The Angels have withdrawn their offer to Mark Teixeira and are no longer pursuing the free-agent first baseman, team spokesman Tim Mead confirmed today.
General Manager Tony Reagins was not immediately available for comment. The Angels offered Teixeira an eight-year deal, and though financial terms were not disclosed, it was believed to be worth at least $160 million.
The Boston Red Sox, who are believed to have offered Teixeira an eight-year deal in the $170-million range, appeared to pull out of the Teixeira sweepstakes Thursday night.
Red Sox owner John Henry, after meeting with the player and his agent, Scott Boras, at Teixeira's Dallas-area home, issued a statement that said, in part, "we are not going to be a factor."
But the Red Sox are still believed to be the front-runners to acquire Teixeira, whom many believe wants to play for a contending team on the East Coast.
The Washington Nationals, who reportedly offered eight years and $160 million, and the Baltimore Orioles, who reportedly offered seven years and about $150 million, remain heavily involved in the bidding.
There have been conflicting reports about the New York Yankees' level of interest in Teixeira, whom the Angels acquired from the Atlanta Braves on July 29 and described as their top priority this winter.
Boras is reportedly seeking an eight-year deal for at least $180 million, and a source familiar with the Angels' thinking maintained all last week that owner Arte Moreno had no plans to sweeten the deal.
"Arte is sticking to his guns on this one," the source said.
The Angels will receive a first-round draft pick and a selection between the first and second rounds as compensation for Teixeira, but his loss will be felt.
In 54 games with the Angels, the 28-year-old switch-hitter batted .358 with a .449 on-base percentage, 13 homers and 43 runs batted in, and the two-time Gold Glove Award winner played superb defense.
The Angels are expected to go with switch-hitter Kendry Morales at first base. They signed outfielder Juan Rivera to a three-year, $12.75-million deal on Friday.
They could still look to bolster their offense by pursuing free-agent outfielders Bobby Abreu or Pat Burrell, or they could look to trade for a hitter such as Jermaine Dye, Paul Konerko or Garrett Atkins.
They will probably use some of the money budgeted for Teixeira to sign closer Brian Fuentes, who is seeking a three-year, $30-million deal and has said that the Angels are his first choice.
mike.digiovanna@latimes.com
