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Yankees agree to terms with Teixeira

Posted by Chad Finn, Globe Staff December 23, 2008 05:41 PM

Mark Teixeira won't be signing with the Red Sox after all. In fact, what some might consider the worst-case scenario has suddenly become a stunning reality -- the slugging first baseman has decided to join the Red Sox' fiercest rival, the New York Yankees.

The Globe's Adam Kilgore and Nick Cafardo have confirmed reports that Teixeira, a remarkably consistent 28-year-old switch-hitter who has hit 203 home runs in six seasons in the majors, has reached an agreement today to join the Yankees. SI.com's Jon Heyman and ESPN's Buster Olney simultaneously broke the news earlier the player and the club had come to terms on an eight-year, $180 million deal, with Heyman also reporting that Teixeira received a full no-trade provision.

The Red Sox were considered by many to be the front-runner for Teixeira, with the Washington Nationals also reportedly the other finalist. But the Yankees, who were believed to be on the periphery while other teams, including the Baltimore Orioles, pursued Teixeira, made their move today, bringing to an end what seemed like a drawn-out process by Boras and the player.

The Red Sox met with Teixeira late last week at the player's Dallas-area home, and reportedly made an offer for eight years and approximately $170 million. Red Sox owner John Henry sent an e-mail to reporters after the meeting with Teixeira and his agent, Scott Boras, saying that it seemed the Red Sox were not "going to be a factor" in the hunt for Teixeira. But the offer remained on the table and the Red Sox were still considered serious suitors, even the favorites, as recently as this afternoon. The Herald's Sean McAdam reported late this afternoon that the Red Sox slightly upped their offer yesterday, but after being stonewalled in their attempts to get a straight answer from Boras last night and this morning, they tried to set a hard deadline for the deal to be accepted after becoming convinced that their offer was being shopped elsewhere, possibly to the Yankees.

According to a report in the New York Daily News, the Yankees became more interested in Teixeira only after the Red Sox couldn't close the deal on their visit and the Los Angeles Angels announced Sunday night that they would no longer attempt to re-sign him. Wrote the Daily News's Bill Madden: "It was then learned that Teixeira had favored the Yankees all along and according to sources he conveyed that to them this week." Madden also reported that Teixeira received a $5 million signing bonus, bringing the contract's full value to $185 million.

Teixeira's deal raises the Yankees' offseason spending spree to $423.5 million. Just last Thursday, the Yankees completed agreements with two highly prized pitchers, giving CC Sabathia a $161 million, seven-year contract and A.J. Burnett an $82.5 million, five-year deal.

Preparing to move into their pricey new ballpark, the Yankees will hold the four largest contracts in the sport as they try to win the World Series for the first time since 2000. Third baseman Alex Rodriguez has baseball's highest deal at $275 million over 10 years, and shortstop Derek Jeter is second at $189 million over 10 years.

Teixeira's agreement came just one day after the Yankees received a $26.9 million luxury tax bill for 2008, when their streak of 13 consecutive playoff appearances ended. But with the revenue from their new stadium, where tickets are priced at up to $2,500 per game, their appetite for free agents wasn't diminished.

Neither the Orioles nor Nationals, two teams close to Teixeira's hometown of Severna Park, Md., could lure the free agent prize.

"We would have loved to have had the player, who appealed to us because of the special circumstances of where he's from and where we are. We diverted from our plan to try to get him," said Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail. "But at the end of the day, it was just too much to pay for one player. It would handicap our ability to go forward."

The Washington Nationals also held talks. General manager Jim Bowden said his team's owners "demonstrated their commitment to win, when they stepped up in negotiations ... at the highest level."

"We are disappointed we weren't able to sign him," Bowden wrote in an e-mail to the Associated Press, "and will now turn our attention to several other opportunities to improve our major league club this offseason."

It is not the first time in recent seasons that the Yankees have swooped in and acquired a player on the Red Sox' radar. Following the 2003 season, the Rangers agreed to trade superstar shortstop Alex Rodriguez to the Red Sox, but the deal was vetoed by the Players Association because it called for a voluntary reduction in salary. As the deal stalled, the Yankees moved in and acquired him for a package that included second baseman Alfonso Soriano on Feb. 13, 2004.

In December 2005, the Yankees signed popular Red Sox center fielder Johnny Damon to a 4-year, $52 million contract after Boston management, skeptical about Boras's claims that he had a lengthier offer in hand, refused to offer a deal longer than three years. Rodriguez, Damon, Teixeira were all represented by Boras at the time of their respective negotiations.

Teixeira batted .308 with 33 homers and 112 RBIs while splitting the 2008 season between the Atlanta Braves and the Angels.

Material from the Associated Press was used in this report.

