Is it really over for Red Sox and Teixeira?

Why haven't we heard from Peter Gammons or Buster Olney on this story? They were reporting that a deal was close.

I'd love to see Teixeira come to Boston, and I still think that's likely. However, he needs to be careful how far he lets Boras go with these negotiating maneuvers. Boston fans can certainly be fickle, and Teixeira really doesn't want to start his Boston career with the fans irritated at him for letting Boras try to squeak a few more bucks out of the Sox. If that's the case and Henry's calling his bluff, I say Well Done John!

There's no way they fly down there without thinking they were in the $ range to close a deal. I don't think this is about money, I think it's about years. Satan is obviously pushing for 10 and Henry isn't going there. It's not over yet.

i don't care if they sign him or not! i think youk is better! lets get those prices on beer in fenway lowered!!! 7.25$ is ridiculous!

Nice to see that John Henry is wise. I'd like to see Teixeira in a Sox uniform as much as the rest of you, but not unconditionally. If you told any of these athletes that they could make $40 million dollars playing the game that they love when they became professionals they would have been delighted if not overwhelmed. Now a player of solid, if not unspectacular skills can earn $250 million over the span of a fifteen year career while fans can no longer afford the experience of attending a game with the family. Logic ultimately will drive our economy and will bring some sanity to the entertainment industry, which professional sports are. I am not misled that hese unfathomable contracts are a thing of the past, but at least the Red Sox management group appears reasonable...By-the-way, the Red Sox do have a plan B, his name is Mike Lowell (likely with a Derek Lowe or Jake Peavy and a few other parts). And Red Sox nation will have its character in tact.

I am a proud REd Sox fan....thank you John Henry for making this decision. To show your fans that there is a piont of ridulous and we already have an All Star team. In todays world greed should be on the bottom of his agent's list. I hope Texeria realizes that he is working with a greedy agent instead of fighting to get him on a aleardy winning team.

The deal is over, get over it!

Sounds familiar to the old A Rod deal, Sox did all the leg work with Texas then couldn't close. Yankees picked up the pieces and put it together. It will come down to the Angels and Yankees. Sox played all their cards.

Tex is starting to put a bad tast in my mouth with his "got to get every last cent" attitude. Either he wants to play for the best organization in baseball or he doesn't.

Why not spend 185mil to a pitcher than a regular hitter? what a waste of money.
60% of winning is in pitching not in a darn stupid tar tester.

They did, not too informative article on ESPN. I agree with Nick, this has to be bluffing. I will also say this is really starting to leave a bad taste in my mouth. Boston fits all of Tex's requirements "winning organization, big money, East Coast" What is he waiting for?
Enjoy losing in DC....

$200 million is nuts! remember when we all thought is was crazy for $100 mil for dice k? boras is just being greedy and unreasonable, per usual.

Sox are playing this right. They put their best offer on the table, and either Boras has one his client likes better or he doesn't. If he doesn't I'd love to be there when he comes crawling back to John Henry.

Beer prices... really? Can't you enjoy a baseball game without getting loaded?

zyte....I agree. How about something like D-Lowe (or Sheets?) AND Bobby Abreu, moving JD to Center next year with Jacoby filling in when he hurts his back on April 7th, for the same amount of cash? Then, when Bay is a free agent after next season, slide Abreu to LF, move Jacoby in to CF full time, Drew back to RF....and still get groundball outs from D-Lowe.

We're heading into the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. If the Red Sox sign Texiera, they'll come to regret it, they way the Yankees will their spending spree. This is just irresponsible.

Who are these 56.6% of people (according to the above poll) who think that John Henry is telling the truth? The Sox may not get Texiera, but this is obviously a negotiating tactic.

Good for Henry. Its ridiculous to think that this guy expects 27 million a year for playing baseball. If the Red Sox gives in what are they going to do when Youk demands 15 or 20 a year in a couple years? Look what Pedroia did. He settled for a reasonable deal because he loves baseball and the Red Sox. This guy didn't even win an MVP. How can the Red Sox explain this deal to Pedroia? He has a higher average and he is busting his butt on the field. I say that if he doesn't like what they are offering good riddance. We don't need greedy people that put the dollar more than the game.

Maybe Scott Boras is trying to be the best for his client? But I think it's time that the athletes get involved. Just like Alex Rodrigues said enough is enough if this is the best offer then Mark should say lets take it. Maybe we can find out that there was collusion on the Manny trade or improprieties and Scott Boras would be banned or suspended from baseball negotiations

Whats wrong with Mikey & Youk at the corners! Tell Borarse to get stuffed

Too much money. I'll take Lowell hitting doubles off the wall for one more year. I say we boycott anyone who has Boras for an agent.

We're gonna have to wait on this one, that's all there is to it. Boras is waiting to see if another team makes a better (probably 10 year) offer, and if not will go back to the Sox. Is there really a rush, unless you were planning on buying a Texeria shirt for Christmas?

I just don"t understand the Red Sox? What are they going to do just let all these other teams just scoop up all the players? Don't they understand that they are in the same division as the New York Yankees, or maybe they just don't car? Maybe they just want to make money off of this team. I just don't understand this type of behavior

I believe this article hit the nail on the head. Boras did something at the meeting and Mr. Henry was not afraid to walk away last night. I find it difficult to fault RS ownership for walking away from the table when these kind of numbers are at stake. At some point you get down to negotiating in "good faith". I also do not believe Tex has shared his desire to play in Boston which might have made any kind of continued negotiations last night acceptable. If it is just about the numbers, and it appears to be just that, then you do exactly what JH did. Well done!

Scott Boras is nothing but a commission pig, who only cares about lining his pockets. The prices he pushes for some of these players is absolutely ridiculous!

The Red Sox are familiar with these contentious negotiations involving Scott Boras. Don't forget that as the deadline loomed in the negotiating window the Sox had with Dice K, Boras basically refused to speak to them knowing that if he waited until the end, he could try to squeeze them. Theo and Henry got on a private jet and flew to Boras' place in Newport Beach and basically refused to leave his doorstop until he sat down and negotiated. Additionally, they knew Dice K wanted a deal done so they appealed the players' preferences which is why they had Tex at this most recent meeting I believe (note how Henry still praises Tex in his statement). I don't think this is done, but I am glad the Sox called Boras' bluff.

As has been said, Red Sox officials would not have flown to Texas unless they thought they were going to finalize a deal, so Boras obviously tried to squeeze them. It will be interesting to see if Boras finds a way to save face AND Teixeira does sign with the Red Sox or goes elsewhere. My hope is that, remembering what happened with Arod/Boras, that this is another sign of the demise of Boras. He and his like are poisonous for professional sports.

Maybe Scott Boras is trying to be the best for his client? But I think it's time that the athletes get involved. Just like Alex Rodrigues said enough is enough if this is the best offer then Mark should say lets take it. Maybe we can find out that there was collusion on the Manny trade or improprieties and Scott Boras would be banned or suspended from baseball negotiations

The Sox cannot get rooked in these negotiations for two reasons. First, they should not overpay when they are already offering a huge amount for many years. Second, they must negotiate consistenly in every case or their future bargaining position with other free agents will be compromised. Teixeira would look great in a Sox hat but only if it makes sense in the bigger picture.

