Juan Gonzalez rejected a trade to the Montreal Expos (More..

HOUSTON (AP) _ Texas slugger Juan Gonzalez rejected a trade to the Montreal
Expos on Friday, exercising a no-trade clause in his contract three days
after the teams agreed to a deal.

Rangers general manager John Hart made a deal Tuesday to send the two-time
AL MVP to the Expos for prospects, possibly three, if the 33-year-old
outfielder accepted the trade. Montreal general manager Omar Minaya, who has
a long history with the slugger, traveled to Texas on Wednesday in hopes of
persuading Gonzalez to accept the deal.

But in a statement before Friday night's game against the Houston Astros,
Gonzalez said he would remain with the Rangers.

``During my career, I've learned a lot,'' Gonzalez said. ``I signed with
Texas as a kid. Texas is a very special place to me. Also, Omar Minaya is a
very special person in my life, and I want to thank Montreal and him for
their interest. However, I have a no-trade clause and respectfully decline
the trade to Montreal.''

Gonzalez, in the last year of his $24 million, two-year deal with Texas, had
until Saturday morning to invoke the no-trade clause.

Hart said he was disappointed the deal did not go through.

``This closes the chapter on the trade with Montreal,'' Hart said. ``Juan is
a part of this club and we will go forward. We are disappointed we won't be
able to get some young players, but we knew this possibility existed.''

Gonzalez is hitting .286 with 18 homers and 50 RBIs, but the Rangers have
made it clear that he won't be re-signed after this season because the team
is focusing on younger players.

Gonzalez originally signed with the Rangers in 1986 when he was just 16
years old, made his major league debut three years later and became an
everyday player in 1991. He was the AL MVP in 1996 and 1998 and then was
traded to Detroit in a nine-player deal in November 1999.

During his one season with the Tigers, he rejected a trade to the New York
Yankees, and then went to Cleveland as a free agent for one year before
returning to Texas.

In article <o54La.1866$a51.1607@news02.bloor.is.net.cable.rogers.com>,
"The MoFo" <the_mofo.TakeThisOut@nonnayoudamnbuzinessbiotch.com> wrote:

> HOUSTON (AP) _ Texas slugger Juan Gonzalez rejected a trade to the Montreal
> Expos on Friday, exercising a no-trade clause in his contract three days
> after the teams agreed to a deal.
>
> Rangers general manager John Hart made a deal Tuesday to send the two-time
> AL MVP to the Expos for prospects, possibly three, if the 33-year-old
> outfielder accepted the trade. Montreal general manager Omar Minaya, who has
> a long history with the slugger, traveled to Texas on Wednesday in hopes of
> persuading Gonzalez to accept the deal.
>
> But in a statement before Friday night's game against the Houston Astros,
> Gonzalez said he would remain with the Rangers.
>
> ``During my career, I've learned a lot,'' Gonzalez said. ``I signed with
> Texas as a kid. Texas is a very special place to me. Also, Omar Minaya is a
> very special person in my life, and I want to thank Montreal and him for
> their interest. However, I have a no-trade clause and respectfully decline
> the trade to Montreal.''
>
> Gonzalez, in the last year of his $24 million, two-year deal with Texas, had
> until Saturday morning to invoke the no-trade clause.
>
> Hart said he was disappointed the deal did not go through.
>
> ``This closes the chapter on the trade with Montreal,'' Hart said. ``Juan is
> a part of this club and we will go forward. We are disappointed we won't be
> able to get some young players, but we knew this possibility existed.''
>
> Gonzalez is hitting .286 with 18 homers and 50 RBIs, but the Rangers have
> made it clear that he won't be re-signed after this season because the team
> is focusing on younger players.
>
> Gonzalez originally signed with the Rangers in 1986 when he was just 16
> years old, made his major league debut three years later and became an
> everyday player in 1991. He was the AL MVP in 1996 and 1998 and then was
> traded to Detroit in a nine-player deal in November 1999.
>
> During his one season with the Tigers, he rejected a trade to the New York
> Yankees, and then went to Cleveland as a free agent for one year before
> returning to Texas.

whatever. the expos could do better...