New York deserves congratulations for acquiring one of the premier players in baseball history. Outside of OF-L Barry Bonds, no one has rivaled SS-R Alex Rodriguez's production over the period of the last three years. Moving to Yankee stadium will mask some of his power, but I still don't expect ARod to hit less than 40 home runs in any of the next three seasons. He knows how to take a walk, and he's even a smart baserunner. The Yankees might witness a drop off in his performance in the final couple seasons of his contract, however the 28-year-old currently is in the prime of his career and has suffered very few health problems. Consequently, I anticipate at least three more seasons of premium production.

An oft-ignored escalator clause in Rodriguez's contract adds $5M to his salary in both 2009 and 2010, taking the totals respectively from $17M and $18M to $22M and $23M. Alternately, his price could rise to $1M more than the average annual value of the non-pitcher with the contract with the highest average annual value if that would result in him receiving more than the $22M and $23M sums. The likelihood of someone else approaching his salary is miniscule, so seven years of Rodriguez should cost New York $122M, excluding his numerous award bonuses and the price of his hotel suite on the road. While there's no reason to anticipate he will exercise his option to terminate the deal, Rodriguez can declare free agency after 2007, 2008, or 2009 if he wishes.

In New York, Rodriguez finally should receive the recognition he deserves among even casual baseball fans. Tennis player Andy Roddick will need to find a new nickname as the world remembers that Alex Rodriguez is the original ARod. Hopefully, his contract will be less of an issue with the media and public, since the Yankees are clearly almost always willing to spend regardless of their current commitments, which should finally allow observers to focus on Rodriguez's performance on the field. Many more people should be exposed to his talents, and seeing the game played with skill inspires interest in the sport.

At the moment, SS-R Derek Jeter plans to remain at short since Rodriguez agreed to move to third base. However, Rodriguez is a Gold Glove defender at shortstop while Jeter may make many highlight reels with his throws but possesses limited range. Consequently, natural selection and George Steinbrenner eventually could move Jeter to either second or third as ARod returns to short.

While most characterizations of this trade define the deal as the Yankees' reaction to 3B-R Aaron Boone's injury, New York remains one man short in their infield. The club undoubtedly improved with the acquisition, but by dealing Soriano for ARod, the Yankees merely upgraded from a good player to a great player. The hole left in their offense by Boone's injury simply shifted from third to second, and IF-S Enrique Wilson now appears slotted to cover second base for New York. Once the Yankees tire of Wilson's limited offensive contribution, they will deal for another infielder closer in value to their injured playoff hero, making it a mistake to view ARod as Boone's replacement even if Rodriguez spends all season at third base.