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Mark Teixeira: Yea or nay?

Dec 4th, 2008 by Bill Burt

Here’s the deal:
The Red Sox are hot after free agent first baseman Mark Teixeira who we can all agree is probably going to hit 35 HR and 120 RBI, barring injury, over the next half dozen years.
That would give the Red Sox stability, in terms of consistent power, in the middle of the lineup, which we are used to around here when Manny Ramirez was batting cleanup.
Would you sign Teixeira?
If yes, what would you do with Mike Lowell, Kevin Youkilis and, for that matter, David Ortiz?
Send me your thoughts and comments.

Posted in Patriots | View Comments

  • Colin

    Sign Tex, shift Youk to third, keep Ortiz as regular DH and hold on to Lowell. With the health problems of Lowell and Ortiz, we’ll need the insurance.

  • http://blogs.eagletribune.com/sports/ Bill Burt

    Colin
    That’s $13 million in insurance? Do you think Lowell would accept being the other third-baseman/DH?
    They don’t have a lot of roster spots for guys who can play one position as backup.
    I believe that Lowell would probably have to go under your positioning.
    As much as I like Lowell, for the future, sending him elsewhere might be best.

  • John

    Bill,
    Simple. Sign Teixeira. Move Youk to Left, Drew in Center and Bay in Right. Ellsbury becomes 4th outfielder much like what happen this season with Coco in the mix. We all know Drew can’t play a complete season due to injuries. You will also be able to rotate youk to 3rd and 1st for a few games to give Lowell and Tex a rest. If you want Ellsbury to start, then you could trade Bay for decent picks as his contract is affordable.

    If you sign Tex, you have many options. Good options, much like never having too much pitching.

    John

  • http://blogs.eagletribune.com/sports/ Bill Burt

    John
    The problem I have with this scenario is Drew doesn’t go after anything hard. He will catch everything hit around him, but Ellsbury (and Coco for that matter) saved one run every few games.
    The plan is for Ellsbury to be leadoff. If he’s good, the Sox, will be unbeatable on the offensive end.
    I agree about the “options.” The more the merrier.

  • bocatennis

    tex is a waste of money. i dont like the idea of getting rid of lowell. he is a big part of that team in terms of the chemistry factor. he has the respect of all the players and seems to be a fan favorite.

  • Marci

    Pass on Teixiera. I’m sure he’s great and consistent, but so is Youk. As for dumping Lowell, dealing him for fair value will be extremely difficult coming off his injury. I think if past performance is an indicator of future results, he will bounce back. The question is, how soon. So then you get into the debate with yourself, do you go with the younger talent or the cunning elder.

    I know people either don’t like to mention clubhouse chemistry or overstate in a shmoopy “oooh, you’ll destroy the team” sorta way, but there’s no question Lowell bridges the gaps between teammates by speaking multiple languages and being able to converse comfortably with everyone, regardless of their level of educator and experience. Teixiera isn’t going to be a clubhouse leader. He’s going to be hired gun. I think ARod has proven that’s harder to integrate a super-stud free-agent successfully into a team then people realize.

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  • Marcel

    Sign Tex, shift Youk to third, dump Lowell for whatever they can get. The Sox can make a decision on Ortiz in a couple of years when his contract is up and Lars is ready to contribute.

    And I disagree about Drew’s defense. He’s very good defensively. It doesn’t look like he’s going hard because he never dives or slides, but that’s mostly an attempt to stay healthy. He’s very smooth, gets a good read on balls and takes good routes. At the same time, he is certainly better in right than center. Likewise, although Bay is decent in left, he would likely be a disaster in left. And you would be putting an excellent defensive infielder in the outfield. It’s just a silly idea.

  • Marcel

    *Would likely be a disaster in right. Sorry, should have proof-read that a bit better.

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