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Red-hot Teixeira: staying or going?
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Some people are never satisfied. If “Wally Whiner” held the winning lottery ticket, he would grumble about paying taxes. If gas prices suddenly plummeted, “Debbie Downer” would lament the expected increase in road congestion.
Hard to believe, but the same defeatist attitude existed among some Angels fans after the team stole Mark Teixeira from Atlanta for a bag of used baseballs. A few callers to various Angels' radio broadcasts complained that the club gave up too soon on the young Casey Kotchman. Well, let’s take a look at the trade one month later.
Teixeira has transformed the Angels’ lineup since arriving on the scene. While Los Angeles did hit a mini-slump in the dog days of August, it was Teixeira who remained the one constant producer in the lineup while playing a gold glove caliber first base. Here are his numbers in his first 29 games as an Angel:
.371 BA, 23 R, 4 2B, 8 HR, 23 RBI, 18 walks, 13 strikeouts, .472 OBP, .638 SLG, 1.110 OPS
Kotchman, meanwhile, has been a bust in Atlanta. To be fair, he has had to deal with personal issues off the field, and he’s currently on the bereavement list. But the fact is he never hit with consistent power in Anaheim and has continued that trend in his brief stay with the Braves:
.157 BA, 6 R, 2 2B, 0 HR, 5 RBI, .259 OBP, .214 SLG
It has obviously been a tough transition for Kotchman, both on and off the field. But his power numbers with the Angels were always subpar. Even the most strident Kotchman supporters would have to admit that the powerful Teixeira has been a major upgrade over Kotchman.
The big question now becomes whether the Angels will resign Teixeira, who is a free agent at the conclusion of the season, and a Scot Boras client who will likely command $20 million per year for an eternity. Below is a listing of the likely suitors for Teixeira and the odds of him landing with each club.
New York Yankees
Self-appointed baseball genius Hank Steinbrenner is steamed about his $203 million group of underachievers who will miss the playoffs for the first time since 1993. He is likely to call a timeout on general manger Brian Cashman’s youth movement and go on the kind of spending spree that would make his father blush. New York will have plenty of payroll cleared from the books (adios Carl Pavano and Jason Giambi) and an obscene millions from their new gold-plated mallpark. Teixeira could get lost in the shuffle, however, if the Yankees spend more time flirting with Manny Ramirez and C.C. Sabathia. Odds of Teixeira joining the Yankees: 2-1
Baltimore Orioles
Teixeira hails from Maryland and would be a natural fit in Baltimore. Owner Peter Angelos hasn’t opened his checkbook in eons for a free agent, but he might make an exception for Teixeira, who would be a great fit in the Orioles’ ongoing rebuilding project. Besides, Anglos might just be sick of watching the likes of Kevin Millar at first base. Odds: 3-1
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Owner Arte Moreno and general manager Tony Reagins have a lot of free-agent headaches to deal with. Teixeira, Frankie Rodriguez and John Garland are among the team’s free agents, and they have to decide on expensive options for Vladimir Guerrero, Garret Anderson and John Lackey. Pitching aside, Teixeira is the most important piece to the everyday lineup, and, thus, should be the priority. He is younger, healthier and more productive than Guerrero and Anderson, and a better defender. In the end, the Angels might get tired of dealing with Boras, who undoubtedly will stretch the process out into January in an attempt to shake out every last penny from the bidding franchises, and settle on prospect Kendry Morales for 2009. Odds: 7-1.
Seattle Mariners
The Mariners have plenty of money to spend and a gaping hole at first base. A perfect fit. Odds: 16-1.
San Francisco Giants
The Giants have less money to spend that do the Mariners, but have an equally large black hole at first base. San Francisco desperately needs a marquee player in its everyday lineup to fill the void of Barry Bonds. Like the Mariners, they have shown a penchant for spending foolishly at times, so Boras might be able to play them like a Stradivarius. After all, this is the franchise that gave Boras client Barry Zito zillions. Odds: 17-1.
Boston Red Sox
They appear set at first base with Kevin Youkilis, but might want to block Teixeira from joining the Yankees. He would also replace Ramirez’s bat and provide protection for David Ortiz. How Boston performs offensively in the post season, if they hold on to make it, will decide their level of interest in Teixeira. Odds: 25-1.
It’s unlikely, but a surprise candidate might emerge from the following group of teams: Toronto, Arizona, Atlanta or the Mets (if they decline Carlos Delgado’s option). In the end, it will probably come down to a bidding war between the Yankees, Orioles and Angels. Stay tuned.
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