1178 comments so far...
  1. Insanely stupid of the Sox to let Tex go to the Yankees. Is Henry just gutless at the moment of truth?

    Posted by brad December 23, 08 03:29 PM
  1. g*d do i hate the yankees.

    Posted by fletch f fletch December 23, 08 03:30 PM
  1. oh good grief! Even more of a reason to hate the Skanks. They cry to the city that they need more money but they can spend 360 million on 2 players in the last month! Go screw SKANKS!

    Posted by Tom December 23, 08 03:30 PM
  1. Please let this be true. The Yankees will be paying 3 good players over $50 million for the next 5 years. You couldn't ask for a greater misuse of capital.

    Posted by FredSox December 23, 08 03:30 PM
  1. oh good grief! Even more of a reason to hate the Skanks. They cry to the city that they need more money for their new stadium, but they can spend 360 million on 2 players in the last month! Go screw SKANKS!

    Posted by Tom December 23, 08 03:31 PM
  1. If this is true, it sounds like we don't want this guy in our clubhouse anyways...

    Posted by justin December 23, 08 03:31 PM
  1. miserable....

    Posted by Jonathan December 23, 08 03:31 PM
  1. This is RIDICULOUS. I was hoping so badly to be able to root him on for years to come and the Jokees come along and swoop him up.

    The management really let this one get away...

    Posted by UGH December 23, 08 03:31 PM
  1. I guess I won't be renewing my MLB package!!! Not a good day for Boston Baseball. Is Manny next?????

    Posted by SAND December 23, 08 03:32 PM
  1. Well this is typical. Just like the A-Rod deal years ago - It is amazing - AMAZING to me how many times reports come in that the Sox have landed a huge free agent and then he slips away. I can't stand the free agent speculation! I have free agent blue b*lls once again!

    Posted by Jeremy December 23, 08 03:32 PM
  1. great. Now go sign a pitcher

    Posted by gp December 23, 08 03:32 PM
  1. John Henry blew it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Posted by Stunnedsoxfan December 23, 08 03:33 PM
  1. Sox are looking like a third place team right about now.

    Posted by Kevin December 23, 08 03:33 PM
  1. Dear God, please kill me now...

    Posted by Erik December 23, 08 03:33 PM
  1. I can't believe it, but at the same time I don't know why I didn't see this coming.

    Posted by JJ the Great December 23, 08 03:33 PM
  1. Hahahahahahahaha!
    Sox will bleed ! Poor soxcky

    Posted by chupa December 23, 08 03:33 PM
  1. ....INSTEAD OF COMPLAINING, JUST STOP GOING TO GAMES!!!! ITS THAT SIMPLE....

    Posted by ERIK December 23, 08 03:34 PM
  1. Good!
    Watch him go down in flames like all the other free agent signings the Yankee's have done in recent years......Thoughts of Pavano, Giambi, Kevin Brown, Arod.......maybe the Sox were driving the price up on Tex for the Yankee's?? LOL

    Posted by steven December 23, 08 03:34 PM
  1. Par for the course. Should we call him 'T-Rod'?. The Yankees will never win another championship! They will soon realize that, while they have the best "individual" players, they are far from having a "team"!!

    Posted by Rey December 23, 08 03:34 PM
  1. Insane. Sox drag their feet (like with A-Rod) get fans all excited and frustrated. Talks linger for what seems like years and BOOM! Yanks come in with an offer, and a deal in a few hours. WTF?

    Posted by Jimmy December 23, 08 03:34 PM
  1. This is twice in his career he has dumped on the Sox. I pray he's the next ARod come playoff time. Shore up the rotation and bullpen and strap yourself in. Its gonna be a bumpy ride.

    Posted by ddoige December 23, 08 03:35 PM
  1. Way to go John Henry! For an extra 10 mill we are now bound to mediocrity for 8 more years!

    Can you say the MLB needs a salary cap ????

    The yankees will win atleast 5 WS in the next 8 years!

    Boooorrrrrinnngggg ! Buh Bye MLB

    Posted by JohnHenry=Fool December 23, 08 03:35 PM
  1. Bahahhaahahahaha suck on that John Henry

    Posted by Hank Stein December 23, 08 03:35 PM
  1. Post and Times are quoting Yankee execs

    Posted by Bill December 23, 08 03:35 PM
  1. Way to Blow this one front office. All I can Say is wow someone needs to get there head out of there you know what.

    Posted by J(windsor)ct December 23, 08 03:35 PM
  1. The Yankees finally have a team that ranks with the Red Sox. Remember next year has free agents as well. Keep with the youth movement. Sign Lowe if his price is right.

    Posted by Islamorada December 23, 08 03:35 PM
  1. Really gotta say this...there isn't very much reason for any baseball fan short of being a slimeball Yankees fan to watch next season. At all. Completely jaded how this is even allowed.

