Teixeira to Boston Rumor Debunked

by gondeee on Jul 15, 2008 8:31 AM EDT in Trade News

Theo Epstein just responded to an e-mail I sent him in regard to the Mark Teixeira trade rumors that have been floating around the past two days. The ESPN report was that Sox and Braves were discussing Teixeira for Kevin Youkilis and Craig Hansen.

Asked if there was anything to it, Epstein responded, "No, not at all."

The rumor was originally reported by Peter Gammons, and when it comes to Red Sox rumors Gammons is usually on to something, so this denial by Epstein is curious. Of course, the response, "no, not at all," could mean that the inquiry the Braves made about Youk and Hansen went no where and that the Red Sox have not pursued it any further.

This just shows you that even the seemingly credible rumors may be nothing more than the misunderstandings of an overheard whisper. I'm sure there'll be plenty more of this kind of fodder in the coming days.

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Figured I'd post this here.

If we trade Teixeira or, more likely, lose him to free agency next year, then who’s our first baseman next year.

Take a look at this list I swiped from MLBTradeRumors.

Free Agent First Basemen at the end of this year:

Ben Broussard (32)
Sean Casey (34)
Tony Clark (37)
Carlos Delgado (37) – $16MM mutual option for ‘09 with a $4MM buyout
Nomar Garciaparra (35)
Jason Giambi (38) – $22MM club option for ‘09 with a $5MM buyout
Scott Hatteberg (39)
Eric Hinske (31)
Doug Mientkiewicz (35)
Kevin Millar (37)
Richie Sexson (34)
Mark Teixeira (29)

Braves’ Internal First Basemen options according to official rosters:

Barbaro Canizares (AAA)
Scott Thorman (AAA)
Kala Kaaihue (AA)
Frederick Freeman (A – Rome)

To me it seems like slim pickings all around. So I’m gonna hope we figure out some way to hang on to Tex. Do you think Uncle Ted could be convinced into floating the team some cash?

by Euruproktos on Jul 15, 2008 9:35 AM EDT 0 recs

What's wrong with Sean Casey?

Granted, he’ll never hit for any kind of power, but he’s a great hitter and a very good first baseman. The first base situation in baseball this offseason turned him into a backup, but he’s been a very reliable player. He’s definitely a step back from Teixera, but he’s a huge improvement over everyone we had between Galarraga and Teixera. And with the improvements young players like Kelly Johnson and Brian McCann are going to make, we might not need that huge basher in the middle of the lineup.

by cbwilk on Jul 15, 2008 10:36 AM EDT up 0 recs

With the situation our outfield is in, we need an absolute masher at first base. His small sample size this year aside, Casey has had a SLG of .393, .408, .364, and .423…all in limited action. The last time he was manning the position himself with respectable power was in 2004 (.534 SLG)...and the two years before that his SLG was .408 and .362.

Not the kind of power numbers I want from my first baseman. He’s got great plate discipline, but unless we sign a power hitting LFer we’re going to need some power from 1B.

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 10:59 AM EDT up 0 recs

Is it wrong...

... to want Nomar to play first base for us?

by gondeee on Jul 15, 2008 11:34 AM EDT up 0 recs

You want the Mike Hampton of position players on our team?

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 11:48 AM EDT up 0 recs

Where was that bar you frequent at again?

I think we need to have a little talk. About uh.. logos…

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

by royhobbs on Jul 15, 2008 11:52 AM EDT up 0 recs

I'll save everyone the trouble

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

by royhobbs on Jul 15, 2008 12:14 PM EDT up 0 recs

yes.

"Have you ever had your heart broken?"
"Yeah, when we lost the pennant in '87."

by jug on Jul 15, 2008 12:20 PM EDT up 0 recs

Yes

by Euruproktos on Jul 15, 2008 2:14 PM EDT up 0 recs

Uncle Ted

I’m not sure if that was tongue-in-cheek or not, but I don’t think it will happen. Unfortunately.

I agree with you, I wish we’d resign him. If nothing else, it shows that we are committed to signing big names and that perhaps ownership does actually give a damn about the team and we’re not just and investment. Obviously we have no one internally that has shown they are capable, so we have to sign somebody. Teixeira is far and above the best and youngest player out there. Sign him, lock him up and be done with it. Even though he started slow this year, he helped Chipper in seeing good pitches to hit and that alone is worth something. I would argue he has the best defense of any 1B in the game and he’s a switch hitter. Give him $18 mil/yr and be done with it. Come on Liberty Media, shell out some cash.

"Have you ever had your heart broken?"
"Yeah, when we lost the pennant in '87."

by jug on Jul 15, 2008 12:29 PM EDT up 0 recs

That’s the problem, he’s not asking for $18 million per year. He’s rumored to be asking for around $23 million over 6-8 years. Probably 6, since that would end at the age of 34, young enough to get one more big contract – a Boras tendency.

