, which acted in concert and with speed and efficiency. And to the Texas Rangers organization, which did the same.
"The Players Association, the Commissioner's office ... they were all outstanding."
And the Yankees have their new third baseman, who will be formally introduced Tuesday at a noon press conference in Yankee Stadium.
Make no mistake, A-Rod will take his consecutive Gold Gloves into the hot corner. Careful that Derek Jeter not misconstrue the club's agenda and to reassure him that he will remain their shortstop, Cashman and Steinbrenner both kept in touch with him as this trade evolved.
And what did Captain Jeter think of having a six-time All-Star on his right?
Said Cashman, "He said, 'This is pretty cool.'"
Tom Singer is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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