Angels make their offer to Mark Teixeira
BASEBALL
Eight-year deal is believed to be worth $160 million, and the Red Sox are yet to be heard from.
General Manager Tony Reagins has confirmed that the Angels made an eight-year offer to free-agent first baseman Mark Teixeira, and though financial terms were not disclosed, the proposal is believed to be worth at least $160 million.
Reagins wouldn't say whether the offer, extended to agent Scott Boras by owner Arte Moreno at the winter meetings in Las Vegas on Tuesday, was an increase in years and dollars from an earlier offer or if it was the team's best and final offer.
But the GM did intimate that the Angels, who are facing stiff competition from the Boston Red Sox, Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles to sign the switch-hitting slugger, probably won't go much higher.
"We think it's a competitive offer, we think it's a fair offer, and we think we offer a lot of positives," Reagins said Saturday.
"The ball is in their court."
The Nationals, who hope to make Teixeira the centerpiece of a franchise they feel is on the rise despite a 102-loss season in 2008, reportedly have offered Teixeira eight years and $160 million.
The Orioles, who hope to lure Teixeira, who grew up in the Baltimore suburb of Saverna Park, back to his hometown and hitter-friendly Camden Yards, reportedly have offered him a seven-year deal, believed to be in the $150-million range.
Details of a Red Sox offer have not been reported, but the team has made Teixeira its top priority and is believed to be prepared to match any offer the Angels extend.
The Angels and Red Sox don't feel they need to bid quite as high as the Orioles and Nationals because they can offer something Washington and Baltimore can't -- a spot on a perennial playoff-contending team and owners with track records of spending the kind of money it takes to sustain a winner.
Reagins did not say whether the Angels' offer came with an expiration date.
"But as some point, we have to go about our business and look at other alternatives if a deal with Mark is not reached," Reagins said. "We're not at that point yet."
When is that point?
"Well," Reagins said, "spring training is getting closer every day."
One contingency plan the Angels pursued, free-agent outfielder Raul Ibanez, is off the board -- the veteran slugger reportedly agreed to a three-year, $31.5-million deal with the Philadelphia Phillies.
If Teixeira signs elsewhere, the Angels probably would start switch-hitter Kendry Morales at first base and pursue an outfielder such as Adam Dunn, Bobby Abreu, Pat Burrell, Garret Anderson or Juan Rivera.