For $200M, we could buy a few of the caribbean nations and then hold the rights to all their playas for the duration!

For $200M, we could buy a few of the caribbean nations and then hold the rights to all their playas for the duration!

Folks, this is simple. It's not over until the following events occur (in no particular order):

1. John McNamara explains why he did not put Stapleton in as a defensive replacement.

2. Jerry Remy acknowledges that "RemDawg" is just a greedy, money-grubbing scam that he and Sean McD thought up in a hotel bar on a road trip years back.

3. Don Orsillo acknowledges that he initially got the job based on his ability to impersonate Sean McDonough.

4. Terry Francona acknowledges that he's relieved that Curt Schilling won't be playing chaperone and player/coach mouthpiece this year.

To be a good negotiator you have to be able to walk away...

Nick, I hope you can respond to this question. I'm not an accountant but I understand that mega contracts such as the one Teixeira will eventually receive involve deferred payments which will spread out 30+ years. At 27 it seems that Mark Teixeira's next employer will be paying him at least until he turns 60. If this is true what difference does it make if he signs an 8 year deal or a 10 year deal? Aren't the deferred payments in place for tax purposes? The length of the deal can't be about financial security if the deferred payments are a done deal. Does a longer contract benefit the player, the agent or is it irrelevant? If Nick doesn't answer the question perhaps one of the readers will.

Thanks,

Spending 200mil does not guarrantee winning. The darn Tampa bay Ray & Rockies almost won the game, their club probally cost a fraction of dough you will pay for the stupid regular hitter Texiera (could be another Manny attitude in the making). Use the money to grand pitcher...that where you win.
Let that stupid Yankee spend all the resources and not win. let them have Manny and Texiera. What a stupid redsox move....stupid!

Word on the street in Tokyo is that the the Tokyo Giants have made an offer that is so big, the purpose of which is to get at least 2 Japanese teams (Hanshin being the other) incorporated into MLB!

I'm surprised that this has not been picked up by any US news or sports agency.

Word on the street in Tokyo is that the the Tokyo Giants have made an offer that is so big, the purpose of which is to get at least 2 Japanese teams (Hanshin being the other) incorporated into MLB!

I'm surprised that this has not been picked up by any US news or sports agency.

I think its a tactic HOWEVER, I think that there is also some truth to it.. John henry and Co will not cripple the future of the franchise for one player. think about how giving Tex over 23mm a year will affect future deals with Paps who is sure to command big bucks, lester, Youk Etc... I say take it or leave it. either way I still think with a solid pitcher and a firm grasp on the Catching situation we will be a solid contender next year.. the Sox have Always done well against Sabathia and Burnett is more fragile than Drew.. soo.. have fun watching half of the billion dollar brothers sit on the bench for the whole season

Let's not forget, John Henry is not some guy who made his money as trust fund baby or heir to a candy bar fortune. Henry is an elite, incredibly shrwed businessman who knows a thing or two about negotiating at the highest levels of international business. I doubt seriously he is ready to bow down to a player agent, even if it is Scott Boras, the most notorious player agent. I think Henry knows what he's doing. And lets face it, this is Teixeira, not Puljos...he's not worth $200 mil.

Is Boras going to race out to the airport again to stop them from leaving, a la Dice-K? Will Theo and Boras arm wrestle to resolve the dispute? Will we get live updates of the Teixeira plane approaching Boston in the blizzard?

Oh the drama! Ah humanity!

Do people seriously believe that the upgrade from Lowell to Tex is worth over $20 mil a year? That's ridiculous. Youk is as good as or better than Tex in every way but hitting HRs. If we give this money to Tex, what do we have to give Youk? I applaud John Henry for doing the right thing here. You are also not kicking a guy who took a discount to play here and can still produce to the curb.

TEX WOULD BE A GREAT FIT! DEREK LOWE WILL PUT US BACK IN THE WORLD SERIES! BORAS SEEMS TO BE THE PROBLEM WITH ALL DEALS. A-ROD HAD TO JUMP SHIP AND MAKE HIS OWN DEAL. I WISH TEX WOULD DO THE SAME!

Let him go. Rent a 2009-10 free agent in July.

I have read all the post, and believe me you are all right. This is blasphemy and i hate Boras' guts for it. Look, Teix's will come back crawling, just give him time. This is where the pause button has been pushed because of greed. I don't even make that much at work goddaaammiitt. To hell with Boras and his money eating clients.

The sox don't need him or his contract. Good for JH, OK Boras the ball in your court put up shut up! There are alternatives especially at 175 mil!

Bet Scott Boras ends up in a federal prison some day for fraud.

This is obviously a negotiating tactic. I'm not saying the Sox are going to sign him, but it is crazy to take any statement from either side at face value during this phase of negotiations.

Red Sox and all major league teams should stop dealing with Scott Boras, and all these greedy and irresponsible agents, such as Arn Tellem and company. What was one America's favorite pasttime has become a greed incorpotation. The Yankees has prove that money doesn't buy championship (and they are still committing the same mistakes). Boras has screwed Boston one too many times, and this has got to stop. Same for the players that have him as their agent. What is the difference between 20 mil and 22 mil? Don't they know that the average American household is working for 2k or less a month? Boras doesn't care about baseball, hand it's time that MLB should not care about him as well!!!!

Business 101 - Perhaps his quote could be viewed as a tactic of negotiating, but this Sox ownship has proven time and again that they stick to their guns. If they set a value for Texiera (and I'm sure they did), my guess is that they won't exceed that value, despite what they're offering in Aneheim. I suspect that Boras is full of sh*t and as someone pointed out above, the Sox fit all of Texiera's supposed criteria. I feel as though this deal still get's done...but what do I know?

who knows what is really happening. until i read a head line that says texeira signs with...im not believing any of it. besides, an offer greater than one that was offered to manny is absurd. the guy is good, for certain, but manny good? i don't think so, probably not even close. who knows? he has never really played for a caliber team like the sox. all that aside, henry is doing the right thing with boras. all that scum bag is trying to do is pinch every last penny out of the sox so he can then drive up the price on manny because he'll be the last great hitter on the market.

Good on John Henry. He is refusing to get punked by that puke Boras. Boras is famous for getting desperate GMs to bid against themselves. If Texeira doesn't sign then the heck with him.

Pedroia settled for a reasonable deal because he wasn't going to be a free agent any time soon. You can't compare his signing to Teixera. There is nothing wrong with what Teixera and Boras are doing here. There is also nothing wrong with the Red Sox showing some fiscal restraint. It will be interesting to see the dominos fall and Teixera go to the Angels and Manny going to the Yankees.

//Beer prices... really? Can't you enjoy a baseball game without getting loaded?//

Depends -- who's pitching?

If he wants more than 8 years he cna go elsewhere... no player is worth gauranteed money for 8 straight years.

We have Youk, the outlook on Lowell has been very positive. You have to expect Papi, Tek and Ellsbury to have better years. I'm more concerned with the Pen. What's going on with Masterson. If he's going to start, that leaves a HUGE hole in the pen.

