Around the Majors with Buster Olney
July 2, 2008
Saw this in the links this morning:
- The Atlanta Braves has finalized a deal with first baseman Mark Teixeira that will extend his stay in Atlanta at least 5 years and will pay out $83.65m.
Real interesting move by the Braves. They aren't a small market club, but Time Warner hasn't been doing as well recently and you have to wonder if this deal will come back to bite them someday. Giving out $16.7 million a year for the next 5 years is a lot for any club. With John Smotlz's opinion not picked up for 2008 and Mike Hampton a free agent, the Braves do have some extra cash to spend as their young kids come up right now, but could it be used to plug a few more holes than just a 1B?
And there is no doubt that Atlanta is making a good investment in Teixeira, one of the most liked players in the game. He plays 1B at a Gold Glove caliber and is only 28 years old, so the Braves know they aren't going to have to worry about finding a new position for him any time soon, as the Yankees may with Rodriguez, Jeter and Posada as they all get older and less agile.
Atlanta needed to get this done. There wasn't much a market right now for first basemen. Taking a look at the possible playoff contenders:
The playoff contenders are mostly set at first. Same with the big money clubs. Boston, both teams in Chicago, Philadelphia, Los Angeles. All set. Maybe the Angels. Maybe the Yankees get in there with Jeter hurt now for the the offense. Giambi is gone at the end of the season. Figure Baltimore and Washington would be interested as Teixeira is a native of the mid-Atlantic. But, for the most part, the usual players aren't looking for a first baseman.
Would they have been better off trying to get a deal on the market for Teixiera? Replacing a slugging first baseman isn't the hardest thing, and with Chipper Jones, Smotlz, Hampton, Jeff Francoeur and Yunel Esobar all on the disabled list, the Braves must have checked their return before signing this deal. They may not do anything this year with the injuries piling up, but long-term, keeping a clubhouse presence like Teixeira should allow the Braves to have a leader as their championship core of Jones and Smotlz eventually leave.
Atlanta and Teixeira's agent must have known this when they sat down. Scott Boras isn't one to sign his players without going to free agency, that's why Teixeira isn't a Ranger right now. But, it seems to have worked out for both sides.