Mark Teixeira Beantown Bound?
Today, Jon Heyman speculates on Mark Teixeira’s next stop after Texas. I know that many Yankees fans want to see Teixeira at first in the Bronx. And, I know that many reports see him going to the O’s as a Free Agent. Heyman adds to Red Sox to the mix today.
Here’s something to add: Someone I know spoke to someone who had a chance to meet Teixeira’s wife. And, as the story was passed to me, Mrs. Teixeira reportedly shared that their family was looking at houses in Chicago and Boston.
I found this interesting – because both Chicago teams are covered at first base. So, either something was lost in translation…or, maybe Teixeira is willing to switch positions. (He’s played some third and the outfield in the past.)
But, the Boston thing would make sense…as the Sox could just move Kevin Youkilis to third and let Mike Lowell take a walk. And, since Heyman mentions Boston’s interest as well, maybe Teixeira does end up in Beantown?
Is this bad news for Yankees fans? Well, look at it this way: If the Sox got Teixeira, that would limit their interest in A-Rod (if Alex opts out of his contract). Sure, that still leaves the Mets and Angels out there – in terms of teams that may chase Rodriguez – but, taking Boston out of the equation ain’t the worst thing that can break New York’s way.
I think it’s more likely Teixeira signs with Baltimore or the Yankees unless Boston goes DefCon 4 and rolls the Dice-K on a contract for him (not as likely considering John Henry’s problems in his real business, financial investments). Baltimore because it’s his home, the Yankees because his favorite player was Donnie Baseball. And, frankly, Heyman’s pretty much a BS artist who’s never uttered a good word about the Yankees.
When did this conversation with the wife take place? Tex is either getting traded or is waiting for his free-agency exit, and in either case it seems a little extreme to already be looking for houses. Would Texas — this early — tell him where they were trading him? There’s going to be a bidding war for this guy, so I doubt the Rangers already have a deal in place. And I know tampering happens, but he won’t be a free agent until after the ’08 season. Seems to me a lot can change in that time. Would a team “guarantee” they’d be signing him in a few years (not knowing who could develop or fall into their laps)?
Tex reminds me a bit of A-Rod: he’s a Boras client who cares about money more than anything else. Since the Yankees are playing Cairo at first (which must stop, by the way) they will push hard to get Tex, even if it means giving up high-end pitching like Clippard and Whelan to do it. But if there is no trade, and he lasts till free agency, he’s going to the highest bidder — no doubt about it.
JohnnyC, excellent post.
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If Clippard is a “high-end” pitcher, what does that make Hughes, Kennedy, Chamberlain, etc. Clippard is a #4 starter, at best.
BTW — Joba Chamberlain has been promoted to AA Trenton after dominating in high A.
Don – You’d think with all those pitchers Cashman is setting himself up to get whichever established position player he’d like, given the depth of pitching in the minors. It might be a few more years before it all comes to fruition, but I understand the plan.
I think Teixera would be great in Baltimore, but I don’t think he’s fit to be in Boston or New York.
I must be missing something, so please fill me in.
What has Cairo done wrong? Why is everyone so down on the guy? He’s no A-Rod at the plate and no Mienkiewicz at the bag, but he batted .298 in ’04, plays hard, can play many positions, and is a great situational hitter. He’s providing better defense than Phelps and offense equivalent to Rico Bergman (that’s much easier).
Please tell me what I’m missing.
~~~When did this conversation with the wife take place? ~~~
Not sure. I want to say within the last 6-9 months.
I agree with you, dave24s. I didn’t want to touch the Cairo thing, and it’s not the first time I’ve heard the talk.
Bailey, this isn’t some jab at you so don’t take as such.
So what that he doesn’t hit like a first basemen, we can’t have everyone giving us great production out of each position. For whatever reason, whenever Cairo is in there something good happens and it hardly ever shows up in the stat book.
He’s a good team guy. The Yanks are doing well with him there. I’m rooting for the guy to get his base hits and the occasional extra base hit. The Yanks have enough guys to pick up the slack, he’s offers great contrast. He’s someone who can bunt over a guy on first, he can swing away and he doesn’t strikeout that much. He makes stuff happen, look at the Saturday game. He doesn’t need to slug 420 foot homeruns to be valuable.
