MLB Rumors, MLB Trade Rumors

Let the Mark Teixeira Rumors Begin

Posted on December 17th, 2007 by McFleece

Mark Teixeira isn’t a free agent until next winter.  But that doesn’t mean we can’t start rumor mongering about him now, does it?

Braves MLB.com beat writer Mark Bowman doesn’t think it’s too early.   Bowman leads off his mailbag with some good Teixeira dialogue.  Bowman reminds  us that the Braves will not be able to extend Teixeira’s contract prior to next winter because of Tex’s agent - none other than Captain Fleece, Scott Boras.  Boras almost never advises his high profile candidates to negotiate before free agency as he would rather see his clients build up a market in free agency and fleece the pants off some general manager. 

Next winter, Teixeira, 27, will probably be the most attractive free agent, even if the club options for Manny Ramirez and Vladamir Guerrero are declined.  The switch hitting 1st baseman is a .286/.371/.539 hitter with 170 homeruns in 5 seasons and plays superb defense.

Bowman speculates Teixeira could command 7 years and $140M.  The Yankees and Orioles (Teixeira’s hometown team) are expected to be the favorites for Teixeira.  But don’t worry Braves fans.  Bowman writes, “the Braves will have the financial means to at least compete for Teixeira.”  He cites the expiration of the Mike Hampton and Tom Glavine deals, which will clear about $17M off the books.   Personally, I’m not sure the Braves will go that high.

Filed under: Atlanta Braves, Baltimore Orioles, New York Yankees

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12 Responses to “Let the Mark Teixeira Rumors Begin”

  1. ryan c, on December 17th, 2007 at 5:12 pm Said:

    braves just inked javy lopez to a minor league deal. this was a good move for the braves considering he would have only taken a backup role to one team.

    http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071217&content_id=2328686&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl

  2. McFleece, on December 17th, 2007 at 5:26 pm Said:

    I don’t know, Ryan. He’s finished, don’t you think?

  3. Mark, on December 17th, 2007 at 5:45 pm Said:

    Don’t forget the Mets here. If Delgado doesn’t put up suberb numbers, they’ll almost certainly decline his option and be in the Tex mix. Whether its Omar keeping his job after a successful 2008 season or a new GM looking to make a big splash, unless a big name SP hits the market like Sabathia or Santana, Tex will be the most likely target for the Mets to add a big name player to their roster for the Citifield opening. Of course, the Yankees have basically the same incentive given their lack of 1B production and new stadium opening up as well.

    Adam Dunn will probably be the contigency prize for a club that misses out on Tex.

  4. Bob W, on December 17th, 2007 at 6:17 pm Said:

    If I’m Tex I look at what happened to another Boras client who sucked last year and didn’t get nearly what he would otherwise have been worth - Jones. If I can get $17 - $20 per over 5 years or so right now from either the Braves or thru a trade like Johan, I’d have to think about it, unless I’m juicing and know I’m in for a big year.

  5. McFleece, on December 17th, 2007 at 6:21 pm Said:

    Yea, but even Andruw got 2 years, $36M. All he has to do is prove last year was a fluke, and he’ll probably get at least 5 years, $90M when he hits the market again.

  6. Mark, on December 17th, 2007 at 7:56 pm Said:

    Yeah Andruw’s not in bad shape at all with that deal in my opinion. He gets $18 mil per season for two years. If he keeps his RBI production and gets his OBP back up anywhere close to his career pace he’ll wind up making at least an average of $16 million per year over the next 5-8 years. I think it would take a couple really strong seasons to convince someone to continue paying him $18 million a year, especially over five years, basically taking him to age 37. But its certainly not impossible.

  7. ryan c, on December 17th, 2007 at 9:13 pm Said:

    i think javy’s “veteran leadership” that bobby trusts in so much (see brian jordan, todd pratt, mike remlinger, and any other washed up buffoons that bobby gave 2nd chances), and the fact that he caught 3 of the 5 starters previously (if you count hampton as a potential starter which is probably stupid of me). in bobby’s eyes, familiarity weighs boatloads.

  8. ryan c, on December 17th, 2007 at 9:15 pm Said:

    i didn’t really finish my thought after the 2nd (). sorry for the double post. stupid no “preview” button.

    i think javy’s “veteran leadership” that bobby trusts in so much (see brian jordan, todd pratt, mike remlinger, and any other washed up buffoons that bobby gave 2nd chances), and the fact that he caught 3 of the 5 starters previously (if you count hampton as a potential starter which is probably stupid of me) will land him the backup role. in bobby’s eyes, familiarity weighs boatloads

  9. Mark Teixeira Avoids Arbitration | MLB Fleece Factor, on January 17th, 2008 at 10:48 pm Said:

    […] month, the Fleece Factor let the Mark Teixiera rumors begin based on a piece by MLB.com’s Mark Bowman, who suggested Teixeira may be in line for 7 years […]

  10. The 2008 Atlanta Braves: The Party Crashers? | MLB Fleece Factor, on March 2nd, 2008 at 9:28 pm Said:

    […] Mark Teixeira (S) - Teixeira is a pending free agent, and fleece factor previously began speculatingwhat could go down next off-season. So aside from the fact that Teixeira is gross, he’s also a […]

  11. Heyman Takes Stock of Mark Teixeira | MLB Fleece Factor, on May 7th, 2008 at 9:25 pm Said:

    […] any event, and as we eluded to when we kicked off the Mark Teixeira rumors in December, it sounds like the switch hitting 1st baseman is ready to completely fleece someone […]

  12. Andrew Marks, on May 19th, 2008 at 8:40 am Said:

    With my campaign Mark Teixeira will realize he is home in Atlanta! Go Braves!!! KeepTeixeira.com

    Andrew Marks

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