"Alex Rodriguez was willing to give up a lot of money" - Cubs president claims Yankees legend almost signed with Red Sox in 2004

In an alternate universe, New York Yankee legend Alex Rodriguez could have become a Boston Red Sox icon. It is well known that A-Rod tried to force a move away from the Texas Rangers after the 2003 season, during which he won American League MVP honors.

Former Boston executive and present-day Chicago Cubs president Jed Hoyer shed light on the incident that transpired during the 2003-2004 offseason when Rodriguez almost found himself in Beantown. On Tuesday's episode of "SiriusXM," he said:

""I've always really thought highly of how much he wanted to be a Red Sox. Alex Rodriguez was willing to give up a lot of money." (0:47-0:48)

Hoyer added that A-Rod was determined to leave because he wanted to play on a team with a winning culture. Since Rodriguez's transfer to the Rangers in 2001, Texas had finished fourth in the AL West in each of his three seasons, tallying records of 73-89, 72-90 and 71-91, and languishing in the division's basement.

"He wanted to win. I think he was kind of tortured by being in Texas and not being able to win." (0:49-0:54)

But Alex Rodriguez's move to Boston fell through, hindered by the MLB Players Association. In the proposed deal, the Red Sox would send star Manny Ramirez, Jon Lester and cash considerations to Texas for A-Rod. The Rangers had already agreed to the deal before it was vetoed by the MLBPA due to Rodriguez's voluntary salary reduction.

"We thought it was going to work and we spend days on it. We then went to the union and it obviously all fell apart. ... It was a fascinating couple of days." (0:55-1:02)

Alex Rodriguez made his way to Boston's rivals

After Alex Rodriguez's failed move to Boston, its arch-rival New York Yankees were quick to pounce on the opportunity to sign the reigning MVP.

Unlike the Red Sox, who had to mutually agree to reduce A-Rod's 10-year, $252 million contract to avoid paying the luxury tax, the Yankees had some wiggle room to work with.

Rodriguez ultimately ended up in the Big Apple, with the Yankees sending Alfonso Soriano and Joaquin Arias to the Rangers. The reigning AL MVP was obliged to switch positions from shortstop, his natural role, to third base, as Yankee stalwart Derek Jeter already manned the position.

Although polarizing during his Yankee career, Rodriguez won two more AL MVP awards and a World Series title at the Bronx.