It seems that every day a new bidder for Mark Teixeira comes along. And it's not just the big market teams that you would expect. Most recently, it was the lowly Washington Nationals expressing interest in the free agent first baseman.
In fact, depending on who you choose to believe, there are as many as eight serious bidders for the services of Tex. Yep, starting pitchers excluded, he is certainly the free agent most in demand.
In many ways, Tex is the perfect signing for most teams. He hits for average, hits for power, and plays defense as well as anyone at the position. He keeps a low profile, is a good clubhouse presence (though not necessarily a leader), and looks the part and says all the right things.
Oh, and did I mention his agent is Scott Boras?
Tex is coming off a season where he he batted .358 with 13 home runs and 43 RBIs after being acquired from Atlanta in late July. His overall numbers in 2008 were .308, 33 and 121.
The Angels want him back and have made it a priority. One recent rumor has it that they will make an offer in the eight-year, $160 million dollar range very shortly. Another team who is said to be lusting after Tex are the Boston Red Sox.
- B/R Ticket Guide
With bidding expected to settle around the $20 million dollar per year mark, it's not impossible that a ten-year, $200 million dollar offer could be coming his way. He is, after all, just 28.
Teixeira is an East coast guy but it's doubtful that he would take a discount to play with home teams such as the Baltimore Orioles or Washington Nationals. Scott Boras, as we all know, doesn't believe in discounts.
In fact, Boras is believed to be using the $153-million, eight-year contract the Detroit Tigers gave Miguel Cabrera last March as a baseline.
The Yankees, meanwhile, are surprisingly keeping a relatively low profile regarding Tex. Their recent acquisition of Nick Swisher from the White Sox isn't expected to keep them from making an offer to Tex. With money to burn, the Yankees are thought to be big players in this year's free agent market. And let's face it, if they want someone badly enough, there really aren't any other teams that could compete with the Evil Empire.
If Boston were to acquire Tex, they would likely need to move Mike Lowell, assuming that Lowell is physically ready to play next Spring. That way, they would have Tex play first base and Youkilis play third base.
Teixeira is a career .290 / .378 / .541 hitter. A switch hitter, he has legitimate power from both sides of the plate. And plenty of interest from many teams.
It's anybody's guess as to when Mark will sign, but he did say recently that he hoped to know where he will play next year by Christmas morning.
So let the bidding begin, and may the team with the biggest pockets win. Come to think of it, no matter which deal he picks, he won't be shopping at any K-Mart blue light specials.
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about 1 month ago
While it seems obsurd to give anyone a ten year deal for $200 million, lo and behold this is where baseball has come. Personally, if the Red Sox push hard for Texeira, which I think they will, I would rather see them pay a little more per year, with a couple of less years, say 8 years for $175 million. While there may be eight teams legitimately bidding for him, few offer the almost guarantee of being able to make the playoffs year in and year out like the Red Sox......and Yankees do. I would expect that to factor in his decision.
from about 1 month ago
I think you're right but in the end, Tex seems like the kind of guy who will chase every last dollar. Which, again, favora the Sox and Yankees. I agree that with these crazy contracts, I'd always go for a shorter term w/more money than the longer deal because the longer the contract the more likely something bad (poor performance or injury) will happen. At 28, tho, he does seem to be a good gamble.
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