For those of you here that believe the Sox should not sign Teixeira, I call you crazy! Beer prices? Come on. Beer prices aren't coming down. Ticket prices aren't coming down. What's wrong with you people? You should all be thankful that the Red Sox field a competitive team year in and year out and have delivered 2 World Championships in the last 4 years. The Sox have stocked the farm system and are in a great situation to be competitive for years to come. Landing a gold glove slugging 1B at this stage is critical. Do some research and see what free agents are available over the next few years. You have Matt Holiday. While the Sox don't "need" Teix, this is a baseball player that fits Theo's mold more than any other free agent we've seen during the Henry era.

So Mr Cafardo...When Boras calls back, please do us all a favor and call him the liar we all know he is......What's next? manny has a 5yr 110 million dollar offer from a mystery team?

These players think that just because they can throw and hit a baseball that they have some sort of divine right to make a bajillion dollars. YOU'RE GETTING PAID TO PLAY A GAME. WAKE UP!

Boras is seriously destroying baseball. He has made players COMPLETELY unaffordable to small market teams. All a player has to do now is have one good year and boom, 10+ mil a year. Meaning more than half of the teams in baseball will have no shot at getting them. Now Texieria and his buddy Boras want 30 mil because he's good at hitting a ball. I hate this country.

Bora$ is nuts and is going to ruin baseball. The Red Sox had the best offer and all Bora$ wants is more. Bora$ is the Devil.

You idiots hose Pedroia for his love for the game...are willing to pay megabucks to someone just so the Yankees or Angels don't get them. Just maybe Justin would like a move West or try on the Pin Stripes!

spankee-
I was just thinking about beer, water, soda and peanuts. The owners see no evidence that baseball will be effected by the economy. I think they'll still sell the tickets, but as people lose jobs and homes etc, the priority will not be food items that are outragously priced: $7.75 a beer (with tip you could buy a 12 pack), $4.00+ a soda (buys a 12 pack), $4.00+ for a water (buys a case of Poland Springs. Concerts are no better.

When I first heard Henry's words " we will not be a factor," I took it to mean that the ownership's presence in texas will not be a factor ("we" being Henry et al), as in Texiera and Boras could not be persuaded by a personal visit. It appears that whoever outbid the sox (if thats true) was either washington or baltimore, and I'll take the sox's chances with a lesser offer against two bad teams.

My wish for 2009 MLB season --
Yankee pinheads sign all top free agents...
Texiera, Manny, Burnett, Sabathia, Lowe, etc
Red Sox wildcard T-E-A-M knocks Yanks out of playoffs and wins the World Series.

I think the Red Sox realized they were being used to leverage a better offer from the Nationals because Teixeira really wants to stay close to his family. The Sox have to know that, given their history with Teix., the water was already partially poisoned and now it's fully poisoned. I really do think that they believe they are walking away for good. If the Sox have the best offer on the table, though, you know that Boras will try to convince Teix. to take it, in the end. Something tells me that he won't though. Teix. seems to be stubborn enough to stick with his intial feelings about the Sox.

To be a good negotiator you have to be able to walk away...

The Sox need a big bat in their lineup but have a solid first baseman and would obviously need to trade Lowell if they get Texiera. I would solidify the pitching or look for other options for a big bat. Eight years is a long commitment at $184 million. Let's get a big time shortstop instead!!

Ken K

Boras is a moron, and I think that he just blew his client's best chance to make the most money AND play for a ring. Look at how Boras botched A-Rod's situation, the last time he had a truly elite player up for a long-term deal: A Rod followed Boras' advice and opted out of his original 10-year deal. He announced this publicly on the same day that the World Series ended and undermined the significance of that game. A-Rod then had to eat 20M+ when he resigned with the Yankees, and that deal only got done because he fired Boras and reached out to the Yankees with the help of Warren Buffett and others.

As much as I wanted to see Texeira sign with the Sox, and givve them a fearsome foursome of Tex, Youk, Papi and Lowell (imagine the flexibility that would give them, two gold glovers at each corner, and left/right MVP caliber DH's), I have to take Mr. Henry at his word and stick a fork in this deal. When was the last time that Mr. Henry made ANY public comments about player contracts, aside from the obivous post signing salutation? This guy is not named Steinbrenner, and he is certainly not a blow hard. This is not an impulsive man either, if he went to the trouble of sending out that e-mail, then it is over. I say spend some of that cash on Youk for a long term deal, and perhaps a Lowe and Smoltz.

Pedroia and Youk aren't free agents. They can only negotiate with one team.

"Who are these 56.6% of people (according to the above poll) who think that John Henry is telling the truth? The Sox may not get Texiera, but this is obviously a negotiating tactic."

So based on your logic your opinion can never be wrong. Geez!

The best sport product around is still football, that is because of a salary cap. Baseball should go the same route, then everyone will have a chance. I'm a lifer from Boston and love the Sox (Bucky F&%^& Dent still haunts me), but I'm very tired of spoiled players receiving monopoly money salaries.
Let's turn this game back into a national past time and not a bidding war between 6 teams for the championship.

bad move .. What happened to John Henry? After you get to Jason Bay, Boston needs to add another power bat .. Why? Mark Teixeira. David Ortiz can give 20-40 homerun, Lowell 20-35, Bay 20-35 and 40 because not too .. And adding a bat Teixera this alignment may be the alignment to sell in the American League East. Jhon Come on! Take out the checkbook, investing. The Yankees have been armed, So Boston .. prepare. Hopefully that will give the Red Sox battle and do not go much lower

Tex is very good player but not worth the money he's commanding. Tex in his prime does not compare to Manny in his prime. I really don't want to see him at our 1st base for the better part of a decade. Plus, I'm sure a $180 million contract will boost future ticket prices and concessions. That money has to come from somewhere.

Let's move on...Youk has better numbers and I have more faith in Lowell and if need be, Lowrie at third base until Lowell is ready to return and I mean don't we have the two bigger issues of needing the figure out the catching situation and a fourth starter? If Boras is being ridiculous with this one, I say give Brad Penny or Ben Sheets' agent a call and go find one of the veteran free agent catchers out there for a two year deal while Mark Wagner and Tim Federowicz get there stuff figured out in the minors and lets carry three catchers with Kottaras and Brown for the next two years and for goodness sake, get rid of Lugo and find an additional utility infielder and a fourth outfielder.

This whole process is another example of how this country is upside down.

How much $ do the Red Sox make to be able to do this deal?? They want it done now so all the suckers, who cannot afford it, run out and buy his shirt for a Xmas present and put it on their credit card.

Only in America.

I've been a loyal sox fan since I was 8 years old in 1967. But after a while, all of this gets to be too much. I don't think most of these athletes fathom what 25 million dollars a year really means. Egos become to great.
The business end of this sport, has out trumped the entertainment value for a long time now. It's just gotten way "out of hand".
As for Boras. He's doing what he's suppose to do as a business man. But in this economic climate, I think both athletes and the Agents have no character and have no soul.

Tex is headed to Baltimore. Mark it down.

We just got rid of Manny.........we don't need another "Super Star" ego disrupting the dugout!!! We'll win with or without him!! Get bent Boris!!