    Posted by quixand December 23, 08 03:36 PM
  1. Ahahahaaahha, awesome! I knew we wouldn't get this hamsled!

    Posted by Uncle Leo December 23, 08 03:36 PM
  1. The Evil Empire strikes again!

    Posted by Burnsy2000 December 23, 08 03:36 PM
  1. The 2009 Yankees=2008 Tigers

    Posted by LaughingAtThis December 23, 08 03:36 PM
  1. First

    Posted by Mark Tex December 23, 08 03:36 PM
  1. ARE YOU KIDDING ME???????????????????????????????????? How could they let this happen? Isn't that the SAME deal the Sox had on the table??????????????????????????????????????????

    OMG - I want to jump off a bridge.....! Yankees are instantly the favorites in the AL East for 2009.....ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Posted by Adam Z December 23, 08 03:37 PM
  1. Good move, I think Manny would have driven them nuts. Where's Manny going? Who wants to deal with his crap?

    Posted by Denis December 23, 08 03:37 PM
  1. So much for Cashman being a "straight-shooter" who wouldn't lie.
    Can't let the pinstripes outflank them on this or Lucchino and Epstein look like chumps. Who then boys? Manny?
    Oh that's right, I remember the refrain from last August, "We don't NEED another power hitter."
    What a joke.

    Posted by Disgusted in Cmass December 23, 08 03:37 PM
  1. So now he's a stepford player........I'd rather play little league my whole life than wear pinstripes .............

    Posted by noyanks December 23, 08 03:38 PM
  1. They will have the four highest paid players in the game. One word....DISGUSTING!

    Posted by Tim December 23, 08 03:38 PM
  1. way to drop the ball, sox management

    Posted by Ernie D December 23, 08 03:38 PM
  1. Of course.

    Posted by DaveR December 23, 08 03:38 PM
  1. Ha! It worked....we drove the price up on the yanks AGAIN!!! Who would pay that much for a guy who's never finished in the top 5 of MVP voting? Plus Boras's market for Manny most likely just shrunk.

    Posted by Ush December 23, 08 03:38 PM
  1. No surprise. You could see this coming all along. Yanks taking Tex destroy the Sox options, as the only other hitting option would be Manny. Still, this will turn as just more money wasted by the Yankees. The Sox can and will compete, despite the bandwagon fan frenzy which will come out of this and the lashing out at Theo and Co for not pulling the trigger. Lowell will be healthy, we still have a solid lineup (Pedey, Youk, Lowell, Bay, J.D. (if healthy)) and if Ortiz returns to form, there's little to worry about.

    Posted by AJ December 23, 08 03:39 PM
  1. miserable....

    Posted by Jonathan December 23, 08 03:39 PM
  1. The Red Sox are losers for not stepping up and signing Tiexeira, and this will be one of the biggest blunders in this ownerships history. They can't come up with more than 20 mil and change for this guy? What are they thinking, what they will be thinking is why they didn't sign him everytime he comes up to bat in Fenway for the next 8 years. IDIOTS!!!!!!

    Posted by John Mule' December 23, 08 03:39 PM
  1. Better check with Mazz on this--he's in on all deals in baseball--the guy really gets it .

    Posted by stan4444 December 23, 08 03:39 PM
  1. that figures. spend your heart out, NY

    Posted by clockerchops December 23, 08 03:39 PM
  1. It figures, I hope he ends up like A-rod.

    Posted by Cynthia Semsel December 23, 08 03:40 PM
  1. ...crap...

    Oh the boos at Fenway this summer.....

    Posted by yanksHATA December 23, 08 03:40 PM
  1. Simply awful

    Posted by Darryl December 23, 08 03:41 PM
  1. Good !!! I will enjoy it when the Yankees fall flat on their faces after spending all that money. I would rather keep Mike Lowell around. Now the Sox should stick it to Boras by not signing Varitek. They should pass on Lowe too and try to trade for Peavy instead. Teixeira just became the most despised Yankee.....move over A-Rod.

    Posted by Russ in Methuen December 23, 08 03:41 PM
  1. Yankees will be bankrupt in 8 years. They have too much salary and too much debt to be able to continue this spending in the current economy. New York City is the epicenter of the financial crisis. 8 years the Yanks will be in Chapter 11 or sold outright.

    Posted by John F. December 23, 08 03:41 PM
  1. I'm reminded of how I felt after the Yankees stepped in and grabbed A-Rod --- how can they not be prohibitive favorites to win? But how many WS titles did that A-Rod deal bring the Yankees and how many WS titles have the Red Sox won since then?

    Posted by rickterp December 23, 08 03:41 PM
  1. disgusting!

    Posted by nick December 23, 08 03:41 PM
  1. how depressing....

