Tex and the Nats...

[hisownfool]

raise your bid, Lerners.

it's the only way to get him.

I'd love to get Teixeira but I would be very happy if we got got Dunn and Hudson, instead. We could probably get the two of them (assuming they'd be willing to play here) for perhaps half (over 4-5 years) of what Teixeira would cost. It would fill two important hole -- not just one.

[shoeshineboy]

I would guess that the Nats have a cutoff point where they won't go any higher. If they keep being pinged to up the bid, they are likely bidding against themselves and/or simply being used to squeeze Boston. Hopefully, they are negotiating other deals with players such as Dunn, Hudson, Fuentes, etc. Then when they have those ready to say yes, they can give Boras a best and final offer and say it will be pulled if you don't get an answer in 12 hours. It is idiotic to be strung along by one guy before moving to the next.

[blue911]

Why should Teixeira's camp be in a hurry to wrap up a contract?

[shoeshineboy]

Why should Teixeira's camp be in a hurry to wrap up a contract?

They don't need to be in a hurry, but when offers are on the table and the Ts and Cs of each offerer is known, there isn't much more to do. At some point, you have the highest and best offers you are going to get in hand. And the only thing you are going to get is someone walking away.

[blue911]

They don't need to be in a hurry, but when offers are on the table and the Ts and Cs of each offerer is known, there isn't much more to do. At some point, you have the highest and best offers you are going to get in hand. And the only thing you are going to get is someone walking away.

Boras has stated all along they want 10/200. Given Boras' history, I think you can safely predict he's going to pump up the bidding by any means possible (real or imaginary). I have no idea how sincere the Orioles or Nationals are in winning the bidding war. But Boston and Anaheim have histories of spending big money to sign free agents. Personally I'd offer the 10/200 but that because I don't see another player of Teixeira's caliber becoming a free agent anytime soon.

[MrMadison]

Boras has stated all along they want 10/200. Given Boras' history, I think you can safely predict he's going to pump up the bidding by any means possible (real or imaginary). I have no idea how sincere the Orioles or Nationals are in winning the bidding war. But Boston and Anaheim have histories of spending big money to sign free agents. Personally I'd offer the 10/200 but that because I don't see another player of Teixeira's caliber becoming a free agent anytime soon.

make the bold move.

Offer 10/200m with a 5 year Opt-Out, and a no-trade.  then tell Boras, "I'm offering a deal to Adam Dunn, and whichever of you accepts first is the one we'll take. If Dunn accepts first, your 10/200m is off the table."

it's a very risky gambit, but I don't think we lose either way here.

[spidernat]

I read that Fuentes wants to play on the west coast so he may not even be an option for us any more.

[cmdterps44]

as long as the dunn/hudson thing is an actual move, i think both ways are major benefits, but i agree with blue here that, this caliber of FA won't come soon, and is the perfect piece.

If we can pump up the offer to what can get it done, that would be awesome

[MrMadison]

I read that Fuentes wants to play on the west coast so he may not even be an option for us any more.

yeah supposedly the Angels are his first choice.

[MrMadison]

Lemme ask a theoretical question.

suppose we don't get Tex.

which would you prefer..

Manny on a 3 year deal, with Willingham playing 1B, or Dunn playing 1B on a 5 year deal?

[sportsfan882]

Lemme ask a theoretical question.

suppose we don't get Tex.

which would you prefer..

Manny on a 3 year deal, with Willingham playing 1B, or Dunn playing 1B on a 5 year deal?

Neither. Manny is out of the equation anyways. Nats will not sign an older player like him, especially to a 3-year deal. They are interested in younger players (i.e. Teixeira) that are not only going to help them win now but also in the future. Bowden and Co. have said the same thing repeatedly.