"Sounds familiar to the old A Rod deal, Sox did all the leg work with Texas then couldn't close. Yankees picked up the pieces and put it together. "

...and haven't won since...

the Sox will end up with Texiera

10 years ago we would have loved to have these problems. Now we have 2 World Championships, a responsible owner, a great GM, and players (e.g., Dustin) who bust their chops everyday. The Sox have a plan, relax. Enjoy the fact that we have a great team. Enjoy the fact that we have the Celtics, the Pats, and ... (yes even) the Bruins... If Henry says the talks are off -- they're off. The only way this gets done is if Boras changes his mind. The Red Sox reached their limit (remember - they have a plan).

Don't get me wrong, I'm a HUGE Sox, Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, & Revs fan ... been this way since 1966 when I was old enough to follow sports & now live too far away to see them unless they come to Atlanta but I sit here shaking my head at the thought of someone being offered an 8 year contract for ~$180M ... and he can't decide ... HE CAN'T DECIDE!?! Are you kidding me??? Boo hoo he wanted a 10 year contract instead. I mean, WTF ... this is pure insanity ... these are BASEBALL PLAYERS ... adults playing a kids game. They're not stopping global warming, they're not solving world hunger, they're not adding to my 401k ... baseball is a friggin game & these guys make too much money, period. Oh yeah, GO SOX!!! Hey & how about those Bruins & Celtics ... gotta love it.

Yes it's over. The Orioles are getting close to signing Tex.

This kind of thing takes all the fun out of sports. 180 million and that's a problem..for whom? With this economy and so many people suffering honestly if Boras is playing games then I hope Texiera goes unsigned. Look at Pedroia what a class act. 6 million a year because he loves what he does, it is enough for him and his extended family, If only other athletes (and their shark like agents could learn a lesson here. Give sports back to the fans, pay less, lower the ticket prices and the concession prices and let it be America's sport again. Crazy!

For all of you whiners, just take a look 1500 miles south. Tampa Bay Rays won the division last year with a payroll the size of A-Roids contracvct and with MINIMAL increases this year will win it again. Money doens't win pennants, talent does.

Thank you Hoss!!!

let's not forget B.B. was hit by a pitch in the top of the 9th anyways - Stapelton should've been pinch running anyways.

I am amazed at how many delusional Red Sox fans there are who think a one legged cripple Mike Lowell or Big Popup are going to be hitting doubles against the Green Monster while the AL Strikeout Champion Varitek catches again. 2009 looks very bad for Red Sox. Sign Bobby Abreu who has an arm unlike Jacoby, has power unlike Jacoby and hits over .300 unlike Jacoby who can be the spare OF.

Take less money & play for the Sox???
Take extra money & play for the Nats???
Tough call....

DUMBEST MOVE EVER = TELLING MANNY RAMIREZ TO TAKE A HIKE

just remember the last time we signed someone to that type of deal. I asy take care of your own 1st and then rent a hitter at the allstar break. if 175 million isn't enough in these times then both of them should be ashamed of themselves.

It's crazy the amount of money that some teams and owners are throwing at players. It's not only crazy, but it's obscene. And, of course, the ones who eventually have to pay for it are the fans in the form of higher ticket prices and higher prices for food.

Let's see, if Teixiera gets $180,0000,000 (that's 180 million $$$$) over 8 years, that's 22.5 million/year. If he plays 160 games/yr, that $140,000/game. And if he bats 450 times/yr, thats $50,000 per bat !!

His pay for one time at bat is more than most of us sucker fans make in a year !!

When I look at it this way, I could care less if he came to Boston !!

why not make a push to get a catcher from Texas, sign Lowe and call it good. If Lowell is slowed by injury come April make a move during the season. You can still sign Kotasy or Cora.

There is nothing worse than hearing hourly updates, speculation, and analysis of several-hundred-millionaires bickering with soon to be two-hundred-millionaire and his agent.

We have reached the saturation point. I was a sports fan, but each and every day makes me less interested in the business of sports that we are hit over the head with each day. The sports page should be an escape from financial realities. Ugh....

Maybe said Texeria will sign with the Red Sox, Only if you sign Tek too. Go Sox

Maybe said Texeria will sign with the Red Sox, Only if you sign Tek too. Go Sox

"Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor...hell no!"

Would anyone on this blog need another MAN to tell you if you should sign or not sign a contract for $184 million dollars? All Tex needed to say if he is a MAN is someone give me a pen, no matter what team. He's only the hottest player available on the market he's not the best player in baseball, did he get the Angels over the hump last year, that would be a no. Is he needed to get the Red Sox over the hump this year, that would be a no. 533,000 people lost there REGULAR jobs last month, no I want more than $184 Million, sick........

Are you all crazy?! first, you have to get rid of Lowell. sure hes a great player and can hit, but after his injury last year you can never be certain. and besides, hes getting older. Youk can play just as well as lowell. Texiara would be great at 1st and keep are team young. and stop talking about beer. thats stupid. this is baseball.

Forget the Tex deal... Boras is all about over-inflating the price on his clients. If the Tex deal goes through, you had better believe it will be increased ticket prices that cover the cost of that contract. I'd rather see the Sox keep a classy player like Lowell and concentrate on shoring up areas like catching. Tek is a great catcher, but sooner or later the Sox will have to bring in his replacement. In my opinion, the catcher is linchpin for the entire pitching staff, and the success we have on getting that replacement in will have a greater bearing on the team's fortunes than that of a guy who can switch hit and smile nicely for the camera... Beside, I'd prefer that we have player who WANT to be here and not go for the highest dollar...

Tex is not worth more than the deal that Manny got...his stats don't compare...Sox already have Gold Gloves at first and Third...so what is the net advantage in the field.....ZERO...Youk and Lowell OPS are comparable with Tex for a fraction of the money...the Sox are better off over the next 8 years signing hired guns periodically to fill gaps in line up...there are always players on the market that can bat 300 and hit 30 hrs...we just got one from Pittsburg that makes $6M a year....they should learn from the JD Drew deal and walk away...I hope another team blows there payroll on this guy...Sox should got out and spend/trade and commit $15M (Lugo salary dumo + player pay) on someone else that can hit better Lugo at short...I think we can find someone that can hit 15-20 Hrs at short or bat .285....and not make errors...Jed Lowery should be groomed for 3rd to spell Lowell and potentially 3rd base long term...unless in a couple years there is a better hitter available at 3rd, then move him back to short....Tex deal is crazy...sign Bay and Youk to long term deals...that gives Sox ton of flexibility to overpay a hitter each year if they need....but no where near $25M....Good for Henry and Theo...

It's obviously a part of the negotiations. People who are calling the Red Sox "stupid" are just showing how ignorant they are, as if John Henry just ran away from the table crying when Boras called him a "poopie head". These guys are both business men at the top of their field. There dealing with millions and millions of dollars. Both are trying to get the best deal they can. Negotiations ensue.

And stop ranting about how the Yankees will get him and the world will end. First, the Yankees aren't after Tex. If we don't get him, the Angels will. The Yankees are going after Manny, if either of them. Swisher isn't a great player, but they didn't grab him to be on the bench. And they didn't sign him and suddenly remember Tex was in the offing. The Yankees need pitching to avoid another embarrassment. Yeah they picked up CC and AJ, but they also lost Mussina (20 games anyone?), so it's not like they have the old rotation back.

