Land Ho!
Maybe.
Several media outlets are reporting that Red Sox General Manager Theo Epstein and Principal Owner John Henry are in Texas tonight meeting with Mark Teixeira's agent, Scott Boras and perhaps Teixeira himself, in a scene somewhat reminiscent of Thanksgiving 2003 when Epstein traveled to Arizona to meet with Curt Schilling.
In reading the various reports (WCVB, WBZ, ESPN, Yahoo, NASA and The Marblehead Reporter), it seems the numbers of years the Red Sox have offered is 8. The dollars are ranging from $174 to $188mm over the 8 years. No matter what, if Mark Teixeira signs with Boston, he would be signing the largest guaranteed contract in Red Sox history (Manny Ramirez was guaranteed $160mm over 8 years).
On WEEI Wednesday, Sean McAdams, formerly of the Providence Journal and now of the Boston Herald, said that Mike Lowell is NOT happy with these developments. With that in mind the Red Sox will have a massive hill to climb if they think they can have Lowell play a Coco Crisp type role for the next 2 years. Lowell isn't likely to accept a back-up role, is he? He is guaranteed $24mm over the next 2 years and given Terry Francona's habit of giving his starters regular rest, perhaps there is a chance Lowell isn't traded.
I spent over a year on this site telling everyone I expected Crisp to be dealt and it never happened, until this off-season. The Red Sox would clearly value Lowell in a "10th-man role," but he has an ego, as we all do, and might want to parlay the fact he still has value into future contracts. I cannot blame him for that. Then again, the Red Sox represent a chance to win while still making good cash. In addition, he'd be the primary back-up for Kevin Youkilis, Mark Teixeira and David Ortiz.
No matter, Lowell is a good person from all accounts and he has a right to be upset if the Red Sox sign Teixeira, but the facts remain that Lowell is coming off surgery on his hip and, more importantly, the Red Sox are all about getting better and giving themselves the best chance to win a World Series. This a business after all.
As for the chance that Teixeira signs soon, don't hold your breath. Boras has a way of being dramatic. "I hate to do anything as dramatic as counting to three, but..."
DeVito, I mean Boras has a way of making things dramatic. Stay tuned.
UPDATE: Boston.com is quoting John Henry with the following: "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."
So there you go. A game of chicken (should I be capitalizing the "c" in chicken?). If indeed Teixeira and Boras left the Red Sox with that impression, I have to assume they are going to accept the Washington Nationals offer. And if so, good luck in Washington Mark.
Then again, I'm easily influenced by posturing.
Might this be another negotiation where Scott Boras has no leverage left? The Daisuke Matsuzaka deal is a good example. Then again, the J.D. Drew contract is another example where they grabbed their ankles and bid against themselves.
My odds of the Red Sox getting Teixeira: 2:1.
