Source: Red Sox getting closer to Teixeira deal

[UNHWildCats]

The Red Sox are making progress in their quest to sign free-agent first baseman Mark Teixeira, according to a major-league source.


"Headway was being made earlier today," one source said.


A rival general manager whose plans could be affected by the Red Sox's addition of Teixeira also indicated that a deal was getting closer.

Teixeira is the Red Sox's No. 1 offseason target. They view him as the perfect fit for the middle of their order.

Teixeira is seeking a 10-year contract for at least $20 million per season. The Red Sox preference would be to sign him to a deal between six and eight years.

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/8926070/Source:-Red-Sox-getting-closer-to-Teixeira-deal?CMP=OTC-K9B140813162&ATT=49

[CrackerRiley]

10-year contract?! I'd say enjoy Anaheim if you want freakin' 10 years. (The Angels are the other team interested in him, right?)

[UNHWildCats]

10-year contract?! I'd say enjoy Anaheim if you want freakin' 10 years. (The Angels are the other team interested in him, right?)
dunno, he apparently has said he wants to play on the east coast.

Washington has reportedly offered $160 million over 8 years and Baltimore $140-150 million over 7 years.

Also I dont think Boston has concerns with giving a 10 year deal to a 28 year old.

A-Rod is heading into his 9th season since he signed his 10 year deal with Texas, and while that deal has since been opted out of, A-Rod is still a feared hitter (short of clutch situations and playoffs :p but he wasn't ever clutch anyway).

Manny Ramirez next season will be in his 9th season since he signed that 8 year deal with Boston, and he too is still one of the most feared hitters in baseball (and about 1,000 times more clutch then A-Rod).

It's safer to offer such a deal to hitters as opposed to pitchers.

[CrackerRiley]

It's safer to offer such a deal to hitters as opposed to pitchers.

Good point. Agreed. I would question a 7-year deal for Sabathia more than a 10-year deal for a great hitter. I just find Teixeira a bit overrated.

[andy7171]

10-year contract?! I'd say enjoy Anaheim if you want freakin' 10 years. (The Angels are the other team interested in him, right?)

Boston, Anaheim, Baltimore and DC are in the final running.

The O's have 7 years $150M on the table.

He's from Severna Park, which is a couple miles to the south of Camden Yards.

[appfan2008]

Good point. Agreed. I would question a 7-year deal for Sabathia more than a 10-year deal for a great hitter. I just find Teixeira a bit overrated.

I completely agree... while Tex is good... he aint THAT good... he aint AROD MANNY good...

[GolfingGriz]

Boston, Anaheim, Baltimore and DC are in the final running.

The O's have 7 years $150M on the table.

He's from Severna Park, which is a couple miles to the south of Camden Yards.

Last night on SportsCenter they said the Orioles were offering 160M over 8 years, while the Nats had 151M over 7 years.

Were these numbers wrong, or did I just not listen well enough.

[chantster]

Latest on Teixeira:

Nationals - Top offer of 8 year 160 million.

Orioles - Still in the hunt, but needs alot of help in other areas.

Red Sox - Still in the hunt. Aggressive pursuit.

Angels - Reluctant, but still in. Noncommital on how high they will go.

Yankees - Might jump in just to keep him out of Boston.


Wouldn't mind seeing Tex in Boston, but I don't think he is worth the price. Red Sox would have to juggle lineup. Very happy with starting infield with Lowell coming back, and Youk on first.

Yankees don't have a pressing need after signing Nick Swisher from the ChiSox. Yanks just don't want Tex playing for Boston.

[UNHWildCats]

Latest on Teixeira:

Nationals - Top offer of 8 year 160 million.

Orioles - Still in the hunt, but needs alot of help in other areas.

Red Sox - Still in the hunt. Aggressive pursuit.

Angels - Reluctant, but still in. Noncommital on how high they will go.

Yankees - Might jump in just to keep him out of Boston.


Wouldn't mind seeing Tex in Boston, but I don't think he is worth the price. Red Sox would have to juggle lineup. Very happy with starting infield with Lowell coming back, and Youk on first.

Yankees don't have a pressing need after signing Nick Swisher from the ChiSox. Yanks just don't want Tex playing for Boston.

If they sign Teixeira they can go two routes. Trade Lowell and have a lineup of the following...

Ellsbury
Pedroia
Teixeira
Youkilis
Ortiz
Bay
Drew
Lowrie
Catcher

They can keep Lowell and use him, Youk and Ortiz between DH and 3B, basically give each of them every third day off, which wouldnt be so bad considering age is catching upto Lowell and Ortiz and Youk generally slumps late in the season when he's likely tiring out.

Going this second route can also give the Sox a solid 1B/Corner OF backup in Youkilis instead of using the spot for a lesser player.

In this scenerio the roster would look different depending on who plays.

When Lowell plays, Bay would move up to cleanup and Lowell would slot in 6th. When Lowell and Youk both play they can move Drew up if they wanted to keep the L R L R L R run in the lineup.

I would love them to sign Teix and keep Lowell cause I think that gives us our strongest possible roster.

[andy7171]

Here's what I fear is going to happen. Boras is going to play the O's vs Sox back and forth and then announce the Yankees win with 10 years $200M.

It's so blatantly obvious.