The Angels might have to overcome a clash of negotiating strategies if they are going to try and sign first baseman Mark Teixeira to a long-term contract this winter.
Teixeira’s agent, Scott Boras, plays the market as well as anyone in his profession and has a history of keeping his clients uncommitted deep into the off-season in order to do so. The Angels, on the other hand, have used a quick-strike strategy when signing big-ticket free agents like Vladimir Guerrero and Torii Hunter, refusing to get drawn into a back-and-forth bidding war.
For his part, Teixeira said he will be in no hurry to determine his future this winter.
“I’ve waited six years to be a free agent. I can wait another month or two,” he said.
“The Angels, I hope, are going to be players but there are going to hopefully be a half-dozen other teams or so. Every team has its wishes. I understand that. We’ll see how it goes.”
Pay this guy and keep him, no matter the amount of money. He’s a rock solid enhancement to the Angels with a “Team Player” mentality, without a cocky attitude and is loved by every fan. How could anyone ever bet against him? Arte, PLEASE don’t blow it with this guy, I’m a 40 year resident of Orange County and have seen too many good players passed on by the Angels.
i HOPE THE ANGELS DO WHAT THEY CAN TO KEEP MARK, HE BRINGS A SPECIAL SPARK TO THE TEAM, ALONG WITH A GREAT DEAL OF TALENT. MY SON & I HAVE BEEN ANGELES FANS FOR A LONG TIME, SO PLEASE DO WHAT YOU CAN.
Once you’ve had this level of money shouldn’t it then come down to where you want to live and what type of owner and manager you will have? I’d think So Cal and Arte and Mike would look good compared to Chicago and Ozzie, New York and the weather, etc…
Todd, how would he blow it if he can land him? Boras is a huge player in all this. He sets the price through the roof. Ive heard he wants to get into the 200 millions for TEX. thats alot of money.. that could really cripple a franchise for many years to come. I think it works out better when a player is willing to take less money to be on a winning team rather than go to the highest bidder. If you give TEX/BORAS exactly what they want, then how do you resign a vlad, or a lackey, or even a Napoli, when its time to re-sign them? Nap seems to be putting up Piazza type HR numbers.. He looks like a 30 hr guy if he was an everyday player.
The Angels should resign Tex. Boy, it sounds like a no brainer with the kind of season he is having with the Halos. But I would like to think his manners may one day rub off on the free swinging lineup of the Angels. He ALMOST NEVER swings at a first pitch. He works the count as well as any player I have ever seen. I am a lifetime baseball fan. I love Vladdy and Torii, etc, but Mark Texiera can be the most important element in a rock solid lineup.
Tex is the type of person that I would go $16-18 mil for six years tops. The market is shaping up to be well north of that number for him. Signing Tex at full-pop market will likely cost you Lackey, Santana, Figgins and/or Rivera down the road.
Kendry Morales is a more cost efficient alternative if Tex holds out for the $200 mil for 10 years that he appears to be seeking…
Let him go and keep ticket prices at their current levels. The Angels will be fine with or without him.
i like him but if he really seeeks the 200mil 10yr range then yeah, kendry will fill in nicely. let Tex be a franchise player for a rebuilding team with no hopes of ever being able to afford more than 1 superstar.