Mark Teixeira

[Evil Bastard (aka Chris_L)]

Who do you think ends up signing Teixeira? I think the Angels and I have my reasons.

 

[Evil Bastard (aka Chris_L)]

Did Moddy manage to vote twice?

 

[casty33]

I really don't know, Chris, but I'd like it to be the Angels. One thing I'm tired of is the information crawl across the bottom on ESPN saying that Teixeira is close to a decision. They've been running that for 48 hours. I don't want to see it anymore until they can tell me where he's going.

 

[Fenian_Bastard]

I think CL is dead on the money here.
That shot across the bow from John Henry today about not signing a 10-year deal with anyone changed my mind. Powder's rarely that definitive about anything.

 

[Evil Bastard (aka Chris_L)]

The reasons behind my thinking:

- Teixeira was huge for the Angels after being traded for. In 54 games he hit a blistering .358 with an OPS of 1.081. He also hit .379 with a 1.130 OPS in 30 home games for the Angels. He clearly was comfortable hitting for the Angels.

- If the Angels fail to sign Teixeira then that means that they traded Casey Kotchman and prospect Stephen Marek for just 54 games of Teixeira. The Angels have added incentive to make sure they didn't lose Kotchman for just a rental.

- In his career Teixeira has played 19 games at Fenway Park and he has hit an anemic .194 with a lousy .637 OPS in those games. I know that screams out "SMALL SAMPLE SIZE" but you have to think that psychologically Teixeira does not have fond memories of hitting at Fenway like he does at Angels Stadium.

- The Red Sox have made it clear that they will not go to a 10-year commitment for Teixeira. What they have in effect done is tell other teams, "Hey if you want to knock us out of the running - just go the extra two years on the deal." The Red Sox don't normally comment during a negotiation unless they have a reason. Here the reason seems to be that the Red Sox are not as serious about signing Teixeira as is being made out. If the Red Sox were truly serious there would be no comment from anyone until the deal was done.

What this points to in my mind is the Angels getting Mark Teixeira signed to a mega deal that will probably be 8-years in length with 2 option years.

 

[bostonbred]

As a fan I hope he chooses the Red Sox.

I think it'll be the Angels.

 

[hockeybeat]

I think he ends up in Baltimore. Angelos needs a draw and Teixeira is a local kid made good.

 

[Beaker]

I think CL is dead on the money here.
That shot across the bow from John Henry today about not signing a 10-year deal with anyone changed my mind. Powder's rarely that definitive about anything.

Yep. The Angels it is, methinks.

 

[Beaker]

I think he ends up in Baltimore. Angelos needs a draw and Teixeira is a local kid made good.

That's definitely true, but I've read that the O's aren't upping their initial offer, so Tex would have to take less to sign there.

 

[cranberry]

Does it make sense for the Red Sox to even be involved in the bidding if they're not serious when, not too far down the road, they're going to have to work down from Tex's number to sign Youkilis? That's the part I don't get.

 

[Guy_Incognito]

I hope Yanks, I think Sox.

 

[GB-Hack]

The only thing I think about this is the contract he ends up signing is going to be disproportionally large to the talent he possesses.

He's a very talented player, but not as talented as the contract numbers that are being thrown out there for him.

 

[wicked]

Remember that the Angels can turn to Manny if they don't get Tex. Moreno would outspend McCourt in that case.

Stakes are higher for the Sox, but honestly, I don't mind the lineup they have now. I really think Bay can be a 40-homer guy, given the right protection. Ortiz and Lowell do concern me with their injuries, but it could be far worse....younger guys like Pedroia and Youk will improve incrementally, barring injury, this season.

Nats remain the favorite on the outside, exactly for the reasons hockeybeat mentioned, and I'd argue that they need the draw more than the Orioles.

The only thing I think about this is the contract he ends up signing is going to be disproportionally large to the talent he possesses.

He's a very talented player, but not as talented as the contract numbers that are being thrown out there for him.

This also is correct. People also said this about Manny ... in 2000.

 

[mike311gd]

Remember that the Angels can turn to Manny if they don't get Tex. Moreno would outspend McCourt in that case.

Stakes are higher for the Sox, but honestly, I don't mind the lineup they have now. I really think Bay can be a 40-homer guy, given the right protection. Ortiz and Lowell do concern me with their injuries, but it could be far worse.

Nats remain the favorite on the outside, exactly for the reasons hockeybeat mentioned, and I'd argue that they need the draw more than the Orioles.

The only thing I think about this is the contract he ends up signing is going to be disproportionally large to the talent he possesses.

He's a very talented player, but not as talented as the contract numbers that are being thrown out there for him.

This also is correct. People also said this about Manny ... in 2000.

But who wants to win more?

 

[Guy_Incognito]

The only thing I think about this is the contract he ends up signing is going to be disproportionally large to the talent he possesses.

He's a very talented player, but not as talented as the contract numbers that are being thrown out there for him.

That's what happens with FAs. Way of the world.

 

[wicked]

But who wants to win more?

I'd say Tex, in a heartbeat, which is why he'd be a better fit for the Angels than Manny.

 

[GB-Hack]

The only thing I think about this is the contract he ends up signing is going to be disproportionally large to the talent he possesses.

He's a very talented player, but not as talented as the contract numbers that are being thrown out there for him.

That's what happens with FAs. Way of the world.

Sure, but doesn't there come a point where the $20 million a year you're going to spend on one guy would be better served, especially for the Nats and O's, on player development, or getting three, four or even five guys for the same money to fill holes that need filling on the roster?

 

[GB-Hack]

But who wants to win more?

I'd say Tex, in a heartbeat, which is why he'd be a better fit for the Angels than Manny.

They're both represented by Scott Boras, so they're both more interested in getting paid.

 

[wicked]

Of course.

All things equal once they're signed, I'm putting my chips with Teixeira, and it's not just because of age. Odds are he won't come up with phony knee injuries.

 

[mike311gd]

But who wants to win more?

I'd say Tex, in a heartbeat, which is why he'd be a better fit for the Angels than Manny.

I meant the Nationals or Orioles. But I've got a feeling a Teixeira signing wouldn't necessarily be about winning, which is sad -- especially for Baltimore. That city, and that franchise, needs a winning baseball team. It's been starved for far too long.