The Red Sox have talked to the Braves about free-agent-to-be first baseman Mark Teixeira, and more...

The Red Sox have talked to the Braves about free-agent-to-be first baseman Mark Teixeira, and more conversations are likely to take place before the July 31 trading deadline, according to well-placed major league sources. ESPN's Peter Gammons was the first to report that the talks had taken place, and it is true that the Braves asked for first baseman Kevin Youkilis and Craig Hansen in return. Would the Sox make that deal? Not at the moment, but the message they left with the Braves was keep us in mind. The Braves, according to those sources, have their doubts that the Sox would move Youkilis, because of his ability to play both first and third and his defensive skills at both positions. And if David Ortiz proves he's healthy on his rehab assignment, the Sox may hold off on any pursuit of Teixeira until after the season, when he's a free agent. The other key factor: The Braves have yet to decide if they're going to trade Teixeira; if they're still within striking distance of first place in the NL East as the deadline nears, they may back off.

Comments

Ideally, I’d like Teix to retire in a Braves uniform. But if there’s absolutely no chance we can keep him…sure, I’ll take Youk and Hansen. At least it would be interesting to see if the “Yooooooouuuuuuuuuuk” cheer makes its way from Boston to Atlanta.

(And would he have to trim the goatee down a little?)

by Lauren T. on Jul 14, 2008 5:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I say go for it

Something that has always bothered me about Tex is that he won’t say he’d love to be a Brave and retire in Atlanta. Even though Andruw was clearly asking too much and on his way out, he at least said all the time that he wanted to be here. If Tex doesn’t want to be here, then goodbye, I say. Besides, that’s 2 good players to get in return, and we need ‘em. I think that would actually upgrade our chances of staying in the race.

by secondbass on Jul 14, 2008 5:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Craig Hansen? Good player?

I guess I should be one to talk.
There's nights that I can't even walk.
There's days I couldn't give a fuck.
And in between is where I'm stuck.

by Smoltz's Beard on Jul 14, 2008 5:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not yet, but....

Last season: 3-1, 3.86 ERA, 48K in 51 innings, 38BB
This (minors): 1-0, 1.62 ERA, 17K in 16 Innings and only 5BB. I’ll take that improvement, plus Youk for Tex.

by secondbass on Jul 14, 2008 5:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I just saw your post on the other thread over there...

All I have to go by is stats – haven’t seen him in action like you have, so you seem to have a better idea of the guy. Still, I think Youkilis plus somebody with potential is a pretty good deal.

by secondbass on Jul 14, 2008 5:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Craig Hansen was pretty highly touted a few years back. There was even some talk of him replacing Papelbon last year as the closer when Papelbon was moving into the rotation.

That kind of gives you an idea of how far the guy has fallen. I am with Smoltz’s Beard on this one. Hansen isnt much of an add.

I do remember however a rumor of a while back when Andruw was rumored to be dealt to boston, before he turned 10/5. The deal was Crisp, Lester, and the Braves wanted Hansen too but that was the deal breaker. Does anyone else remember that?

Lastly, I would trade 2 months of Teixeira for 2 more years of Youk. With or without Hansen. If he is the hold up then throw him out.

by gopherbroke on Jul 14, 2008 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hear you…but it’s obvious that his strength in the minors (not giving up the longball) is not working in the big leagues. He’s still allowing way too many guys to reach base, which has been a problem of his for quite some time now. And the stats show. 38 BB in 51 IP? That’d be 152 BB in 204 IP! That’s giving up walks at a higher rate than Barry Zito is this season! The ERA and win-loss record is just a mirage.

With that being said I would certainly take him as a throw in along with Youk, because Youk for Tex in itself is a win…but let’s not act like Hansen’s a bullpen ace, or that he even really has that type of potential. IMO.

I guess I should be one to talk.
There's nights that I can't even walk.
There's days I couldn't give a fuck.
And in between is where I'm stuck.

by Smoltz's Beard on Jul 15, 2008 8:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

“I wish to remain a blank for the rest of my career.”

Any time a Boras client says those words, they’re as good as gone. As far as I’m concerned, Teix not saying it is a good thing.

No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.

by royhobbs on Jul 14, 2008 5:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’ll bet Andruw still wishes he was a Brave. Andruw didn’t choose to leave; the Braves didn’t offer him a contract when he became a free agent. There’s a big difference there.

by Lauren T. on Jul 15, 2008 7:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

"I would trade 2 months of Teixeira for 2 more years of Youk. With or without Hansen."

Yeah, me too. The thing is (in my mind), if we’re sure to lose Tex anyway, we need his replacement NEXT YEAR. None of our true prospects seem ready – unless you count Thorman, and I think that’s not the case. So Youk would be nice to hold the spot for a year or two until Flowers or Freeman or whoever is ready . Or, when Chipper calls it quits, Youkilis could do the same at third – again, until one of our prospects is ready.

I wonder, though – would it be better to let Tex walk and get the draft picks? What exactly would we get? Is Tex guaranteed to be a “type A” free agent? COuld he pull an Andruw and be a B?

by secondbass on Jul 14, 2008 5:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs