 In an effort to build up their lineup , the Red Sox set up a potential deal that would send reigning AL MVP Alex Rodriguez to Boston and Red Sox Manny Ramírez and other players to Texas . The deal eventually fell through after Rodríguez indicated he would not go against the MLBPA , which opposes a proposed renegotiation , which would have potentially reduced Rodríguez 's earnings in the later years of his contract . A freak off @-@ season basketball injury to Aaron Boone just several months removed from his historic home run had Yankees management looking at possible options to replace him . Despite being courted by Boston for nearly three months , Rodríguez was traded from Texas to New York . 