Right now we have a championship team. We would have at least made the WS, if not won it last season, if not for Becket's injury. Injuries happen, but it doesn't take away from the star team we have. We've already upgraded our relief. (We still could use one more solid guy.) We need catching. (but Varitek will be back)

Everyone's desperate for an answer. Whatever happens, will happen. The Red Sox might even save the money for the trade deadline. Who knows, but I'm confident that whatever is going on behind the scenes is not stupid, nor will the outcome approach any kind of tragedy.

I am a hugh Sox fan but in this economy I don't think anyone is worth this money.
Leave the over spending to the Yankees.
This kid is a great player but please let him go.
JG

I think Boras is a greedy snake. Ok, the guy wants to make a living but lets be realistic. If Texiera wants to play games like Boras (if he is), let him go. Bosox doesn't want another prima dona. Send him to the Yanks where he belongs.

Gee, I hope that the next time someone calls my bluff, I still end up with $140, $150, $160 or more million anyway.

The front office may have decided that they've drawn a line, but this isn't a victory over a Scott Boras client. The clinet's still going to get north of $150 million. How does that mean he was "beaten"? Scott Boras's way works for his clients, which is his job - work for his clients.

Personally, I'd be looking more for right fit for my talents and my family (with today's weather, I'm thinking Phoenix looks good); but then again, I'm not in the work culture that measures success in dollars.

I don't think this is about the $$ or the years. It's about the 'opt out' clause after 3 years. Seems like all of Boras' clients want them and the Red Sox said they wouldn't budge. One of the other teams must have included that in its offer so it's a Texas standoff for now. We'll see how bad Texeira wants to play for the Red Sox I guess. If all he cares about is $$$ he's probably gone. If he wants a good chance at winning a World Series maybe he'll come back to us.

We need Blagoyevich to deal with BORAS. Corrupt vs Corrupt !!

You can get another Pedroia type hitter and guarrantee you a playoff.
How many Pedroia type players you can get for 200 mil ???

Plain stupid going after TEX-shytera

Lowell is the best defensive 3B in baseball, Youk is the reigning gold glover at 1B and 3rd in MVP voting, tell me again why we need this guy. He is not a once in a generation talent, not worth 20+ million. Pedroia proves the proposition that heart is more important than physical talent. I would rather have Youk, Lowell and Papi who are WINNERS and WORKERS and good teammates than Tex who I feel plays the game in a nonchalant fashion. Paying 100+ million in this economy is stupid and offensive, esp. when it is unnecessary spending.

Is it possible, just maybe the Big John, Theo, have pushed the price, all along knowing they have no intentions of signing Tiex, for that kind of money? IMO, they have been very smart. We have a great crop of young players coming up and we will be in contention year in and year out because of it WITHOUT paying out over $250 million like some other team. Stay under the luxery tax. Showing class and sticking with players that want to be in a Red Sox uniform. I am not blaming a team for spending, just don't think it's good for all of baseball. But...you can't have a salary cap without having a salary minimum.

SavvyBaseballSmarts needs to grow some baseball smarts.- "Landing a gold glove slugging 1B at this stage is critical". Critical?!??!?!?! Really thought we already HAVE a gold glove slugging firstbaseman already. Catcher is MORE critical. Hard to hold runners on base if the pitcher has to go and chase his pitches because there is no catcher behind the plate. Yes, Holliday would be fine. Lars Anderson should be fine and IF we get Tex, fine. But, he is NOT crucial or critical to our team.
Now, has anyone heard that the Sox have pulled their offer off the table. No? Didn't think so. Still in until that happens.

"Was it over when the GERMANS bombed Pearl Harbor...hell no!"

WTF?!??!?!?! So glad I got my Mass. education years ago. LOL

It's like I said yesterday, the Sox could have gotten Matt Holiday for a 100 million less than Tex, padded their bullpen and maybe gotten another starter. And please,.....no more about Holiday playing in Colorado and the thin air. Hasn't anybody noticed in their shortsidedness that Fenway only has a 315 ft. left field fence. I have noticed that many of Boston's players hit much better at Fenway than on the road. Again, I think Boston made a mistake in letting Holiday go.

Rumor has it that Teixeira is a big fan of the tv show Angie so John Henry is trying to get Donna Pescow to throw out the first pitch on opening day

My MLB wish for 2009...
Yankee pinheads have signed all the top free agents...
TEXIERA, SABATHIA, BURNETT, MANNY, LOWE, etc.
Red Sox knock out Yanks in playoffs and win the World Series!

The Red Sox have a solid and successful strategy, and they have a guideline for this negotiation. When they went above it, they had to say no. Thank goodness they are principled. Teams like the Yankees can be led in deals. So the Red Sox being the most-funded team and the highest offerer, had to say no to set the upper limit for everyone. A negotiation principle and a fundamental of a good deal is the ability to say no. This is not a final negotiation just a pass. On the fact that Boras likely set the Sox up to let Manny out of a deal, it is a good a time as any to boycott Boras for a year etc. due to his tactics. The big money teams will hurt him right where it hurts, in the wallet. I can't think of a deal that a team was happy with, except for the Dice-K deal, where the Sox had the leverage and called the ball. Boras can't get the big money contracts for his clients and then screw the teams before the contracts are up. Unless they let him through inaction.

What has this guy ever won? And why would we tie ourselves up with another Manny contract for 8 years? God bless John Henry if he sticks to his guns and tells Boras to go somewhere else. Go get someone else that can pitch or play in the outfield.Keep Lowell and sleep soundly knowing that you might be able to keep the good players you already have. When 2010 rolls around you will have some cash to do something.

I've been a Red Sox fan since the 40's - just turned 70 - BUT, the bad taste of what $$$ has done to the sport is more than disgusting. Yet, Red Sox Nation will insure a sell out every game in Fenway regardless, BUT if this coming season results in missing the playoffs big time, you watch the faithful howling. I give the teams like the Tampa Bay Rays, their payroll in 2008 was $43,820,598, compared to the Red Sox $133,440,037, a ton of praise. This year, the Yankess are pushing for perhaps over $250 million, but who cares anymore? Certainly not the Red Sox fans, who pack Fenway every game and put up with outrageous prices for concessions. Yes, it sadly is money, money, money

I'm not yet sold on the Sox being out of the running for Teixeira, despite Henry's comments, but I also wonder how much Lars Anderson fits into the equation. He's the #1 prospect with an enormous ceiling and only plays first. It'll probably take him another two years to be MLB ready, but that would take the Sox right out through the end of Lowell's contract at which time Youk could make the transition to third. With Theo's penchant for raising home-grown talent, I've got to imagine he's keeping this in mind since signing Teixeira would mean that they'd have to eventually unload Anderson. Obviously a proven, gold-glove, MVP-quality bird in the hand is worth a ton more than an untested prospect, but it seems that there are too many more good ways to spend their money this offseason with the other lingering issues, namely that they'll likely have to eat money on Lugo's and Lowell's contracts if they try to move both after a Teixeira signing, and then they'll still have the catching, outfield, and end-of-rotation issues. Bottom line, I think having Anderson in development right now gives them a reasonable enough long-term backup plan in case they don't get Teixeira.