If the Braves cannot find a good trade, I think they should bite the bullet and sign him. They have an enormous amount of cash coming off the payroll. Hampton’s $15 million would easily overcome the difference that Teixeira would make this year and next. Not to mention Kotsay’s $8 million, John Smoltz’s $14 million, Tom Glavine’s $8 million, and Ohman’s $2 million. That’s about $40-50 million dollars coming off. Couple that with the increase of payroll we were promised, and that ladies and gentlemen is a lot of money to play around with this offseason.

The signs show that they are going to be aggressive in signing him: all the money, no suitable replacement, a hungry franchise, big names retiring. They can’t afford a big named productive player leave when they certainly have the money to pay him.

by beeniez on Jul 15, 2008 12:47 PM EDT up 0 recs

I feel the same way as you, because of the same reasons that you expressed…but it’s funny to hear these major media outlets say that the Braves have close to a 0% chance of signing him.

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 1:10 PM EDT up 0 recs

Well then, here's a question.....

Will Tex negotiate with the Braves NOW so that they can go ahead and lock him up long term? If he won’t discuss a contract, how are the Braves to know what to do? I mean, if they know they can’t resign him and would rather have major league talent instead of draft picks, they’d kind of need to know that now as opposed to the off season when they then find out they can’t (or won’t) be able to afford him. If they’re okay with draft picks, I guess it doesn’t matter. Perhaps they’re open to either possibility, in which case it still wouldn’t matter, but I guess it would just be nice to know!

And I’m asking because I have no idea what his / Boras’ stance is on talking contract during the season…..

by secondbass on Jul 15, 2008 1:15 PM EDT up 0 recs

From past clients it seems like Boras does not like to talk during the season.

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 1:49 PM EDT up 0 recs

From past clients it also seems like Boras doesn’t like the Braves.

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

by royhobbs on Jul 15, 2008 1:53 PM EDT up 0 recs

Boras

Doesn’t like teams that don’t like to spend. If we don’t sign Teix, it’s because Liberty Media sucks at life.

"You never know what I'm going to do..."
- Michael Vick (Palm Beach Post 11/6/2005)

by jamesrael on Jul 15, 2008 2:36 PM EDT up 0 recs

I er if that was a Schuerholz thing?

by secondbass on Jul 15, 2008 3:19 PM EDT up 0 recs

er = wonder

by secondbass on Jul 15, 2008 3:19 PM EDT up 0 recs

No no no.....

You’ve got it all wrong. Boras doesnt like anyone. Except dead presidents.

by traphicg on Jul 15, 2008 3:52 PM EDT up 0 recs

The good thing

At the every lest these rumors might strike up a bidding war, especially if the source is someone like Gammons. If we’re going to lose Tex, let’s hope the price is steep and someone is willing to pay….

by secondbass on Jul 15, 2008 10:10 AM EDT 0 recs

Of course Epstein's going to say that...

... but that doesn’t mean they’re not talking.

- Oh, Bobby. -

by sdp on Jul 15, 2008 10:18 AM EDT 0 recs

What does TEX want?

I think that’s more the issue. I think if we were contending right now, making a strong bid, some of our players would be pushing for us to pick up someone that’s a real player, and who makes us have an even better shot. I said so at the beginning of the year, that if we make it to the WS then we have a chance with Tex. He’s at an age where he wants to be put around people who are MASHING and competing, he really wants a ring, and i think he’d give us the hometown discount if he thought we’d make real runs, for a few years in a row.

Now, the two pitching veterans he was counting on are on the DL, his infield mates have been random and inconsistent for a big chunk of the season, he’s not even the best switch hitter on our team, he hasnt become the “face of the franchise” or even a major fan pleaser (like Chip), and I just worry that Boras’ ability to land him something around $20MM+ a year will team up with all these aforementioned events, and he’ll just want to bounce from Atlanta.

That, and he has to watch his old team kick ASS all day and night with the most unreal hitter in the MLB right now.

by traphicg on Jul 15, 2008 3:57 PM EDT 0 recs

If Boras and Tex want 20 mil or more a year then Braves should pass on that. Just no reason to pay any one player that kind of money. Better ways to build a team.

by dwbrave on Jul 15, 2008 4:36 PM EDT 0 recs

I agree

If the Braves could sell out some games then I can see giving Tex some big money. I’ve gone to games, I watch the games. Atlanta just has so many people from different states that already have their own teams…it’s at least part of the reason the Braves never sell out. I’m surprised more people don’t go more often cause you can get tickets for less than the cost of a movie.

Braves seem like they still have another year or so before they are serious contenders. Need more depth at starting pitching. The bullpen has improved, but still needs some work.

I think our hitters are good, they were scoring a ton of runs early in the season. It’s just a case where everyone got cold at once. Francouer is really the only guy who really needs to step up.

Lastly, let’s not forget all the injuries that have plagued the Braves this year. They’ve done a great job under the circumstances.

by Sparhawk on Jul 15, 2008 10:22 PM EDT up 0 recs