Red Sox In Lead to Sign Teixeira

By KC Downey in Red Sox, Top Story ⋅ December 17, 2008 at 5:54pm ⋅ Post a comment

ALSO SEE >> Should the Red Sox Sign Mark Teixeira?, Red Sox Hot Stove: Winter Shopping List

According to the Boston Globe’s Nick Cafardo, the Red Sox are in the lead to sign free agent first baseman Mark Teixeira.

A general manager of one of the five teams interested (Angels, Red Sox, Yankees, Orioles, Nationals) said that in his opinion, if the talks with the slugger ended today, Big Tex would be wearing a Red Sox uniform.

“I think they’re in the lead and ahead of where everyone else is right now. I’m not sure who’s bidding against them at this point,” said one rival GM.

The Yankees aren’t seriously interested in Teixeira’s services, instead it is believed they are in the negotiations to drive up the price for the Red Sox. New York, meanwhile, is turning its attention to free agent headache slugger Manny Ramirez.

Some have suggested that teams may need to improve their offer to land Teixeira, perhaps by adding additional years on an already-long deal. The Boston Herald reported Wednesday morning that Sox part-owner John Henry said he would not sign any free agent to a 10-year deal.

“The Red Sox effectively had a 10-year deal with a player determined not to live up to his contract. A lot can change over 10 years, for both sides,” said Henry.

Should the Red Sox sign Mark Teixeira?