Save your money JH, go get Jake Peavy and Derek Lowe.
Let Tex come crawling.

Dave G. -- Don't be too hard on the kid -- while you were getting your Mass. Education years ago, jdb and 40 million others took two hours to watch "Animal House"

I'd rather keep Lowell (who's not a cripple by the way), I love the guy, he's all heart and wasn't the world series and regular season MVP in 07 by fluke, he's had many great seasons. He'll be healed and back to his great self this year. We need a pitcher and a young catcher to learn from Varitek (who we will re-sign). We don't need Tex and I don't want him, he plays without emotion. I don't want a guy like that and no one is worth that kind of money. Lowell is heart just like Youk...those are the guys I want at our corners....not a hired money grubber. I don't want to be the Yankees, we are the Red Sox, not the Yankees.

You fans are amazing. 2 days ago this guy was the saviour of Bean Town. No matter what is cost to get him here he was worth it. "Tex" was a Red Sox, what # will he pick? Yeah!! Now this guy is suddenly the worst person ever to put on a uniform. A greedy mess we would never want on our beloved Sox. Our new hero is John Henry. What a great move John, your so shrewd. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? I hope John Henry can hit a baseball because you'll need him this year.

I negotiate for a living, and Boras has negotiated poorly over the years. I submit as evidence the specific fact that New York asked to remove him from negotiations with Alex Rodriguez, the fact that Boston has apparently expressed concern that messages intended for Texeira actually get through to Teixera, and not least importantly the general ill-will Boras has generated amongst people that pay him - ballclubs and fans. Boras has employed win-lose negotiation tactics; in his world, one side wins, the other side loses. Tactics like saying you have another offer when you don't in order to squeeze the last dollar out of the process generates mistrust and poisons future negotiations. Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me. Boras' tactics are enabled by an overly empowered union as well as an economic trend in his favor over the last 30 years. His tactics are not sustainable in the future.

Teixera is good ballplayer whose value is being overplayed to get the last dollar. Frankly, he will be a disappointment no matter where he goes. He is not even as good as Rodriguez statistically, but now his contract value will overcook expectations. The team that gets him will have the type of relationship that New York has with Rodriguez; the fans are forced to overpay him and they resent it. In these economic times, the average fan will be facing tough times, which will exacerbate the problems.

My (unsolicited) recommendation to the Red Sox is that this is the time to walk away and let someone else pay a 5 star price for a 4 star talent. Also, Boras' tactics are bound to fail in the future due to changing economics at large and in baseball, so it's a good time to let him champion another bad deal... with someone other than the Red Sox.

People this is more an "Entertainment Business" than a "Sport". Boras is not evil personified - just an agent to the "Stars". An agent hired by those "Stars" to negotiate the best contract. Think of teams like the Red Sox, Yankees, Angels etc as your Blockbuster Movies filled with expensive Stars - (and the Tampas of the world as your low budget flick with stars you never heard of.) Both can field a Hit or a miss !!!! For Henry and Company it is a Business - they have a financial commitment to the team with the expectation of a reasonable return on their investment.
Stop all this nonsense about "America's Pastime" - "Fan Friendly" etc --- it is a Business.

Hey Dave G.

Re: "...Germans bombed Pearl Harbor..."

The original poster was quoting Animal House.

Guess you had your head in the books and never watched many movies. LOL.

So, to all of you people who choose to rip Teixeira today.....are you gonna turn hypocrite and gush all over him if he does in fact sign here?

Or will you actually show some consistency and maintain your stance that he is a greedy ball player?

Somehow, I know the answer. Many of you give Red Sox Nation such a bad name. Some of you make it so the rest of us dont want to get lumped in with the hypocrits.

Dave...I guess you never watched the movie Animal House.....lighten up!

Comment #108 makes me wonder if people think about things.
Holliday would NOT cost simply "100 million less than Tex."

Holliday would ONLY be a Sox for ONE year before HE becomes a UFA, and he WILL get a $100 million dollar deal himself. And lest you forget, to ACQUIRE him VIA TRADE would require substantial prospects being shipped out...think some combo of at least 3 of Ellsbury, Bowden, Masterson, Buchholz, Anderson. Not at all cheap...giving up low cost controlled players.

I say, let the Orioles or Yankees or Angels sign Teixiera. It'll be all the more delcious watching those stumblebum teams crater again in 2009!!!

Bosox already have three or four guys capable of 30 HR and 100 RBIs in any given season. What does one more REALLY accomplish. Protection for Big Papi??!! Get him a bodyguard. When Teixiera starts putting up A-Rod numbers, then tell Bore-ass to get back to me.

Boras has done a really god job at doing a bad job for Tex and a really bad job of doing a good job of doing a bad job of doing a good job for Manny...unbelievable!!!!!

Lars Anderson is going to be an excellent first baseman. He projects to hit as well as Teixiera and he'll cost a lot less. As fans, we should always prefer the homegrown, less expensive, talent over free agents. The price of going to ballgames is already ridiculous and has already priced out your average lower middle class family. Stop the madness. If 8 years and $180m isn't enough for Teixiera then I hope he doesn't just walk, but runs away from our offer. It'll show that he's just as mad as this situation.

As a few posters have mentioned, professional sports are an element of the entertainment industry. The top athletes are the stars. I have never heard anyone getting hot under the collar about Jack Nicholson netting around $60 million from the first Batman movie or that John Travolta and Tom Cruise were being paid $25 million for a single movie. Sports entertainment bring in billions so why shouldn't the stars make millions. I see no difference at all between movie stars and star athletes except that the movie stars can command these huge salaries into their 50s and (in some cases) 60s.

BORASS just being BORASS.... what a joke this is becoming... chasing after a really good player with a HERO'S contract.

Dave G – You and the rest of the morons here claiming the Sox should walk away need a reality check. Are you writing the checks these players cash? Besides this year, the Red Sox have raised their ticket prices 14 years in a row. You think that's going to stop because of the economy? Not when Lucchino can always point to the "evil empire" of the NYY and talk about how we need to keep pace. The Sox will raise ticket prices next year regardless of whether or not they sign Teix. Why? Because they can. When you sell out every home game for the last 5+ years, you can set prices wherever you want. It's a little known thing in economics called supply and demand. Maybe that's over your head. In that case, I shall present an argument that you might be able to understand. Let's look at the numbers. Besides the fact that Teix was in the top 10 in every important batting statistic this year and played gold glove caliber defense, let's stack him up against Youk and Lowell to determine who would be our best starting 1B and 3B combination. To make this fair, we'll look at full seaon career averages, so I've removed Youk's 1st 2 years on the Sox as that would make his numbers even worse. Lowell has averaged 128 games per season, Youk 145, Teix 150. Lowell has averaged 468 at bats per season, Youk 545, Teix 569. Lowell has averaged 63 runs per season, Youk 92, Teix 94. Lowell has averaged 18 HRs per season, Youk 19, Teix 34. Lowell has averaged 77 RBI per season, Youk 90, Teix 113. Lowell has averaged 44 BBs per season, Youk 77, Teix 74. Lowell's batting average, OBP, SLG and OPS have been .279/.343/.467/.810. Youk's batting average, OBP, SLG and OPS have been .293/.377/.483/.870. Teix's batting average, OBP, SLG and OPS have been .290/.377/.540/.919.

