Rangers History: Remembering when Texas signed legend to largest contract in sports

Remembering when the Rangers signed MLB legend Alex Rodriguez to the largest contract in sports history

On December 11, 2000, after finishing last place in the American League West with a 71-91 win-loss record, the Texas Rangers signed MLB legend Alex Rodriguez to a 10-year, $252 million contract. The deal marked the largest contract in sports history at the time.

Rodriguez, who was 25 when he signed the contract with Texas, had already posted 38.1 bWAR and a .309/.374/.561 (138 OPS+) slash line in parts of seven seasons with the Seattle Mariners before signing with the Rangers.

As Rangers fans know, Rodriguez didn't stay with Texas for 10 years, despite signing a 10-year deal with the team. He played just three seasons in a Rangers uniform, making three American League All-Star teams while posting 25.5 bWAR and a .305/.395/.615 (155 OPS+) slash line with 156 home runs and 395 RBI. However, the Rangers failed to make the postseason during those three seasons, which led to Rodriguez being traded to the Yankees for Alfonso Soriano and Joaquin Arias during the 2003-04 offseason. The Rangers still paid $67 million of Rodriguez's contract after the blockbuster trade.

Rangers almost traded Alex Rodriguez to Red Sox

Before he was shipped to the Yankees, Rodriguez almost became a member of the Boston Red Sox. After his three years with the Rangers, Rodriguez was still owed $179 million on his contract. Boston wanted him but was unwilling to pay the full $179 million. Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein told Rodriguez he'd have to reduce the value of his contract by $4 million per year ($28 million total) in order to acquire him, according to the Boston Globe's Gordon Edes.

Rodriguez, wanting to play for a winning team, was willing to restructure his contract if it meant he could play for Boston. The restructured deal would've given him opt-outs after 2005 and every year after, instead of just after 2007. In this trade, the Rangers would've received Manny Ramirez, Jon Lester and cash, while the White Sox would've received Nomar Garciaparra and Scott Williamson for Magglio Ordonez and Brandon McCarthy. The players' union rejected the trade, as it did not want to reduce the value of an existing contract.