Alex Rodriguez's contract with the Texas Rangers doubles as a 252,000,000-watt amplifier. When he says something interesting -- like last week, when he revealed his openness to being traded from the Rangers in a few years if they're still rebuilding -- it gets broadcast near and far, with three pundits for every news outlet chiming in with salty and sanctimonious response.

This certainly is no encouragement to say anything interesting again. But Rodriguez and I sat down Wednesday in New York to discuss his statements, his outlook in Texas and -- perhaps most interesting -- his predictions for the American League division races, and unvarnished reaction to Wednesday's Jeff Nelson-Armando Benitez trade.

	Alex Rodriguez might be the AL's best player, but most valuable?

Question: Most of your comments last week were innocuous, but you did say, "I want to see improvement, and I'm not happy." Could you elaborate on that?
Alex Rodriguez: I'm happy to be in Texas. I like what I see from our young players. They've exceeded our expectations. But at the same time I want to make sure that our ship keeps moving in the right direction and we don't just fall back and say, "Well, we're on a four- or five-year plan." I want us to strive for it every year.

Question: But you said, "I'm not happy." What were you not happy with?
Alex Rodriguez: Again, I'm going to preface it by saying I'm happy in Texas. But I'm not happy just saying it's gonna be a five- or six-year plan and we're gonna sit back and wait and not be proactive. I want to see us still go out and not necessarily be huge players on the free-agent market, but pick and choose our times when we can go out and build on this young core.

Question: When you signed before the 2001 season, where did you think this club would be the summer of 2003?
Alex Rodriguez: I thought we'd be a little bit further along. But I have to tip my cap to (owner) Tom Hicks for keeping his word. Tom Hicks made a commitment to me that he was going to compete and be active, and he's done all that. Everything he's said, he's backed up.

Question: Any reaction from manager Buck Showalter or GM John Hart?
Alex Rodriguez: Not really. I think they share the same frustration. We all want things to get better. And I think they will.

Question: Why do you think that?
Alex Rodriguez: It's been fun to watch Hank Blalock, Mark Teixeira and Michael Young develop the way they have. When I see young talent around me like that, it brings a level of excitement. I think I'm part of the formula. I'm part of the solution in Texas. It's something I'm willing to wait for.

Look, if I wanted to get traded, I'd do it in the background. I wouldn't do it out in the public. I was just speaking frankly. And the reporter from USA Today got my quotes right. It's the stuff after that that people are bending around.

Question: Your comments about considering a trade were the first time you've said them -- publicly, that is. Had you already said anything similar privately to Tom Hicks?
Alex Rodriguez: I don't know. That's a good question. I've had talks with him on a number of occasions. But again, I just want to make sure that we're moving forward. I think we will.

Question: A teammate of yours told me that a few weeks ago you got very vocal and animated in the clubhouse, trying to fire the team up during a losing stretch. What is your strategy for showing frustration around your teammates?
Alex Rodriguez: I don't talk about what I do behind closed doors. I have my ways of communicating with our own players. We all have to keep each other in check and make sure we tap each other in the butt.

Question: When you were becoming a free agent three years ago, you and I discussed the benefits of signing a five-year contract that would give you options to leave sooner rather than later. Are you reassessing that decision?
Alex Rodriguez: My contract is a 10-year deal, but it's really seven years. (Rodriguez can opt out of the 2008-2010 seasons.) So it's kind of a good medium. Ten is almost too long, but seven is good to evaluate and to keep moving forward.

	“	I'm happy to be in Texas. I like what I see from our young players. They've exceeded our expectations. But at the same time I want to make sure that our ship keeps moving in the right direction and we don't just fall back and say, 'Well, we're on a four- or five-year plan.' I want us to strive for it every year. ”
		— Alex Rodriguez

Question: OK, so in 2007 -- when you have the right to leave Texas if you want -- depending on baseball's economics at that point, you might find yourself with the option of forgoing $27 million salaries for 2008, '09 and '10 for, say, $20 or $22 million from someone else. Have you thought about that?
Alex Rodriguez: Sure. But we're still a long ways from there. All options will be considered.

Question: You've been hot at the plate since this little uproar began -- you're batting .444 with five homers and 11 RBIs in the last seven games. Is this a new strategy?
Alex Rodriguez: I guess, man. Whatever works, right? I'm feeling good. I'm back to what I consider almost 100 percent after some left-shoulder and neck issues. I hope I can build on this for the rest of the year.

Question: OK, let's talk about the games on the field and the deadline moves that were just made. The Red Sox acquired Scott Williamson, Jeff Suppan and Scott Sauerbeck. The Yankees got Aaron Boone, Jesse Orosco and Armando Benitez. Who made better deals?
Alex Rodriguez: I think Boston, because they needed the help in the bullpen, and the Yankees already had a great team. Boston really needed to make a move and they did. They solidified their bullpen and made their team more complete.

(Note: As luck would have it, at this moment Rodriguez's former Mariners teammate, Luis Sojo, now a Yankees coach, walks by. Sojo tells Rodriguez that the Yankees just reacquired reliever Jeff Nelson from Seattle for Benitez. Rodriguez's reaction: "What? You're kidding me. Oh my god. That's a great move for the Yankees. Incredible move. That gives them the championship. That puts them over the top. That's the best move of the trading deadline, no doubt about it. Hitting that slider (from Nelson) is no fun.")

Question: In your division, Oakland got Jose Guillen while Seattle stood pat, before just now. Who will win that division?
Alex Rodriguez: Seattle's got a very good ballclub. They have very good pitching. But with that dominant pitching Oakland has, they're always in for hot August streaks. They've done that the last few years. Oakland can be very scary down the stretch.

Question: Who will win the division?
Alex Rodriguez: I think Oakland's gonna find a way to get into the postseason, either through the division title or the wild card.

Question: How about Kansas City and Chicago in the AL Central?
Alex Rodriguez: With Roberto Alomar and (Scott) Schoeneweis, and with that young pitching, I think Chicago looks good.

Question: In your opinion, which is the best organization in baseball right now?
Alex Rodriguez: From a financial point of view, as a business, I would say the Mariners. Howard Lincoln is a great executive, and financially I think he runs a very sound business. From a baseball point of view, you'd have to say the New York Yankees. And I believe the Texas Rangers are on their way to being a future New York Yankees.

Alan Schwarz is the senior writer of Baseball America magazine and a regular contributor to ESPN.com.