It is quite clear your best options by looking at the stats are Youk and Teix. Some will argue that it doesn't make sense to pay Teix 20+mm per year and point towards Pedroia's contract as an average of 6mm per as a great deal. Guess what, it is a great deal for both parties, but Pedroia also guaranteed himself 40+mm in case he gets injured and the Sox bought out his arbitration years and 1st 2 years of free agency. Youk would never sign a deal like that because he is 2 years away from striking gold in free agency so long as he maintains his current averages and stays healthy. Youk would be stupid to sign for anything less than 15-20mm per year.

You mention that Catcher is the most critical. Yes, catching is critical, but Tek will be back. Mark it down. With the Sox offering Tek arbitration and Tek declining the offer, they have all but assured themselves of signing him to a 1 or 2 year deal as no team is going to sign Tek to 3-4 year deal at 10+mm per season while also surrendering their 1st round draft pick. I'm not disagreeing that catching is critical, but where are you going to go and get a catcher? Do you think they fall from the sky? You're likely response – Salty or Teagarden of the Rangers? Okay, but what are you giving up to get one of those guys when neither one of them has proven capable of handling a big league staff. Questions also remain about whether either one of those guys will be performers with the bat. Your argument seems in line with your intelligence. Below average.

And Matt Myers – where do you get off thinking you can have Holliday for $100 million less than Tex? He's another Boras client that is 1 year away from free agency. Sure, the Sox could have traded for him, but they would have had to of given up some of their marquee prospects and Theo has spent a lot of time and money building that farm system for the Red Sox. Without their farm system, the Red Sox would not be allowed to make the free agent mistakes they have such as Lugo, Renteria, Drew, etc. Theo can make these big $$ mistakes because he has guys like Pedrioa, Ellsbury, Lowrie, Papelbon, Youk, Masterson, Buchholz, etc making minimums or a few million per year with guys like Bowden, Anderson, Wagner, Bard, Carter, etc. waiting in the wings as reinforcements.

Isn't this similar to what happened with Boras, A-Rod, and the Yankees where ARod and the Yankees actually got a deal doen without Boras after he botched that negotiation too?

The Sox need to stop negotiating with Boras, period. If a player is a Boras client, he is off the table. Its just impossible to get a fair deal with a Boras client, unless you embarrass both sides to the point where the whole thing becomes a farce, and greed is the only word that is left to describe the situation. Why negotiate with Boras when you know that even if you get the player, a bad taste is going to be in everybody's mouth's, from the players, to the owners, to the fans. Its just not worth it. The Sox need to go after non-Boras players only, simple as that. Don't even take his calls, the hell with him.

Comment #33 summed it up perfectly… “to be a good negotiator you have to be able to walk away” (quadropenta). Let’s face it, we can sit here and yell and scream all we want that Boras is greedy and Tex too and this and that. But when it comes down to it, any one of us would do the same thing in Teixeira’s case. If someone offers you “x” amount of dollars a year, and someone is telling you, “Hey, if we wait another week we can probably get more from them” then you sit on your ass and you wait another week. That original offer is not going to be taken away, so there’s no harm in trying to see if you can get more, knowing that if you don’t then you at least have the original amount that you were planning on taking anyways.

Something was said or done at the meeting (probably Boras being himself and telling the Sox he thinks Tex can get a better offer somewhere else if he waits) and John Henry got fed up with it and isn’t willing to throw any amount of money at Tex like the Yanks do to their players. If Tex wants to play for the O’s or Nats then let him go there and lose for the nest 8-10 years. I bet Tex wants to go to the Angels or Sox and is just seeing who will give him a better deal. Apparently, the Sox have offered their best and now it’s up to the Angels to pull ahead. If they don’t, I think the Sox will sign Tex. I can’t imagine that Tex will want to play for a losing team (since he had his only taste of the playoffs last year and doesn’t want to go back to losing). And if the Sox and Angels give him similar offers, it’s his matter of preference as to where he will go, and all speculation has told us he has said he prefers to be on the East Coast. So unless the Angels come out and outbid the Sox by some ridiculous margin, then he signs with the Sox.

The Sox fell short in the post season this year. The offense was somewhat lacking and Papi said they need another slugger. If they don't improve the offense, they will likely fall short again in 2009. If the Sox lose out on Teix by a relatively small amount of money (being cheap), I may not return to Fenway for a while to pay the high ticket and food prices. I wonder if the Sox just try to field a team that will be in the mix rather than field a dominating team. A team in the mix will sell out Fenway, but yield more profit than a more expensive, dominating team. I want a dominating team! I want a 100 win team! The Yankees go all to field a dominating team every year. Do the Red Sox??? The Teixeira negotiations are a test for the Red Sox. Will they show up as cheap or not?

People forget that Boras played one of his greedy games with the Matsusaka deal. The difference is Matsusaka said "enough!" and signed with the Red Sox anyway. Don't any of you remember when Boras was trying to get more money for Dice-K and Dice-K overrode Boras and said "enough" ? For whatever you think and say, at least this Japanese pitcher is not greedy compared with American players. Texeira can over ride Boras anytime and say "enough!" if he wanted to. Bottom line is he another greedy player who thinks he is worth so much money and he is not that good. Check his obp percentage for crying out loud. What did he do during the postseason against the Red Sox? Boston beat the Angels , AGAIN. Where was Texeira, if he is that good? During these very tough economic times where people are losing their homes and jobs this guy wants MORE MORE MORE!

Go to the Orioles or Nationals. Have fun losing ... like A-Rod did in Texas. That's right, losing isn't fun. Good luck.

I dislike Boras as much as anyone does, and I think we're picking on the right guy for the wrong reasons.
Boras is a businessman, plain and simple. That's why he doesn't care where his players play or how happy they are there, his only interest is in HIS OWN COMMISSION. Why else would he be willing to let Tex sign in somplace like Washington?? He's willing to lie to anyone and mislead any player he can to get the most money for them. Why? Because BORAS WORKS ON A COMMISSION BASIS and, do the math now, 5% of $200MM is 2X 5% of $100MM. When the owners and players can figure that out and start making their own decisions baseball will be a lot better off.
Boris is a Pimp, which makes the players who hire him no better than prostitutes. What happened to guys like Schilling who negotiate their own contracts?

I hate the idea of locking up the infield completely over the next 6 years, exactly what a Tex deal would do. Tex's numbers are around those of Youk. Who else might come along in the next 8 that could be amazing?

Baseball needs to wake up to the current environment. Games are too expensive for normal fans. Salaries need to start going down, not up.

It seems to me that Henry would not have made his public comments
unless he knew that no other team had made a higher offer. It's a
negotiating ploy - if it wasn't we'd know by now who the higher offerer(s)
was.

