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Teixeira to the Yankees
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Sources are telling everyone that Mark Teixeira signed with the Yankees, pending a physical.
The New York Yankees swooped in Tuesday and nabbed prized free agent Mark Teixeira, reaching agreement with the first baseman on an eight-year contract worth $180 million, two sources involved in the negotiations tell ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney.
The Yankees had made an offer to Teixeira weeks ago, but then withdrew it. Their intention all along was to make a deal if it fell within parameters acceptable to the organization. They made their formal offer Tuesday.
The contract will pay Teixeira an average of $22.5 million per season.
8 September 2008: Los Angeles Angels Mark Teixeira during a game against the New York Yankees in Anaheim, CA.
Photo: Icon SMI
Note that this blog had the Yankees signing three big-name free agents on Sept. 9th, and actually got two of them right.
Mark does it all offensively, hitting for average, getting on base, and hitting for power. On top of that, he added very good range numbers. Think of a Jason Giambi who can move.
The main problem with the signing is that it creates a glut in the outfield and at designated hitter. Matsui, Damon, Swisher, Nady and Cabrera. On the other hand, with a righty, two lefties and two switch hitters, and Damon, Swisher and Cabrera all able to play center, there are plenty of platoon and defensive alignments available. No one should get worn out. Still, I won't be surprised if one of these players moves in a trade.
This also means Jorge Posada won't be moving to first anytime soon.
Once again, the Yankees are taking advantage of their strong financial position in a down market to stock up on great players. Now, we'll see if it actually pays off.
Yankees Examiner Pete Sabatini likes the move.
