The Yankees acquired Rodriguez from the Texas Rangers during the 2003-04 offseason.

Jeter has never been considered a top defender, despite his sparkling reputation, and he was on a downward spiral in the years before the Yankees acquired Rodriguez.

If the Red Sox had acquired Rodriguez, he would have taken over the shortstop spot that Garciaparra manned in Boston since 1997.

The Mets would consider moving Reyes to second base only if they had a chance to acquire Rodriguez.

The Rangers had acquired Rodriguez, the best all-around shortstop in baseball.

The relationship was bound to be scrutinized after the Yankees acquired Rodriguez from Texas in a February trade, shifting him to third base so Jeter could stay at short.

The opponent may have something to do with that: it is the Yankees' first meeting with the Boston Red Sox, who came close to acquiring Rodriguez last December.

Torre would not acknowledge that the Yankees trumped the Red Sox in the off-season by acquiring Rodriguez.

He's constantly tinkering where he thinks we need help here, need help there," adding that the Yankees "didn't raise our payroll at all" in acquiring Rodriguez.

They are the same fans who spent last off-season hoping and praying that the Red Sox would acquire Rodriguez from the Texas Rangers.