Tex and the Nats...

[UMDNats]

ok, buster olney is a tool. thats one guy on ESPN who definitely hates the nationals

[blue911]

Per MLBTR

Red Sox Made $200 Million Offer To Teixeira?
By Tim Dierkes [December 15 at 2:16pm CST]
Take it with a grain of salt, but we have a report of a report that the Red Sox offered Mark Teixeira an eight-year, $200MM deal.  Earl Bloom of the Orange County Register heard ESPN's Dan Patrick say it on his radio show.  It'd be best to treat the report with skepticism until it's confirmed by another source.

Note: They made no attempt to contact Dan Patrick.

[HalfSmokes]

If true, time to talk to Dunn's people, but nonone else is reporting this

[tomterp]

Per MLBTR


Note: They made no attempt to contact Dan Patrick.

Update:

2:34pm: A reader who heard the show says Patrick was only speaking in the hypothetical with the $200MM figure, so Bloom's post may be inaccurate.  This is why I typically avoid radio reports unless I hear them myself...sorry about that.

[DPMOmaha]

Per MLBTR


Note: They made no attempt to contact Dan Patrick.

They'd have a tough time getting ahold of him if they tried to contact ESPN anyway.

[hammondsnats]

there's no way a team offers teix $25 mil a year, wasn't surprised to see that get quickly shot down.

[blue911]

there's no way a team offers teix $25 mil a year, wasn't surprised to see that get quickly shot down.

I would. That's what the MASN deal pays the Nats. Not only would I offer it to Teixeira, I would publicly state that I'd offer more if the MASN deal was bigger.

[HalfSmokes]

I would. That's what the MASN deal pays the Nats. Not only would I offer it to Teixeira, I would publicly state that I'd offer more if the MASN deal was bigger.

and then we'd be the only team without local TV revenue, though it would be nice to ask Angelos to just make the checks directly out to Tex

[blue911]

and then we'd be the only team without local TV revenue, though it would be nice to ask Angelos to just make the checks directly out to Tex

That would work just fine for me. Come to think of it I'd prefer to have Angelos sign Teixeira's check to pay here.

[blue911]

Have I mentioned recently how much I dislike Angelos?

[natsfan4evr]

The Red Sox are idiots if they offered him that much. They should try to low ball him for as much as they possibly can.

[wpa2629]

The Red Sox are idiots if they offered him that much. They should try to low ball him for as much as they possibly can.

I would be shocked if they did this --- they don't have to bid higher than anyone really --  they're the most attractive in terms of intangibles -- the ability to win now -- if Tex wants to win now - he'll go there, if he doesn't, he'll go to the highest bidder ... that's how I see this playing out ...

[Natskins]

The $200 million offer from Boston appears to be BS, but regardless...at this point, I just hope Tex goes anywhere but Baltimore.

If he comes here, I'll be doing backflips. But if he doesn't, I'm reasonably confident that we'll put that money to good use on other players. I just don't want Angelos or the O's fans to have the satisfaction of getting the player they want.

[HalfSmokes]

I would be shocked if they did this --- they don't have to bid higher than anyone really --  they're the most attractive in terms of intangibles -- the ability to win now -- if Tex wants to win now - he'll go there, if he doesn't, he'll go to the highest bidder ... that's how I see this playing out ...

Keep in mind the Boston fan base. It depends on if he wants a private life, he'd be an idiot to go to boston. When I lived there, the Sox players were treated like celeberties complete with stories about families, not the kind were get here organized by the team centered around a hospital visit. ZImmerman, the face of the team, could probably go out to most bars in DC unrecognized, Manny Delcarman couldn't do the same in Boston.

[blue911]

Keep in mind the Boston fan base. It depends on if he wants a private life, he'd be an idiot to go to boston. When I lived there, the Sox players were treated like celeberties complete with stories about families, not the kind were get here organized by the team centered around a hospital visit. ZImmerman, the face of the team, could probably go out to most bars in DC unrecognized, Manny Delcarman couldn't do the same in Boston.

You've been reading my mind. How many pro athletes really want the "Every game's a playoff" mentality over a 162 game season? Does he want his wife and kids exposed to the intense scrutiny that comes with being the highest paid Sawx? The Red Sox have already won a pair of titles, nothing Teixeira can do will ever top the 2004 WS title in Boston. He has a better chance of ending up being the Boston version of Alex Rodriguez (best player but hated because he isn't a "true red sox") than a Red Sox icon.