[spidernat]

I would rather have Dunn. I understand Ramirez is a gifted hitter, the type that is rarely seen, but his issues are well documented and he could wake up one morning and decide he just doesn't want to play or decide that he no longer wants to play in Washington and wants to be traded. Because of that, I see him as a risky sign and it's not like we have a ton of great players on our roster to compensate for him doing something similar to what he pulled in Boston. Age is also another issue. I'm not one of the Dunn-ites who worship Dunn because he draws the almighty walk but I think he might be the better option at a better price. This gives us, theoretically, more options to sign other players to fill areas of need (pitching). Of course that's only if the Lerners are willing to use the money they would supposedly save from not signing Teixeira and actually spend it to improve the team's other needs.

[blue911]

Lemme ask a theoretical question.

suppose we don't get Tex.

which would you prefer..

Manny on a 3 year deal, with Willingham playing 1B, or Dunn playing 1B on a 5 year deal?

Could I choose Orlando Hudson instead?

[blue911]

I would rather have Dunn. I understand Ramirez is a gifted hitter, the type that is rarely seen, but his issues are well documented and he could wake up one morning and decide he just doesn't want to play or decide that he no longer wants to play in Washington and wants to be traded. Because of that, I see him as a risky sign and it's not like we have a ton of great players on our roster to compensate for him doing something similar to what he pulled in Boston. Age is also another issue. I'm not one of the Dunn-ites who worship Dunn because he draws the almighty walk but I think he might be the better option at a better price. This gives us, theoretically, more options to sign other players to fill areas of need (pitching). Of course that's only if the Lerners are willing to use the money they would supposedly save from not signing Teixeira and actually spend it to improve the team's other needs.

Dunn hit 40 home runs and walked 122 times last year YET he only scored 79 runs! How the freak does that happen?

[UMDNats]

Dunn hit 40 home runs and walked 122 times last year YET he only scored 79 runs! How the freak does that happen?

The Reds suck, too?

[spidernat]

Dunn hit 40 home runs and walked 122 times last year YET he only scored 79 runs! How the freak does that happen?

This is why mikehughes loves speeeeedddd!!!!!1

[MrMadison]

The Reds suck

Dunn's not going to Boston.

[blue911]

The Reds suck, too?

They score a crap more runs than the Nats.

[tomterp]

Why should Teixeira's camp be in a hurry to wrap up a contract?

I can think of two possible reasons.  One, is that any of the deals they currently have on the table could evaporate if the club gets a better value elswhere, like if Dunn comes to the Nats with a slashed demand, for example.

Secondly, the overall economic climate may undercut some of the bidding clubs, and erode confidence in a big bid by some teams.  Note that the guy in NY arrested this week apparently had among his investees sports team owners, including the Wilpons, and that cash is up in smoke.

So the market could change for the worse by waiting.

[tomterp]

Dunn hit 40 home runs and walked 122 times last year YET he only scored 79 runs! How the freak does that happen?

Nobody driving him in, and perhaps also he was getting pulled in late innings for pinch runners, so his on-base effort pads someone else's run total.

[UMDNats]

They score a crap more runs than the Nats.

That's not hard to do.

But I didn't check the numbers, and I just know the Reds suck.

[blue911]

I can think of two possible reasons.  One, is that any of the deals they currently have on the table could evaporate if the club gets a better value elswhere, like if Dunn comes to the Nats with a slashed demand, for example.

Secondly, the overall economic climate may undercut some of the bidding clubs, and erode confidence in a big bid by some teams.  Note that the guy in NY arrested this week apparently had among his investees sports team owners, including the Wilpons, and that cash is up in smoke.

So the market could change for the worse by waiting.

Teixeira has arbitration as a fall back position. He isn't going to end up with a squeegee on New York Ave.

[blue911]

Nobody driving him in, and perhaps also he was getting pulled in late innings for pinch runners, so his on-base effort pads someone else's run total.

So he isn't a 9 inning player? At age 28 he was already being pulled in close games? That's our saviour? I'd prefer Mike Stanton.

[KnorrForYourMoney]

It's called, "he's not fast."

I'm probably the only person who would take Dunn + Hudson over Teixeira alone.

[UMDNats]

So he isn't a 9 inning player? At age 28 he was already being pulled in close games? That's our saviour? I'd prefer Mike Stanton.

He's pretty slow, so he draws a walk and the manager decides to use a faster runner to try to score. I don't see a problem with it.