A-Rod, Yankees, Red Sox, and more.

As we near the start of MLB spring training, it is amazing to see what is happening on professional baseball's "hot stove."

Most recently, New York and Texas finalized the terms of a trade Sunday, which would bring Alex Rodriguez to the Yankees, and the players' association gave its approval.

It appears that the A-Rod soap opera is finally coming to a halt.

All that remains is the approval of commissioner Bud Selig.

News of true agreements and false ones have been excellent for Major League Baseball.

For many weeks, it appeared as if A-Rod was headed to Boston.

We have been hearing about all of this hoopla, A-Rod, Vladimir Guerrero, and many other big name players, for the past couple months.

While many people get annoyed by it, these trade talks have kept the public sporting interest in baseball.

Since losing to the Marlins in October, the Yankees have acquired Kevin Brown, Javier Vazquez, Gary Sheffield and Kenny Lofton.

Now, on February 15th, all indications are that the AL MVP is headed to the Bronx.

This could not have been a more successful off-season for baseball.

This is a nice way to cap off all that has occurred in the past few months.

The Rangers will pay $67 million of the $179 million left on A-Rod's contract.

In return, Texas gets Alfonso Soriano.

Everyone got what they wanted.

The Rangers now have some breathing room in terms of money, and the Yankees got what they wanted to make a strong World Series run in 2004.

The Red Sox will have to finally rise from this curse and they will have to do it against perhaps one of the most stout line-ups in recent memory.

There will be no excuses by either side for not reaching the AL Championship Series, as the intensity of this game will be at an all-time high.

Let's all just remember that A-Rod hasn't had a single meaningful bat in his time at Texas.

He hasn't been in the seventh game of the AL Championship series when Aaron Boone jacked a shot into the left field stands.

Who knows, for sure, how he will react to difficult situations?

It will be interesting to see what happens.

The Sox were so close last season.

Now, they must start all over again, starting with spring training.

The long road to October begins shortly.

The teams, are set, let's Play Ball!!!

Comments? Reach me at CNC1986@hotmail.com