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If such a deal went down, Texas would HAVE to pick up some of the money owed to A-Rod each year.
Some other thoughts.
1. Living in Cleveland, I know John Hart wouldn't know a young pitching prospect if he was hit by a 95 mile an hour fastball. It's not the way Hart builds his teams. His Cleveland teams were built with the idea that you can give up five runs a game, but Cleveland would likely score ten each time out. In short, his strategy is the anti-Billy Beane.
2. Boston is a free agent mess. Theo Epstein and friends really need to pull a rabbit out of the hat this year: so many faces will change. And they shouldn't count on being able to get talent like Ortiz and Mueller at the prices they got it last year - some of this stuff is a big gamble.
3. Texas really, really, really needs pitching. In Cleveland, we are still trying to figure out why John Hart sent us a nice young outfielder for Ryan Drese. Not that we are complaining, mind you.
My final analysis: Although I hate to see players so closely tied to their franchises traded away (Garciaparra), this could be a nice move for Boston if they can get Young as well. A-Rod and Young are already used to each others style of play and should seemlessly fit into Boston.
From the Texas perspective: it's a bonehead move if they can't unload almost all of A-Rod's salary to help them help themselves in other areas.
Finally, its a matter of money. Even Boston can't take on A-Rod's contract in full without making concessions elsewhere. How much salary Texas is willing to pick up is going to be the factor that determines whether or not this trade can be completed.
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