ESPN.com - Red Sox still in the driver's seat to sign Teixeira

ESPN.com: Olney

Monday, December 22, 2008
Updated: December 27, 5:16 PM ET
Red Sox still in the driver's seat to sign Teixeira

Mark Teixeira told Red Sox owner John Henry the other day that he has offers higher than what the Red Sox offered, but as Boston gauges the market, it's clear that club executives now must have serious doubts about that.

Teixeira is going to wind up with a really great contract, a deal that could take care of his family for generations to come, a deal that he earned through his diligent preparation and his strong performance in his career. But clearly, he is getting boxed in -- and circumstances will probably make it necessary for him to make a decision very soon, because his leverage has probably maxed out, and now only runs the risk of being diminished.

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The Angels pulled out of the bidding, writes Mike DiGiovanna, and they appear to be serious about moving on. Folks within the organization have long suspected that Teixeira's preference, in the end, would be to play for an East Coast team; that's why they talked internally, weeks ago, about putting a time limit on their offer to Teixeira. They wanted to make him a fair offer and to get a timely response, so they could go about the business of restructuring their team for 2009.

The Angels are reading the fact that they haven't gotten a response to their offer as a response, and unless Teixeira calls them and begs to take the eight-year deal they dangled, he's probably moving on, to one of the other interested teams.

So, to review what Teixeira appears to have, according to sources:

The Yankees made an initial offer that was believed to be markedly less than what the other offers have been, and since then they have withdrawn that offer. They are pushing to cut their payroll in 2009, and they cannot sign Teixeira and accomplish that unless they could dump the contract of Hideki Matsui and others, in a market flush with corner outfielders. Their focus continues to be on starting pitching, and at some point they could re-engage a free agent who could come cheaply.

The Orioles made a seven-year, $140 million offer -- not $150 million, as widely reported, but $140 million -- and have not upgraded that offer. Unless Teixeira puts himself on a platter for the O's and gives them a major hometown discount, it's unlikely he will sign with them.

The Nationals reportedly made an eight-year, $160 million offer. It's unclear whether they have upgraded that offer during this process, and it's unclear whether Teixeira is absolutely open to the idea of playing for a team that figures to struggle for at least a couple of more seasons. Privately, folks within the organization are telling others that they are very pessimistic about their chances, and one high-ranking executive has indicated to confidants that he has not altered his initial offer.

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A smoke screen? We'll see.

And that brings us back to the Red Sox, who sources say were prepared to pay Teixeira something in the range of $170 million to $175 million as club executives flew to Texas, and who might be nudged to $180 million. But they seem to be balking at the idea of throwing out a $200 million deal to the first baseman.

Here's a number to keep in mind: $189 million. That's the value of the contract signed by Derek Jeter after the 2000 season. Scott Boras, Teixeira's agent, is very aware of benchmarks, and so a $190 million contract would surpass Jeter's deal in total dollars.

Does Teixeira really have lots of offers for more than what the Red Sox are offering? Clearly, Boston doesn't think so. Only Boras knows for sure.

It seems that the game has played itself out, the last cards have been dealt, and now Teixeira is in position to make his decision.

The read on the table here, still, is that he will sign with the Red Sox.

Mark Whicker wonders how much Angels fans like the Teixeira trade now, as it's apparent that he will not re-sign with the team.

The Red Sox are still mum about their situation, writes Adam Kilgore.

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