If indeed the Sox gave such a strong offer and Tex declined it, then in my mind he's another A-Rod (grab every penny I can get guy). Boston has made a lucrative offer and its enhanced by playing before the greatest fans on the planet... if Tex wants more, screw him!!! Love Mike Lowell anyway!

I wonder what the cost of a beer will be once they sign this guy? Good for John Henry to stop the insanity here. Too bad he didn't put his foot down when whiney Theo pouted and threatened to quit three years ago. Theo is by far, the most overrated G.M. in the game. He'd make an excellent Director of Scouting, but take a look at his Major League trades and free agent signings, it has been one disaster after another. Henry needed to squash this before Theo made another huge mistake. Was Matt Clement worth the money? Was Eric Gagne a good deal? How did the Jeff Suppan for Freddy Sanchez deal work out? His errors far outweigh his successes, look it up.

We are right where we want to be! A great move on the part of John Henry! The phone lines between Theo and Boras will be burning up if they haven't already begun too!
This comes from someone who has been in sales for 30 years.

Okay #124, I guess we just spend 160 million on Tex, or so we thought before today, and wait for two or three years to let those young players develop. You make a good point but at the same time I don't think we would of had to give up as many as you said. Oh well, it is just a game.

You Clowns! Win two Championships and you think you have a Clue! Two is one more than the Rays one...Blind Luck...Win Twenty and then you can think about being in the same sentence as the Yankees! Teixera isn't going to give your Bum Fans credibility!

Personally, I think this has something to do with Varitek. Remember when we had to take JD Drew from Boras in order to sign Dice-K?

I think Boras pushed for an opt out clause similar to CC's deal. Maybe a lower $ offer has a clause and he pushed to say less $$ with the opt out is better. Sox have never gone for that. Sounds like a good enough reason to stand up and take their $185Mill off the table. Henry said there was an offer the Sox could not match. He didn't say it was due to $$.

Lawyer like Boras is slime leach field!
Why are we voting too much lawyers in our government political system huh? Lawyers put this country down the drain. Next time SOX fans, start voting for teachers, farmers, scientist, doctors or simply an average person. XXFuckyXX the lawyers. I hate them all.

I enjoy reading posts more than Globe's sportswriters. Mazz Should still be at the Herald. Interesting things being said. My take is simple, AROD and Manny (when he wants to play) are in a different league. Teixera is a fine ballplayer but he's lucky the free agent market is weak. Boston can overpay but at some point it's better to let it ride. The majority of fans would agree I believe that 8 is enough. The delta between a healthy Lowell and Teixera is not that great with Lars in the wings. Where would Lars play if Teixera is here? And injuries are always a strong possibility.. I would pay for short term help and pitching and let it ride.

I agree with that its about the opt out clause. I was a Teix guy before reading all this - now I think the $ is way too much - obscene in this economic climate. And I've been wondering how JH is doing with all these hedge fund guys getting killed. Anyone got any info on that?

I am sick of Bor-ass. Good for sox holding to their offer. let him goto baltimore and rot, washington and lose, the angels and be home in Oct or the Yankees where he will be lost among the stars.

From the Frozen Tundra........ STOP! Lowell + Lowe+ a well fed Youk + a happy m****t at second + NO MANNY FORE THE ENTIRE SEASON. Yes folks let's get back to RED SOX bsaeball and away from the $$YANKEE $yndrome.......

Memo to The Moron Nation:

How did your simple minds get so twisted? YOU don't cut the checks, so what do YOU care what ANY player is paid?!!!!!!!

I've been a Red Sox fan for nearly fifty years, and all I've ever wanted was a team that would contend. I do not CARE what the players make, or what the profit margin is, or the book value of the club. I want a contending team - period.

All you half-wit accountants, fretting over the health of JH’s bank account - get a frigging grip! I want him to spend 200 million a year on our team, or even more. I wanted him to get Sabitha, Burnett, AND Teixiera - and I don’t give a rip if he ends up BANKRUPT!!!!!!

I want a contending team, which we do NOT now have, and it will cost MONEY to get it.

I want a contending team even if JH jacks ticket prices, AND the cost of beer (which is a friggin joke as it is) - because THAT’s what a real fan wants!

I can't believe he's been offered $225 for 9 years by the Tokyo Giants. You can buy a lot of sushi with $25M/year I suppose.

Two things, and I am not sorry, are to bring the end of any civil discourse. They are arrogance and complacency. So find a way to get your sorry asses up to Cambridge and over to the Cantab lounge. Why you should be there is not what you should be asking. What you should be asking is why any baseball team should ever win with a single player or with a certain arm. Teixiara is not going to find your fickle championship any more than Mike Lowell is going to find gold in your back yard. I am convinced that a goat in Weymouth will tell me the Cubs are in the hunt better than your extra filthy million bucks are going to win the fifth game of the next ALCS. So get as complacent as Dave Roberts and go with your wrist flicking arrogance next time you want another champion to add to your shelf.

Use the Patriots and Robert Kraft as a comparison. The NFL's model franchise refused to retain its own top players - think McGinest and Milloy - because they were demanding too much. Kraft and co. simply walked away from the table. While this upset fans and teammates at the time, the positive proof was in the playoff - and Super Bowl - pudding. Smart owners like Kraft and Henry know that to remain a perennial playoff contender - and financially stable franchise - you must set your limits and not compromise for anyone. Make your team the envy of its sport and the top free agents will take less to play for it.

If Boras had a better deal somewhere else,Teiexeira would be signed sealed and delivered to the team with the best offer.I really think that Boras is trying to get the Yankees involved in this,because if he does,the price will go up more.i agree with most of the guys in here that say this whole soap opra is getting old.Lets get it done

All of this hoopla over Tex is way too much.
Sox already have a gold glove winning, slugging guy at 1B. Youk had an outstanding season and there is no indication that will change. He is the consummate professional AND Lowell is outstanding at 3rd.

Sure up the pitching and leave the offense alone. Well maybe some center field insurance. Jacoby makes me nervous.

Face it, Texeira, a very good, potentially great player, is the cream of this year's crop of position players because he turns 29 in April and is in the right place at the right time. Hey, more power to him.
He'll do very well for himself, but If the Yanks were seriously going to sign him, they'd have done it by now and he's already played in a pennant race in Anaheim, so it's either Anaheim or Boston or he's going for the bucks in Baltimore or DC and he's played in his last pennant race because they're going to suck for the foreseeable future, not draw and be forced to shed salary and dump talent in order to keep him.
Sox fans have to remember that Manny signed here for the money, but from all accounts Tex is no Manny, so, it's either here or Anaheim and if Anaheim was that interested in keeping him and he was that happy playing there, he'd still be an Angel. He's not. Boston's the best situation for him from a baseball standpoint..
I still say he signs here, but if Baltimore or DC are going to throw money at him and he's happy putting up good numbers for lousy teams like he did in Texas, that's on him, not Theo or Henry.
This is Boras's most desirable client and he's not signed yet. in a tanking economy. As a whole, Boras has overplayed his hand and misjudged the market for his clients. Tex will be fine, but he's cost his less marketable clients some money Tek will be back, but he's cost himself some money by not taking arbitration. Based on past contributions, the Sox should offer Tek 15 mil for two years with an option and he should take it yesterday.