Just wanted to do a final recap of our information regarding our Mark Teixeira story. Here are the links
In a nutshell, we had it from the start, December 10th, that the Washington nationals had the highest bid and barring a swooping in, he would have been a Washington National. Have fun reading.
Due to the Mark Teixeira news today, there will be a live episode of the Vortex tonight. Internet only, Youcastr only, no commercials, no breaks. You can listen below, the festivities start at 9 PM est.
The call-in number is 603-397-3559
http://www.youcastr.com/casts/listen/1298
More Mark Teixeira news as we await word on something to happen. First Chico Harlan of the Washington Post states that the Nats are in a holding pattern until this is resolved (he speculates Monday), and seems to believe that the Nats still have the 8 year/160 mil offer on the table. Jerry Crasnick from ESPN.com tells the CMSB that the Red Sox may not be out of it, but admits that noone really knows for sure.
“It could be both posturing and finances. Some people assume, because of Teixeira’s personality and his reputation as the Boras “poster boy,” that he’s simply going to take the most money regardless of other factors. How much weight is he going to put on location, winning team, etc.? That’s a mystery right now.
I think the Red Sox are going to offer a deal they’re comfortable with, and they’re not going to waver out of desperation or panic. So right now we have an old-fashioned staredown between Boras and Boston.
These things tend to have a lot of twists and turns, so I wouldn’t take John Henry’s email to mean the Red Sox are definitively out of it. But it’s sure a lot more complicated than it appeared as of last night.”
Oh and just to remind you, our sources within the Nats organization maintain that they have the best offer on the table and maintain their “99%” confidence rate. Personally I hope for baseball’s sake that they are right. You can refresh your memory on that here.
Boston.com is reporting that John Henry sent an e-mail to several media members, and that they “have been outbid for Mark Teixeira and and will not be a factor in signing him”. The link is here.
Update: Sources close to the situation tell the CMSB that the Nationals have the high offer on the table and have since late last week. No word on what it is exactly, but with offers ranging from 8/160 and 8/184, it would be higher than that. In last week’s article, it was known that Teixeira’s family wants him with the Nats, and Boras was “blown away” that the Nats would be the high bidder, so he figured getting a higher offer from Boston was a “slam-dunk”. Thinking that the Nats offer could be a starting point, Boras re-shopped his client. He tried to get the Red Sox to match, but to no avail apparently (see link in first update). The Angels are not budging off of 8/160, and the Orioles are not going above 150 mil. Barring an unforeseen circumstance (ie another team jumping in) or a change of heart amongst one of the organizations, expect Mark Teixeira to sign with or agree to terms with the Washington Nationals within the next 24 hours. Much of this coincides with posts made by Yahoo’s Gordon Edes, and let’s face it, it fits like a glove doesn’t it? The team that is most desperate would be the one willing to go ten years, and if the BoSox and Angels are not, ladies and gentleman, it leaves the Nationals. The CMSB has reached out to other organizations involved for comment on the matter, updates when (or if) they come….
By the way Mr Boras, In case you visit the CMSB, if you want to tell us “way to go” or “Hey you’re full of crap”, feel free to contact us – editor-at-centralmainesportsblog.com or matty-at-centralmainesportsblog.com…or jeff-at-centralmainesportsblog.com……Thanks!
10:11 Update….I just saw the piece with Peter Gammons. He did NOT give a deadline and he only made the Red Sox and Nationals mention in passing referring to where Manny Ramirez was likely to end up. This does not negate our source who maintains “99% certain” Mark Teixeira will end up a National.
Look, for the last time it is pronounced….
Teixeira (Teh-Share-Ah)
not Tex-Haira, Not Tuh-Zarah, Not Texy-Ara it is…
Teixeira (Tuh-Share-Ah)
Oh and one more…
Sabathia (Suh-bath-ee-ah)
Not Sah-Bay-Thee-Ah
Sabathia (Suh-bath-ee-ah)
Make that Nationals Red in the picture above. Sources within the Nationals Organization tell the Central Maine Sports Blog that the Nationals are “99% certain they will land slugger Mark Teixeira. Teixeira has narrowed the field down to the Red Sox and Nationals, with Teixeira and his family favoring Washington, and Boras pushing for the Red Sox.”
The source went on to state that the Nationals had a conference call with the minor league officials today to make sure they could could take the draft pick hit (which I now assume was because they had someone targeted in the second round, perhaps, who knows really, but there was a call), which is only going to be a second rounder due to the fact a top 15 pick is protected in the first round. (This version corrects previous info that the Nats would lose two first round picks, which is not the case, thanks to Cork Gaines from Rays Index and one of our commenters below for that info)
Welcome to the top of the heap, Angels fans. Ken Rosenthal is reporting that Mark Teixeira is heading to Orange County for Casey Kotchman and Stephen Marek. This is a great move by the Angels, and I want to thank them for proving me wrong when I said earlier on this very blog that they wouldn’t pull the trigger. In the era of former GM Bill Stoneman, they never traded for anyone. They finally got some lineup protection for Vlad Guerrero, and if they lose Teixeira, oh well, they get two first round picks next year. For the Braves, they get a proven commodity in Kotchman to play first base, something they need, and he will be under their control for 3 years. Beers all around….
Updated 11:50 am- According to Gotham Baseball Magazine, one potential replacement for manny could be Pittsburgh’s Jason Bay. The Pirates would want minor league catcher George Kottaras in a package for Bay, the Red Sox would want Mets phenom Fernando Martinez. Yet another win, win, win (except for the Mets farm system, yeesh). Also, Bay would be under Red Sox control until after next year.
11:10 am-According to the Newark Star-Ledger, the Mets have contacted the Red Sox about disgruntled slugger Manny Ramirez, as it appears Omar Minaya wants him more than Mets management. I have no clue what the Mets could offer at this point(maybe Fernando Martinez), but Ramirez in a lineup with Wright and a red-hot Delgado couldn’t hurt. On the flip side, the Mets can also pick up his option for next season at 20 mil if they decide to keep him, so this would not have to be a rent-a-player philosophy. If the Red Sox do trade Man-Ram, I also wonder if that puts them back in the Teixeira race, and moves Kevin Youkilis to left field. If the Red Sox talk to Atlanta, and say figure out what the Braves might want from the Mets farm system, they could take the Manny haul and turn that into Teixeira. If Big Tex leaves at the end of the year, the Red Sox are compensated with 2 #1 picks in next years draft, and a farm system as deep as the Red Sox can afford that kind of turnover. If the Red Sox are serious about being done with Manny, and want to stop taking years off of Terry Francona’s life, they need to move this guy within the next 48 hours. Keep in mind though, if something changes withing the next couple of weeks, the Red Sox could conceivably trade Manny next month during the waiver-deadline, because I find it unlikely someone will claim him on waivers. Maybe Ted Thompson could trade Brett Favre for Manny?
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