Tex and the Nats...

[cmdterps44]

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=3783590&name=gammons_peter

and

mlbtr

"Gammons talked to a source close to Mark Teixeira who says Tex and the Red Sox are not that far apart. "

[Natskins]

Oh whatddya know, Gammons says Tex and the Red Sox aren't close apart.

What's close apart?

[wpa2629]

why doesn't gammons just put on a sox hat and wave his bandwagon whore sox pom poms while he's at it ---gammons needs to shut his pie hole

[Natskins]

why doesn't gammons just put on a sox hat and wave his bandwagon whore sox pom poms while he's at it ---gammons needs to shut his pie hole

It's disgusting, but unfortunately he's probably right. If Tex and Boston are anywhere close to seeing eye-to-eye on numbers, this thing's over. Our only hope was for Tex to be so insulted by Boston's offer that he had no choice but to take ours. That doesn't seem to be the case.

[wpa2629]

It's disgusting, but unfortunately he's probably right. If Tex and Boston are anywhere close to seeing eye-to-eye on numbers, this thing's over. Our only hope was for Tex to be so insulted by Boston's offer that he had no choice but to take ours. That doesn't seem to be the case.

Why because gammons keeps banging the same retarded drum over and over??  The last we heard from the PRESIDENT of the red sox John Henry was that the sox are NOT A FACTOR ... until I hear otherwise from Henry, why would I take the word of some dottering sox homer over the horses mouth? All this speculation by gammons and his ilk is just their pig headed inability to imagine that someone would actually not bend to the will of the all mighty red sox - it's hubris and it's annoying as hell -- gammons and his ilk need to just shut their pie holes

[hammondsnats]

haha gammons is in love with the red sox. 

i think it's safe to say everyone there will be no news tonight, just more red sox love and talk of how they are the greatest team ever.

[Natskins]

the last we heard from the PRESIDENT of the red sox John Henry was that the sox are NOT A FACTOR

I don't think anyone believes that comment from Henry was anything more than a poker move. If it were just about going after the highest offer, Tex would already be a Nat.

[wpa2629]

I don't think anyone believes that comment from Henry was anything more than a poker move. If it were just about going after the highest offer, Tex would already be a Nat.

Really? And who said it was a poker move -- oh wait -- it was Gammons and his other sox suck off cronies -- Until I hear otherwise from henry, I'm going to take him at his word -- he's certainly more credible to me than the constant retarded speculation of the sox homer media dolts

[spidernat]

[hammondsnats]

http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081220&content_id=3724474&vkey=news_was&fext=.jsp&c_id=was

Teixeira's decision could come soon
Free-agent slugger to choose team this week, source says
By Lyle Spencer and Bill Ladson / MLB.com

Decision day could be right around the corner for Mark Teixeira, according to a Major League source familiar with the negotiations. The source anticipates the free-agent first baseman's highly anticipated announcement within the next few days.

The field of serious bidders from Day 1 includes the Red Sox, Nationals, Angels and Orioles, with the depth of the Yankees' interest still difficult to measure.

The source believes the Red Sox remain in the lead for Teixeira's services in spite of the statement by principal owner John Henry on Thursday night that "it seems clear that we are not going to be a factor." This followed a meeting with Teixeira and agent Scott Boras in Dallas and was, in a sense, consistent with the volatile relationship between Boston and Boras over the years.

"This is going to end the old-fashioned way," the source said, maintaining that money will not be the decisive factor. "He wants to be on the East Coast, and his wife wants to be there. I believe the decision will be based on family and geography."

If accurate, that is troubling for the Angels, who sent first baseman Casey Kotchman and Minor League pitcher Steve Marek to Atlanta on July 29 for what turned out to be 58 games with Teixeira in manager Mike Scioscia's lineup. The final four were in the American League Division Series, a demoralizing setback against the Red Sox. Swooping in to nab Teixeira would be tantamount to throwing salt on still-fresh wounds.

The source places the Nationals second in the Teixeira derby. It is believed the organization has been pitching Teixeira, known for his intelligence at the plate and diligence off the field, on the notion that the club has the potential to follow in the Rays' golden path. On a clear day in D.C., they apparently can see themselves vaulting from worst to first by placing Teixeira in a mix that includes the likes of Ryan Zimmerman, Lastings Milledge and Josh Willingham.

At the Winter Meetings in Las Vegas, the Nationals extended an eight-year, $160 million offer for Teixeira. The source believes the Red Sox offered fewer years, but that the dollars and the exciting lure of The Nation might be enough to land Teixeira.

"If it's based on long term," the source said, "Teixeira will take the Nationals."

There are those in the D.C. media, familiar with Nationals owner Ted Lerner, who think the Nationals are the club most likely to approach Boras' early target of 10 years and $200 million for the 28-year-old switch-hitter born and raised in Maryland.

The Angels, according to an informed source, at least matched the Nationals' eight-year, $160 million proposal at the Winter Meetings but have not upped the ante recently. The Orioles' best offer to find its way into print was for seven years and $140 million to $150 million, and they have said they would consider going higher.

The Yankees continue to hover, as only they can.

Teixeira has been Washington's top free-agent target since the offseason began. Incumbent first basemen Dmitri Young and Nick Johnson have been unable to stay healthy in recent seasons, and Teixeira, who has averaged 151 games per year during his six big league seasons, would be a durable replacement at the position.

