Red Sox say they won't be a factor for Mark Teixeira
BASEBALL
Boston owner meets with coveted free-agent slugger and comes away with no deal. Angels' Torii Hunter is excited about the possibility.
The Mark Teixeira sweepstakes took some wild twists and turns Thursday, with the slugger appearing close to a deal with the Boston Red Sox, only to have the team many considered the front-runner to land the first baseman abruptly pull out of negotiations.
"We met with Mr. Teixeira and were very much impressed with him," Boston owner John Henry said in an e-mail to Boston-area newspapers, television stations and the Associated Press late Thursday night.
"After hearing about his other offers, however, it seems clear that we are not going to be a factor."
To which Angels center fielder Torii Hunter responded: "Really? Wow! Man, that's good news. From what I was hearing, I thought he was gone. I'm excited."
Teixeira has been the Angels' top priority this winter, but Thursday afternoon, the highly coveted switch-hitter seemed to be slipping out of the Angels' grasp and into the hands of the Red Sox.
Scott Boras, who represents the free agent, traveled to Teixeira's Westlake, Texas, home and met Thursday night with Henry, Red Sox CEO Larry Lucchino and General Manager Theo Epstein.
The Red Sox were believed to have offered Teixeira an eight-year deal in the $175-million range, and a source who is familiar with negotiations but is not authorized to speak about them on the record said it was "significantly" better than the Angels' offer.
Angels GM Tony Reagins confirmed that the team made an eight-year offer to Teixeira at last week's winter meetings. Though financial terms were not disclosed, the offer was believed to be in excess of $160 million.
Reagins had not been informed of any Teixeira decision by early Thursday evening, and he refused to concede anything to the Red Sox.
"It just means he's pursuing his options and will make a decision at some point," Reagins said. "Until that happens, we're still in the game. . . . We made a substantial offer, and they have an opportunity to accept."
Is the Angels' bid a final offer?
"I would say it's a fair offer," Reagins said.
Informed of Henry's e-mail later Thursday evening, Reagins called it "an interesting turn of events. . . . Beyond that, I have no knowledge of it, so it wouldn't be fair to comment about it."
Hunter's mood brightened considerably when told of Henry's e-mail. Earlier Thursday, when told Red Sox officials were meeting Teixeira at his home, Hunter said, "That [stinks]. I definitely want him to come back. He made us complete. I know we were up by 11 games when we got him, but he made us that much better."
