BOSTON -- Red Sox President/CEO Larry Lucchino issued the following statement tonight after the Major League Baseball Players Association rejected the agreement the Red Sox and Alex Rodriguez reached on a restructured contract: "Theo Epstein and his staff worked diligently and tirelessly and reached an agreement with Alex Rodriguez. Theo had the full support of John, Tom, and me along the way. The Red Sox and Rangers had agreed to the players to be involved in this transaction and were working toward an agreement on financial considerations to be included. A lot of time and effort has been invested on all sides to reach this critical point, but the Players Association rejected the agreement Alex took to them and, instead, proposed radical changes.
It is a sad day when the Players Association thwarts the will of its members. The Players Association asserts that it supports individual negotiations, freedom of choice, and player mobility. However, in this high-profile instance, their action contradicts this and is contrary to the desires of the player.
We appreciate the flexibility and determination Alex and Cynthia Rodriguez have shown in their effort to move to Boston and the Red Sox.
It has already been a fruitful off-season for the Red Sox, and we will continue to pursue all available avenues in our ongoing quest to improve our team as we look forward to 2004 and beyond."