A week ago, the thought of Cairo playing full time scared the hell out of me. Now, there is nobody on the team I’d rather see at first base. He’s very solid in the field, can run the bases, and doesn’t kill rallies with his bat. I know all of the Sabr guys love Giambi’s production, but this team is better off without him in the lineup. Giambi’s ability to get on base did not translate to actual runs, and carrying Giambi on the team means you need to also carry a defensive replacement and pinch runner. Way too much overhead.
Cairo’s not bad. He’s got really good defensive possibility, and he’s not an awful bat. The only thing that worries me is that he’s gotten used to being a bench player. Won’t this everyday play wear him out?
C’mon, guys, seriously. Cairo is not an everyday player. I’ve been impressed with his defense at first, but do you want to put a lifetime .267/.315/.359 hitter in your lineup (at any position)?
When the Yankees were considering Mark Loretta, people (including Steve) went nuts because he’s a punchless singles hitter. Loretta is a much better hitter than Cairo is.
I don’t care if the first baseman isn’t a slugger, but he has to be able to get on base. The only thing Cairo offers is a little speed.
I’ve never been a big Cairo fan, but I’m coming around to him a bit as a utility guy. He cannot be the long-term solution at first. Maybe Phelps isn’t either, but it can’t be Cairo.
I have to totally disagree with you, Garcia. I think Tex would be perfect for New York. A switch-hitting first baseman who fields his position well — and definitely someone who won’t melt under the pressure. Can’t you just see him hitting home run after home run over the short porch in left?
Don, Clippard and Kennedy are high-end pitching — they have the ceiling of three starters and are guaranteed to stick in the big leagues; Hughes and Chamerlain are untouchable — Hughes is better, but both have the chance of being ace starters in a few years.
Texas won’t get Hughes or Chamberlain, but they might get Kennedy, Clippard, Whelan and Britton.
I would really hate to see Britton go. Clippard I’d give up for Teixeira, but I’d really love to see Britton stay around.
Not that Cashman gives a crap what I’d give up, but that’s what blogs are for…
I’ve gotten so used to Teixeira and Baltimore that haven’t really heard anything else.
I really think the Mariners are going to be forced to move Ichiro — that he is very upset with the management and the team ethos and wants to play post season — things he knows are not going to change in Seattle.
Now there is someone that the yanks HAVE TO prevent going to Boston. Say what you want about Mike Lowell, he’s doing a serviceable job and center and leadoff is critical for the SAWKS, a flaw in their makeup that Ichiro would solve immediately. I’ve always felt Ichiro was a Yankee and it would be a great business move as well, which is why I think this might happen.
He’s 33 and ageless — a perfect fit for the team. Screams from the “another aging overpaid veteran” crowd. What do they know.
The other shoe in the free agent market is the Twinkies; when that drops and for how much — you can’t get everybody. Thank god we didn’t get Matsuzaka — wait till you see that meltdown in August-September. Hide the children, they’re burning Theo in effigy again…
bailey – it’s not that Tex can’t hit, he can do that quite well – though he does have some bad cold spells and really, really hot spells at the plate.
I just don’t think that he’s a balls-to-the-walls type of guy the Yanks need. He doesn’t look like a take charge guy. I think the Yankees have to start paying more attention to see if the players they are bringing in can and will be leaders on the team, and if they are team-first guys. A couple of weeks ago Tex was complaining that his manager wants him to see more pitches, especially when the team is down, and he was kind of bitching about that. I don’t remember the exact story, but my point is that I’d rather the Yankees look at a free agents psyche and see if he’ll fit right in with the current and future crop of Yankees.
Boston once pissed off Texeira’s father so badly that he vowed he would never see his son in a Boston uniform. Unless something has changed since Big Tex was a young prospect, he isn’t going anywhere near Fenway.
you guys know nothing about the texas rangers do you, texas isnt going to trade him for guys like clippard who have a low ceiling, he isnt going to be a salarycap dump like abreau was, you would actually have to give up something to get him. that deal would have to start with a young pitcher with a high ceiling, ex. hughes,sanchez,chamberlin. Boston would probably at least give up ellisbury or moss and lester to get him.