Mark Teixeira has become a prized free-agent commodity.
Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images
Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images
LAS VEGAS -- The Yankees, who are pressing for pitching and have money to burn, have re-entered the Mark Teixeira Sweepstakes, SI.com has learned.
It had been presumed the Yankees were concentrating only on starting pitching for the moment. But sources tell SI.com that the Yankees aren't about to concede Teixeira to the rival Red Sox or anyone else. Word in baseball circles on Wednesday was that the Boston appeared to be the favorite to land the star free-agent first baseman.
The Angels, Nationals and Orioles are all pressing for Teixeira, as well, with the price likely to approach or hit the $200-million mark. There have been reports suggesting some Angels people are discouraged, but it appears they remain very much in the picture.
There are some people who believe Teixeira would rather go to the East Coast, and if that's true the Yankees could be an interesting fit. The Orioles and Nationals are pressing hard, and while Teixeira is a native of Severna Park, Md., neither of his local teams appears ready to win.
The Yankees are also pushing for A.J. Burnett, talking seriously to Derek Lowe and investigating whether to make a bid for Ben Sheets. The Yankees' biggest need is pitching, and if they sign three more pitchers beyond CC Sabathia, they can probably be counted out on Teixeira. But until that time, they should be considered to be in the Teixeira Sweepstakes. If they do sign Teixeira, Nick Swisher would be switched to the outfield.
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Yankees took $88 mill off the books after 2008 and will take off another $35 in 2009. CC at $23, Burnett at $16, Lowe at $16 only equals $55 mill. You better believe they have and extra $20-$22 mill to throw at Tex to bring him to NY and keep him away from the Red Sox.
Yankee27
Castaic , CA
Total Comments (1121)
If for nothing else, to try and jack up the price for the Sux for a change.
KC Luva
Total Comments (3991)
good. I like hearing that we are still in the hunt for this guy. After us seemingly are letting Abreu walk and Giambi's walks, big bat and always at least a threat to hit the long ball, we need a replacement bat. We haven't had a solid defensive 1st basemen since Mienkiewicz...a move on Teixeira kills both birds with one stone. Let's get this done.
26 Titles
Total Comments (93)
who is up to come off the books in 2009? Damon and?
26 Titles
Total Comments (93)
What...no Manny?? haha
I hope Yanks will take that reported 5yr 80M for Burnett off the table, and make an offer to Lowe, and Sheets in stead. Oh and Tex as well....
avirex34
New York, NY
Total Comments (138)
HA! Sure they will. They're just trying to run the price up. Good luck with that. This writer is just another clueless Yankee homer. Scott Boras has made it pretty clear he's trying to package Varitek & Teixeria to the RED SOX.
rabid_pro
East Longmeadow , MA
Total Comments (39)
Matsui...don't know the other guy
Damon+Matsui= $26M
avirex34
New York, NY
Total Comments (138)
Nonesense. This a move to drive his price up and and stick it to boston
Sito45
Fort Walton Beach , FL
Total Comments (205)
Damon and Matsui come off the books
Jays Prettyboys
Albany , NY
Total Comments (4)
Nady I think is off the books next year as well or least becomes a free agent who may resign
Jays Prettyboys
Albany , NY
Total Comments (4)
The Yankees RULE.
Sorry Boston, you had your 5 year run that you have every 100 years or so.
Tex is going to be ours.
Big Bad Checkbook
Maywood , NJ
Total Comments (2)
Well I remember a few years back when it looked like it was a lock that A-Rod was headed to the Sux, and the Empire suddenly struck and...he was in pinstripes.
avirex34
New York, NY
Total Comments (138)
The Yanks need a power bat in that lineup to compliment Arod. A switch hitting Tex to hit in front of, or behind Arod would fit the bill. I think the Yanks need to either get Manny or Tex. You can't rely on guys like Swisher, Matsui, or Nady, to back up Arod.
Yankee2123
Total Comments (11)
Then again, you guys tend not to remember a whole lot anyways. I'm at least an objective Yankee fan that tells it how it is.
avirex34
New York, NY
Total Comments (138)
uh rabid_pro....do you know ANYTHING about Boras??? Since when has he EVER cared about a team over $$$? answer is never! thats why A-rod ended up in Texas.
jrvasey
Sayville , NY
Total Comments (2)
Apparently he knows squat about baseball
avirex34
New York, NY
Total Comments (138)
Yanks need TEX, he wants to be a Yankee, he idolized Don Mattingly growing up and is a perfect fit. Yanks should sign AJ and TEX and Sheets or Andy and try as hard as they can to shed Matsui's contract to anyone
Jays Prettyboys
Albany , NY
Total Comments (4)
This is downright scary. The Yankees have been trying to buy championships for a long time, but they've succeeded when they brought in the RIGHT players (Tino Martinez, Paul O'Neill, etc.), not the BEST players (Gary Sheffield, Jason Giambi, etc.)
In the words of Dennis Green, "if you want to crown them, then crown their ***"...
But there's still baseball to be played and I don't know that they're any better than the third best team... in their own division
King Jenrry
Total Comments (300)
Tex does not want to be a Yankee. All you Yankee fans send me your adress and when he signs with Baltimore I will mail you a nice picture of him in his new uniform. We are a few years away from being big time players but even Boras stated that proximity to home is a big factor for him. He grew up in my home town and his parents have stated all along that if the O's get close in dollars he will sign.
The Baron
Total Comments (303)
Well I remember a few years back when it looked like it was a lock that A-Rod was headed to the Sux, and the Empire suddenly struck and...he was in pinstripes.
And how is that working out for you? LOL. ARod stinks and I am glad that the Yanks got him. Sabathia sucks in the playoffs as well.
cole9098
Easthampton , MA
Total Comments (11)
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