Henry: Sox 'Are Not Going To Be A Factor' For Teixeira by Jared Carrabis
Sox owner says the Sox are out of Teixeira sweepstakes, or are they?


Some disheartening news pouring out of the meeting held in Dallas, Texas tonight where John Henry, Larry Lucchino and Theo Epstein met with Mark Teixeria’s agent, Scott Boras. Adam Kilgore of Boston.com is reporting what those who had Teixeira on their Christmas lists feared most. The owner of the Boston Red Sox, John Henry, has issued a statement in an email to several members of the media stating, "We met with Mr. Teixeira and were very much impressed with him. After hearing about his other offers, however, it seems clear that we are not going to be a factor."

This is either the end of Boston’s run at the free agent slugger, or it very well could be a ploy to prove to Scott Boras that the Red Sox refuse to play his games and jump through his hoops. Analysts on ESPN said Thursday night to “not count the Red Sox out” of the Teixeira sweepstakes altogether.

There are a few reaons why a deal was not agreed upon during this meeting in Dalas. The reason that I speculate was the back-breaker for the Sox would be that Boras was seeking one of two things from Boston, if not both. Boras may have asked that the Red Sox include an opt-out clause in Teixeira’s contract, or a ninth (maybe even tenth) year to be included in the deal. The Red Sox have made it very clear that they do not like to grant an opt-out clause to free agents and have also made it very clear that they are not willing to go beyond eight years. I think we all know who we have to blame for that.

The other rumor that has been circling around is that an unnamed team has offered Teixeira a contract that has eclipsed Boston’s initial offer around $180 million over eight years. It is certain that the Oriole’s unwillingness to go beyond seven years takes the birds out of the mix. The Nationals remain a possibility but could the Yankees have ponied up a 10-year deal? The rumor remains to be confirmed but I personally would not be surprised. Remember folks, this is a team that missed the playoffs in 2008, this is a team that had a lot of cash coming off the books this offseason and this is also a team moving into a new stadium.

In my personal opinion, the Red Sox are not out of this by a long shot. Tony Massarotti of the Boston Globe has stressed numorous amounts of times that anything can happen in the offseason so I’m not throwing the idea of Teixeira in a Red Sox uniform in 2009 out the window just yet. Although John Henry has publically stated that the Red Sox “are not going to be a factor”, keep in mind that this deal is still on the table. This is not a bidding war similar to the one that granted Boston negociating rights to negociate with Daisuke Matsuzaka. The highest bid does not always mean the final desination for the free agent, although most times it does. All I’m saying is don’t count the Sox out on this.

However, if Boston fails to sign Teixeira it is not the end of the world. This is still a team with a great amount of talent and a whole season more experience than they did prior to 2008. Will Mark Teixeira make the Red Sox the team to beat in 2009? Quite possibly. Will failing to sign Teixeira make the Red Sox a team struggling to make the postseason in 2009? Don’t count on it.

-Jared Carrabis

Published on December 19, 2008

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