Red Sox To Break Bank For Mark Teixeira ?
November 19, 2008 by Mike
Per Tony Massarotti:
Here’s a prediction: By the time this is over, win or lose, the Red Sox effectively will have made Mark Teixeira the largest contract offer in the history of your storied franchise.
In the case of Teixeira, rest assured that the Sox want him, no matter what games are being paid by club officials. Publicly and privately, the Sox are saying nothing about their interest in Teixeira and playing dumb every time his name comes up. It’s as sure a sign as any that they are preparing to go to extraordinary lengths. Last year, in the midst of the Johan Santana trade talks, the Sox were far more forthcoming about who and what they were willing to offer. When all was said and done, the Sox were not interested in acquiring Santana so much as they were interested in driving up the price for the rival Yankees; as it turned out, they kept Santana out of the Bronx altogether.
In the case of Teixeira, the parameters have been in place for quite some time. Roughly 18 months ago, before being dealt by the Texas Rangers, Teixeira turned down an eight-year, $144 million offer that translated into $18 million per season. At the time, Teixeira was still a season and a half short of free agency. Teixeira’s resume has only grown since then, which likely places Teixeira’s current value between $20-$25 million per season over the next six to eight years at a minimum.
Massarotti was the first to break the Sox interest in Teixeira, and now he won’t let it go. When it’s all said and done, look for Teixeira to re-sign with the Angels. Word is he is their top priority, and they do have the money to spend on him.
[...] to the Red Sox? (Sons of Bill [...]