Arlington, Texas ? Alex Rodriguez was ready to go to Boston, and the Texas Rangers were doing their part to make it happen. But after nearly two months of discussions, the American League MVP is staying in Texas.

Attempts to complete a trade of baseball’s only $20 million-a-year players — Rodriguez to Boston for outfielder Manny Ramirez — ended Tuesday after Rangers owner Tom Hicks’ deadline passed without a deal.

“We both recognized there was too big a gulf to bridge,” Hicks said. “Neither one of us thought it would take the public profile it did or get as complex as it did.”

Hicks spoke with Red Sox owner John Henry twice Tuesday before the 4 p.m. deadline. It was their first conversation in four days. But instead of last-minute negotiations, the owners ended the talks that began right after the World Series ended.

The end of the deal really came last week after the players’ association rejected a proposal by the Red Sox to cut $28 million to $30 million off A-Rod’s record $252 million contract.

Henry, Red Sox chairman Tom Werner, president Larry Lucchino and general manager Theo Epstein issued a joint statement Tuesday saying “no further discussions regarding this transaction are planned.”

Rodriguez’s agent also agreed that the talks finally were over.

“Tom Hicks has indicated he would not consider a trade for Alex Rodriguez in the immediate future,” said the shortstop’s agent, Scott Boras.

Hicks spoke several times Tuesday to Rodriguez and said the shortstop was “happy” to remain with the Rangers.

Texas shortstop Alex Rodriguez makes a play last season. The Rangers and Red Sox have stopped discussions involving a trade to send the AL MVP to Boston for Manny Ramirez.

“I’m 100-percent certain that when the Rangers show up for spring training in Surprise, Ariz., the guy that will be working the hardest and the guy that will be our team leader will be Alex Rodriguez,” Hicks said.

Lucchino proclaimed the trade “dead” Thursday, blaming the players’ association for not approving a steeper proposed reduction in Rodriguez’s contract. Hicks also blamed the union, but didn’t give up on the deal until Tuesday.

Following three last-place finishes in Texas, Rodriguez was interested in playing for a winner. If he still somehow ends up in Boston, the Red Sox presumably would then trade longtime shortstop Nomar Garciaparra, possibly to the Chicago White Sox.

Nov. 17, the day he won his AL MVP award, Rodriguez confirmed the Rangers had talked to him about a possible trade. His contract includes a no-trade clause.

Rodriguez and Ramirez signed their big contracts on the same day, three years ago during the winter meetings