Braves mum on chances to sign Teixeira

[HMFFL]

First baseman, represented by Boras, will make $12.5 million this season


"Look at his age — 27," manager Bobby Cox said of the former Georgia Tech standout, who has the fifth-most extra-base hits (365) and eighth-most RBIs (555) in the majors since his rookie season in 2003. "Yeah, you build around him. It would be important if we could get him."

Teixeira will make $12.5 million this season in his final year of arbitration eligibility, then be a free agent after the World Series unless the Braves sign him

to an extension before then. The Braves won't say if there have been any recent negotiations.

Third baseman Chipper Jones said, "Oh, man. [Signing Teixeira to a long-term deal] would allow us to assure ourselves of a pretty potent offense for the next half a decade."

Teixeira hit .306 with 30 homers and 105 RBIs in 132 games, his fourth consecutive season with at least 30 homers and 100 RBIs. He made a major and immediate impact with Atlanta, hitting .317 with 17 homers and 56 RBIs in 54 games after coming over in a July 31 trade with Texas that cost the Braves five prospects.

"He's the ultimate professional," Cox said. "He's organized. He's got a routine that he does, and he's an animal.

"He's going to put up big numbers. Plus, his defense is excellent. He's up there with [Cubs Gold Glove first baseman Derrek Lee]."

As excited as Jones is about teaming with Teixeira for a switch-hitting power duo in the middle of the Braves batting order, he's not going to get carried away thinking of it as a long-term tandem.

"Tex is one of those guys who's a die-hard Boras lover," Jones said, "and that tells me what I need to know right there.

"I'm not going to say there's no chance [they re-sign him], but he stands behind his guy [Boras], and his guy gets top dollar. And I doubt we'll be able to offer top dollar."

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[lpsevier]

I thinking he may be an Oriole. But you never know.

[bravesatl]

don't like our chances....and it's gonna really suck when he leaves, knowing how much we gave up for him....

[Chuck N.]

Boras just kills the economics of the game.

[dms269]

Boras does kill it, but he will get his people money. Players are blinded by money. They know Boras will get them the most they can get, and money is important.

[coachx]

The new ownership group needs to make this happen. Braves nation would more then appreciate a statement move like that.

Tex is only 27, and a switch hitting cleanup hitter that hits for average and power are extremely rare. He is a young Chipper Jones with more power. He would be the guyChipper passes the torch to in a couple of years. You know the Mets will want to replace the aging Delgado at 1st. Not to mention the Yankees hole at 1B. with Giambi inadequate defense. The bidding will be stiff for sure.

You can't over pay for a switch hitter like Tex.

Mike Hampton's $11 mill will come off the books.
Tom Glavine's $8 mill will come off the books
Tex is making $12.5 this year

That is $31.5 mill to work with that will fall off the books.

I'm guessing Boras will ask for $25 -$27 mill per year and Tex will wind up with $20 - $22 mill/per for 7 years. close to 7 years $150 mill contract sounds about right. (If we are lucky).

I hope this guy is a long time Brave. He is really something special. A young core lineup of Tex, Francour, McCann, Escobar, K. Johnson, is more then promising........It has Peter Gammonds down right giddy !

If we don't resign Tex then I hope the Braves throw some money at Sabathia or another dominant starting pitcher since Glavine and Smoltz can't last forever.

[TSC25]

^ I think your right the Yanks will probley make a push for him,not sure how many years Jason has on his contract but I think it's about up.