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Being based in the New York area, I heard plenty of talk about the Yankees and Mets regarding their overpaid, unproductive first basemen. Both Jason Giambi ($26 million) and Carlos Delgado ($16 million) were both not hitting their weights (or their salaries) early in the season, nor are they defensive wizards who can change a game with the glove.
 
As 2008 is the last season of multi-year deals for each first baseman, both Giambi and Delgado could soon be leaving New York. The talk on sports radio is which New York team would cough up more dough for Atlanta Braves' switch-hitting, Gold Glove caliber, first baseman Mark Teixeira - also in the last year of his contract.
Both the Yanks and Mets are willing to deal with Teixeira's uber agent Scott Boras to ink the power hitting threat and likely shore up their first base position for at least the next 5 to 7 years.

But, neither team will land the multi-talented threat.

Mark Teixeira is not leaving Atlanta - not if the Braves are smart.

On July 31, 2007 the Braves obtained Teixeira - sending five players to the Texas Rangers for Teixeira and LHR Ron Mahay. All five of the players, including 18 yr old SS Elvis Andrus (#2 prospect in the Braves system), 2005 1st rd pick Beau Jones and LHP Matt Harrison (#3 prospect) are top prospects. Only one, catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, had any major league experience. This didn't matter to the Braves, though, as they obtained the threat they wanted AND needed.

The end of the 2007 season saw the first place Mets lose the division title to the  rival Philadelphia Phillies, not the rival Braves. While the Braves got their man and Tex responded with a monster two months (.317 AVG/.404 OBP/.615 SLG/1.019 OPS - 17 HR and 56 RBI in 54 games), the Braves were thwarted by injuries to their pitching staff and a bloated 5.35 ERA from their starters in August.

Teixeira's production for the Braves also has improved the game of Chipper Jones, the batter Teixeira hits behind. In the four full months since the trade, Chipper is 147 for 394 (.373 AVG) with 88 runs, 30 doubles, 24 HR's and 81 RBI's. Chipper's OBP has been .465, has slugged a steroid-free .642 for a whopping 1.107 OPS. UPDATE: Chipper has since cooled off slightly, his average down to .402.

Simply incredible numbers.

Teixeira's presence behind Chipper has solidified Jones' certain HOF status and has boosted Atlanta's lineup to one of the best in the National League.

It is a complete luxury two having two switching hitting sluggers in the middle of the lineup. Opposing managers can't mix and match relievers late in the game when their spots come up and with both having great OBP's, there are always men on base when batters 5, 6 and 7 come up. That is one reason why Jeff Francoeur, despite a .253 BA, has 38 RBI's.

Because of the highly productive, loaded Atlanta lineup, plus what the Braves gave up in the trade, it is imperative the Braves re-sign Teixeira. It will be easier than people think. First, money is not the overriding factor anymore and, secondly, Tex loves Atlanta - he played college ball at Georgia Tech.

But, when Scott Boras is the agent, a player will always test free agency and many people predict Tex will sign with one of the two New York teams.

I disagree.

While it has been Atlanta's history not to put too much of a player's salary into one basket, this time will be different. One reason why Francoeur has not been signed to a long term extension, like so many other young hitters (David Wright, Evan Longoria, Chase Utley), is that the Braves are waiting to see what it will cost to land Teixeira. Boras has begun to leak out 10 years/$200 million, but the likely scenario is more in line with the 7 year/$141 million extension Detroit gave Miguel Cabrera.
 
Teixeira loves playing in Atlanta but will also test the FA waters. "I'm enjoying playing in Atlanta ... and there's no doubt this organization is a winning organization. When I become a free agent, Atlanta's definitely in the mix," Teixeira said last month.

But since the San Francisco Giants got Zito'd last year and the Andruw Jonesing of the Los Angeles Dodgers this season, it is a different FA market. The 8 year/$140 million that Teixeira declined from the Rangers before last season's trade might not be available, even with the Yankees relieved of over $80 million next season.
 
Another reason Teixeira will not opt for New York is the fickle fans in Queens and the Bronx. In today's media age, there is no doubt Teixeira saw Met fans boo Johan Santana in his first start at Shea and saw them almost run Delgado, Beltran (at times), and all relievers who don't have a 1-2-3 inning every appearance out of town. Yankee fans are no better when they boo Derek Jeter for slumping and Arod for not hitting a homer every game.

Unless the bidding gets ridiculous - and I mean in the Arod stratosphere of a 10 year/$200 million deal - the Braves will pony up the money and not let their horse go away. Both New York teams, the Seattle Mariners (who will be losing Richie Sexson), Teixeira's hometown Baltimore Orioles, and maybe the Boston Red Sox will bid for Teixeira but he will go back to his current team for just about the same dollars as is offered.

Teixeira is no one-trick pony and the Braves will corral their slugger...much to the delight of Chipper Jones.