No matter how many moves the New York Yankees make in an off-season, George Steinbrenner’s wallet just doesn’t seem to have a limit.

The Texas Rangers and the Yankees completed a blockbuster trade mid-day Saturday that will send the American League’s Most Valuable Player, shortstop Alex Rodriguez, to New York for second-baseman Alfonso Soriano and the ever famous minor league player to be named later.

This trade silenced may disgruntled Yankee fans who had become distrubed at New York’s inability to sign key players and keep pace with Boston.

Steinbrenner admitted on Tuesday that this was probably the most significant trade and free agent signing he has ever pulled off.

This deal was so huge that even the President decided to weigh in on the matter:

“It looks like a big deal, and it looks like it’s going to happen,” President Bush said on Sunday. “A-Rod’s a great player, and the Yanks are going to be a heck of a team with him in the infield.”

Bush owned the Rangers from 1989 to 1994, but was no longer involved with the team when Rodriguez was originally signed.

This seems to be the decisive blow Steinbrenner hoped to land after a winter characterized by the Cold War type free agency battle between the Yankees and the Boston Red Sox.

In mid-December, the Red Sox and Rangers were deep in talks about a deal involving A-Rod and outfielder Manny Ramirez, the two highest paid players in the league.

The Red Sox and Rangers had actually reached a tentative agreement, but the deal failed to gain approval from the MLB Player’s Association.

“We had every opportunity to get him—a number of times—but we didn’t,” said Boston pitcher Derek Lowe. “And it’s even more upsetting to know that he was willing to switch positions and we could have kept Nomar too.”

Derek Jeter, New York’s captain, is expected to remain in his current role as the Yankees’ starting shortstop. Rodriguez has said that he will move to third base, and will probably replace Aaron Boone, who was injuried in a pick-up basketball game early in the week.

After this trade, the Yankees payroll, already the highest in all of professional sports, will reach upwards of $190 million this season, even with the Rangers paying $67 million of Rodriguez’s record high $252 million contract over the next seven years.

Reactions came from players and officials from Texas, New York, Boston, and all around Major League Baseball.

The Red Sox nation’s sentiment was echoed by avid Sox fan Ben Affleck. “Eventually, they might be able to just buy everybody,” Affleck said. “Why not?”

Toronto Blue Jays General Manager J.P. Ricciardi knows his team has an uphill struggle in the AL East this season:

“From our point of view, it doesn’t change much. We thought it would be Boston and New York that we had to find a way to beat them. And that’s still the same climb for us.”

Sunday, the trade was approved by the MLB Player’s Association, and Monday it got the final stamp of approval from Bud Selig, the commissioner of baseball.

One thing is for sure. This trade will make an immediate impact on both teams for the upcoming 2004 season. The Yankees will have a more potent lineup, and the extra run support might come in handy due to the loss of star pitchers Andy Pettite, Roger Clemens, and David Wells.

For the Rangers, this deal will free up an enormous amount of money, with Texas GM John Hart stating that “it’s about flexibility.” They receive a two time all-star in Soriano, and now have the opportunity to put some funds into their crumbling pitching staff.

For New Yorkers, on a cold Valentine’s Day afternoon, it was love at first sight.