[wpa2629]

You've been reading my mind. How many pro athletes really want the "Every game's a playoff" mentality over a 162 game season? Does he want his wife and kids exposed to the intense scrutiny that comes with being the highest paid Sawx? The Red Sox have already won a pair of titles, nothing Teixeira can do will ever top the 2004 WS title in Boston. He has a better chance of ending up being the Boston version of Alex Rodriguez (best player but hated because he isn't a "true red sox") than a Red Sox icon.

All good points

[DPMOmaha]

I have a question.  If the Nats became good, like playoff contention almost yearly making it somewhat regularly and a player on the market for the highest FA's.  Would the fishbowl intensify for the players?  It's not a big deal right now because they're not very good and no one's paying attention but if that changed how much more attention would they get?  I know the Redskins are a big deal in Washington and I'm sure they live pretty scrutinized lives.  When the Caps or Wizards were in contention recently was that an issue? 

[natsfan4evr]

You've been reading my mind. How many pro athletes really want the "Every game's a playoff" mentality over a 162 game season? Does he want his wife and kids exposed to the intense scrutiny that comes with being the highest paid Sawx? The Red Sox have already won a pair of titles, nothing Teixeira can do will ever top the 2004 WS title in Boston. He has a better chance of ending up being the Boston version of Alex Rodriguez (best player but hated because he isn't a "true red sox") than a Red Sox icon.

Tex does seem like a guy that doesn't want the attention. You rarely hear about him in the news. If he wants to stay out of the limelight, DC is the place to be.

[HalfSmokes]

I have a question.  If the Nats became good, like playoff contention almost yearly making it somewhat regularly and a player on the market for the highest FA's.  Would the fishbowl intensify for the players?  It's not a big deal right now because they're not very good and no one's paying attention but if that changed how much more attention would they get?  I know the Redskins are a big deal in Washington and I'm sure they live pretty scrutinized lives.  When the Caps or Wizards were in contention recently was that an issue? 

When I lived in Boston, people would approach them in restraunts, everyone knew where certain players lived where certain players liked to hang out and Maritial problems and affairs were reported as well as dating for certain players (mostly Paplebon). I haven't really seen the skins get that kind of coverage.

[DPMOmaha]

Just heard on Sportscenter on ESPNRadio that Tex spoke with someone at ESPN (can't remember who he said, Kirkjian maybe, sorry, I really don't remember, but it wasn't Kruk or Olney, I do know that) and said he's close to a decision and is very interested in playing close to home.  Take it for what it's worth.

[natsfan4evr]

Just heard on Sportscenter on ESPNRadio that Tex spoke with someone at ESPN (can't remember who he said, Kirkjian maybe, sorry, I really don't remember, but it wasn't Kruk or Olney, I do know that) and said he's close to a decision and is very interested in playing close to home.  Take it for what it's worth.

PLEASE don't do this to me.
I'm still young, but I don't need a heart attack.

[DPMOmaha]

Don't shoot the messenger...just reporting what I heard. 

[PANatsFan]

Just heard on Sportscenter on ESPNRadio that Tex spoke with someone at ESPN (can't remember who he said, Kirkjian maybe, sorry, I really don't remember, but it wasn't Kruk or Olney, I do know that) and said he's close to a decision and is very interested in playing close to home.  Take it for what it's worth.

It makes a big difference. Kurkjian is a hell of a reporter (he even likes the Nats!)

[MrMadison]

PLEASE don't do this to me.
I'm still young, but I don't need a heart attack.

seriously....

[PANatsFan]

I have a question.  If the Nats became good, like playoff contention almost yearly making it somewhat regularly and a player on the market for the highest FA's.  Would the fishbowl intensify for the players?  It's not a big deal right now because they're not very good and no one's paying attention but if that changed how much more attention would they get?  I know the Redskins are a big deal in Washington and I'm sure they live pretty scrutinized lives.  When the Caps or Wizards were in contention recently was that an issue? 

I don't think the Redskins have it anywhere near as bad as say, the Patriots. Friends of friends have seen Redskins players in bars and they seemed happy. Politics will stilll be king, followed by the Redskins.