Selig ends A-Rod negotiations

NEW YORK -- Baseball commissioner Bud Selig ended talks between Alex Rodriguez and Boston to restructure the shortstop's $252 million contract, dealing another setback to the proposed trade between the Red Sox and Texas.

The sides were trying to rework the shortstop's deal Thursday in a manner acceptable to the Red Sox and the players' association when Selig stopped the talks about 20 minutes after the 5 p.m. deadline.

"Due to the unique and complex nature of the negotiations surrounding the proposed transaction involving Alex Rodriguez and Manny Ramirez and the number of teams involved, the negotiations did not reach a successful conclusion by the deadline set," Selig said in a statement. "I have terminated my permission for Boston and Alex Rodriguez to continue pursuing this transaction at this time."

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2003/12/18/selig_ends_a_rod_negotiations/

no surprise the players association wouldnt allow Rodriguez to make his own decision.

I prefer the sox with Nomar and Manny anyway.

Please keep Manny...

picked that one up from a Slate article during the Series.

I was not aware that commissioners were in the habit of interfering with negotiations between individual clubs. When, exactly, did this custom begin?

At least the Sox got themselves some pitching. I am not, repeat NOT, looking forward to watching the Yankees choke yet again to the Sunbelt expansion team du jour!