Teixeira, who hit a combined .321 with 33 home runs and 121 RBIs for the Braves and Angels this past season, could join Zimmerman in anchoring the middle of a lineup that finished 28th in baseball in runs scored in 2008.

On Saturday, the Nationals agreed to a deal with free-agent starter Daniel Cabrera, formerly of the Orioles, with the hope that he'll find himself in D.C. in a young rotation led by John Lannan and Scott Olsen, who came to the Nationals from the Marlins along with Willingham.

Estimates of Boston's offer to Teixeira have ranged from $165 million to $185 million. On ESPN.com, Peter Gammons wrote that a source said Teixeira and the Red Sox are not too far apart. According to Boras' math, Gammons added, Boston could sign Teixeira, Jason Varitek and Derek Lowe and be close to this year's payroll.

Boras hasn't shed much light on the negotiations since the Winter Meetings. He did respond to Henry's statement after their meeting on Thursday with one of his own.

"The Boston ownership was kind enough to request and travel to meet with Mark Teixeira," Boras said in an e-mail to The Associated Press. "While it was a very positive meeting, Mark was candid and advised he is in the process of making a decision and is now attempting to eliminate teams."

[spidernat]

This crap is nauseating. Choose a team and stop being a freaking drama queen. We don't need a release every time there isn't any news to report. 

[cmdterps44]

This crap is nauseating. Choose a team and stop being a freaking drama queen. We don't need a release every time there isn't any news to report. 

Yea I know, as much as I want Tex, i still hope we are negotiating off the record to atleast get a jump, cause if this crap stalls any longer and a chance that Tex signs with someone else, i am going to personally crap in a package, send it to Boras' house and give him a note with a big freak you to him.

If he freaks us from getting a plan b, well then I will hate everything to do with Boras and Teixeira (hypothetically speaking)

[Nat of the Living Dead]

This crap is nauseating. Choose a team and stop being a freaking drama queen. We don't need a release every time there isn't any news to report. 

I can almost guarantee Boras is just as much behind all this than Teix.

[hammondsnats]

I can almost guarantee Boras is just as much behind all this than Teix.

yeah this is boras' doing.  i can see teix standing by his initial deadline (christmas day), they are just trying to get the best offer.  frustrating for the fans, for the front offices, but it's great for boras.

[spidernat]

Letting players off the hook on this is ridiculous. They are ultimately the ones in charge. I know they like to hide behind their agents (agents don't mind being the evil ones because that's what they get paid for) but they have to be held accountable as well. I don't understand why people are so willing to let these guys off the hook.

[wpa2629]

that's what you get when you make a deal with the devil -- you sign on with boros with the understanding that this is what happens -- you get dragged through the mud along with all the teams who are trying to negotiate with you -- Tex is not stupid -- he knows full well what hiring boros entails -- and he is clearly more than willing to let boros do his dirty dance and lead Tex around by the nose -- both are culpable here -- neither should be let off the hook

[KnorrForYourMoney]

Letting players off the hook on this is ridiculous. They are ultimately the ones in charge. I know they like to hide behind their agents (agents don't mind being the evil ones because that's what they get paid for) but they have to be held accountable as well. I don't understand why people are so willing to let these guys off the hook.

QFT

I hope Boras used plenty of lube on Tex when he made him his nag.

[spidernat]

wpa finally said something that makes sense.   

[wpa2629]

wpa finally said something that makes sense.  

reading is fundamental little man

[spidernat]

reading is fundamental little man

You know how to hit below the belt.   

[hammondsnats]

Letting players off the hook on this is ridiculous. They are ultimately the ones in charge. I know they like to hide behind their agents (agents don't mind being the evil ones because that's what they get paid for) but they have to be held accountable as well. I don't understand why people are so willing to let these guys off the hook.

dude it's a pretty big decision for teix.  where he's going to spend the next 8-10 years of his career/life is a big move.  that's why i'm glad he set the early deadline of christmas (where i'm sure boras would love to drag this thing on for months).  does he want to play for a winner like the sawx/halos or does he want to play for a loser trying to become a winner and close to home (nats and blOws)?

[spidernat]

The decision is big but it shouldn't take all this time to decide. Money is not an issue because the money is ridiculous either place you go. And if you want to play for a winner then it's a no brainer. I know you're a players' guy and you probably have already MARKed TEIXEIRA'd your body.

[hammondsnats]

The decision is big but it shouldn't take all this time to decide. Money is not an issue because the money is ridiculous either place you go. And if you want to play for a winner then it's a no brainer. I know you're a players' guy and you probably have already MARKed TEIXEIRA'd your body.

naw i got too many lerners are cheap and orioles tats on my body already.

fwiw, i'm just in the players corner in this particular case. 

[Nat of the Living Dead]

Letting players off the hook on this is ridiculous. They are ultimately the ones in charge. I know they like to hide behind their agents (agents don't mind being the evil ones because that's what they get paid for) but they have to be held accountable as well. I don't understand why people are so willing to let these guys off the hook.

Because I don't think there is a hook to be let off of. Teix said he wanted to be done with this before Christmas and Christmas has yet to pass. If the 25th comes and goes without this being wrapped up, then yeah, annoyance should abound, but really, this is always how it has been and it's only a "nag point" right now because we are in the thick of it.

If we weren't, we wouldn't give a crap how long he takes.

Patience.

[houston-nat]

Buster Olney talked to somebody in the Nationals organization who said we "absolutely" do not expect to win the Teixeira bidding.