No where is it written that Lowell has to be moved ahead of time. Theo will deal with it at the proper time and not a moment too soon. Lowell will have nothing to do with whether or not Teixeira accepts the offer Theo makes.

I think we’ve got a clearer shot.
———————-
Except that the Red Sox would still have to move Lowell (and his contract) in order to clear 1B for Teixeira. So it’s not like the Red Sox can swoop in on Teixeira without at least considering how to address Lowell’s likely redundancy at that point.

Something else to consider, too – it may be so that Cashman kept saying Bubba Crosby is our CF, but carrying Bubba Crosby has no cost. Twenty two million to Swisher to be a bench player is a lot of moolah, even for the Yanks.
——-
Still, at the least it’s a hedge against Matsui & Damon & Nady & Tex

Last year it was Morgan Ensberg who was playing first, along with Giambi. And wasn’t Shelley Duncan supposed to play some first too?
——
They were backups, the primary 1b was always Giambi.

I do think Papi has another big year in him, but I’m talking about long-term replacement for Manny. Teix is definitely it, as far as I am concerned. As for the Yanks, it will be interesting to see who Cashman moves if he ends up going hard for Teix too. Damon, Nady, possibly Matsui?

the Yankees are essentially a team in decline.
————————–

I meant offensively, players are getting older.

But with Manny gone and Papi possibly on the decline, the Sox need to lock up a big bat pretty badly.
——————————–

I’m not so sure. IF Papi is actually declining, you are right. But if he has a bounce back year next year, he and A-Rod are almost equals. And, as much as I hate to admit it, Youkilis is probably the 3rd best hitter between the two teams. If Drew can be anywhere near what he was through the first half of last year, the Red Sox have some big sticks. The Yankees can hope for bounce back years, but except for Cano, A-Rod, now Swisher (and maybe Nady), the Yankees are essentially a team in decline. They need new, good, young talent on offense. Teixeira is a great fit.

Something else to consider, too – it may be so that Cashman kept saying Bubba Crosby is our CF, but carrying Bubba Crosby has no cost. Twenty two million to Swisher to be a bench player is a lot of moolah, even for the Yanks. I do think that the Yankees regard 1B as settled now – as Abraham posted, three years of Swisher makes sense because he’s gone when Posada or Jeter is ready to take over. Seven years of Teixeira fills up a spot that is going to be needed sooner.

And the fact is that the Yankees need Teixeira less than the Sox do. They may fairly assume that with bounce back years from a couple of hitters, they are just a couple of stud pitchers away from being very competitive. So they are planning to break the big bank for C.C., and maybe the smaller bank for Burnett or Lowe. And last but not least, they may still actually have a budget, and don’t want to sign two players for close to $300 million dollars.

But with Manny gone and Papi possibly on the decline, the Sox need to lock up a big bat pretty badly.

Now so long as the Angels live up to their threats and bow out of Teixeira if he doesn’t accept an offer quick, I think we’ve got a clearer shot.

I hate this trade if it means we’re not getting Teixeira. Just hate it. Last year it was Morgan Ensberg who was playing first, along with Giambi. And wasn’t Shelley Duncan supposed to play some first too? Why can’t we get someone who doesn’t play the outfield or serve as a utility infielder? A dedicated first baseman. Like Tino. Like Mattingly. Come on, Cashman.

Well, I love this trade if he ends up at 1B. If Teix moves him to CF, well, is there anything that says he’s anything other than a barely average CF? If his OBP goes back up, he’s a help, and as lefty with some pop, the dimensions of the new stadium will be a help. But he’s always stunk for BA.

If Swisher is pushed to the bench as a part-time OF/PH because Teix signs is he a happy camper for the next three years?