    Posted by Chris December 23, 08 03:42 PM
  1. I'm going to be sick...

    Posted by TBC December 23, 08 03:43 PM
  1. Holy drunken republicans! The Yankees are going to be spending about 130 mill to pay 6 guys this year! Unbelievable.

    Posted by BobF December 23, 08 03:43 PM
  1. Jerkwater burg.
    Un-believable. WTF? All nasty thoughts flooding in. "Keep the faith" mantra is quickly losing its appeal...

    Posted by Ownership Sucks December 23, 08 03:44 PM
  1. Sox have fallen behind Tampa Bay and now NYY. Time for something bold. How about:

    Lowell, Bucholz, Del Carmen a pitching prospect and Bay to Texas for Josh Hamilton, Salty and Hank Blalock. Blalock could man 1B until Lars Anderson is ready, Yuk moves to 3B and Josh Hamilton to Left. Personally I think Hamilton is becoming the best player in the game, and IMO a bigger impact bat than Tex. One on par with Manny.

    Posted by Paul December 23, 08 03:44 PM
  1. My hatred for the Yankees has softened over the past few years; however I am starting to feel a strong rebirth of hatred rumbling in my stomach. Or am I just suffering from the fact that the Sox squabbled over a little bit more than 1 million per year for Teixeira?

    A full on hatred of the Yankees will be fun again, I may even look for my old Yankees Suck T-shirt.............Probably not..............

    Posted by The Big Jim Show December 23, 08 03:45 PM
  1. ohhhhhhhh, that's going to leave a mark...

    Posted by Tim Kilroy December 23, 08 03:45 PM
  1. Way to go Theo, John Henry, et al!

    Posted by Jeff December 23, 08 03:45 PM
  1. Looks like the Babe Ruth curse is back again. Boston pulls out so the Yankees swoop in. Looks like they really want to win. And to think that the press kept on saying that the Sox were the "front runners." That's what the pro-Boston writers like Gammons kept telling everyone.

    Posted by Soxy December 23, 08 03:45 PM
  1. It would make sense. Manny isn't coming back to Boston. The scenario where the Yankees get Teixeira and the Sox get nothing makes more sense then countering the Sox signing Teixera by then signing Manny.

    Posted by Chip December 23, 08 03:45 PM
  1. Unbelievable

    Posted by maze4muz December 23, 08 03:46 PM
  1. oh that just great!!!!! damn!!!!!

    Posted by soonersox December 23, 08 03:46 PM
  1. Makes me sick to my stomach. If they get Manny too, I'm moving to Canada. What's another 75 Million!!??!! Let not panic. Theo and the boys surely won't. Lets see how we respond. We still have the deeper, more injury free rotation and some money to spend ourselves.

    Posted by RB December 23, 08 03:46 PM
  1. No Mark Teixera, no Manny Ramirez, that leaves......Julio Lugo. Yeah, he's just as good. I'd take Julio Lugo anyday over the best 2 players in baseball.

    Posted by Colin December 23, 08 03:46 PM
  1. Way too much money. Way too many years. Thank God the Sox didn't feel the need to outbid the Yankees for this guy. Huge mistake.

    Posted by david December 23, 08 03:46 PM
  1. Theo..... getting that insecure feeling. Unfortunately no Manny/Ortiz combo to bail you out of trade blunders. Thinking deep inside...... may be may be we should have sit down with Manny and told him either we would pick two years option or not. Your Ego didn't allow....!!!
    All Theo apologist blame Manny as if FO did nothing wrong.Manny produced for 7 years his contribution warranted better appreciation from FO. I hope this not another drought.

    Posted by Dan December 23, 08 03:46 PM
  1. Is Manny still available?

    Posted by Todd December 23, 08 03:46 PM
  1. Highest ticket prices in Major League Baseball and the Sox let another prize free agent go to NY. Merry Christmas.

    Posted by Paul December 23, 08 03:46 PM
  1. I am done with baseball. I can't watch a sport that has such a disparity in payroll where one team spends so much more than even the second highest team. The Yankees continue to make a mockery of this sport. The Red Sox are not inocent in all this, but come on, the Yankess are forming a fantasy baseball team.

    Posted by Bryan December 23, 08 03:46 PM
  1. Are you kidding me!!!!! !@#$@#$$

    Posted by Dana Dill December 23, 08 03:47 PM
  1. Typical Yankee BS.....hope he chokes on the extra cash. Reminds me of the Giambi signing, we all remember how that turned out.

    Posted by Andrew December 23, 08 03:47 PM
  1. Look for a flood of Yankee yahoos on this site to crow that they have now sewed up the World Series. Unfortunately for them, baseball is played in the summer - and not on blogs.

    Sox did exactly the right thing in not taking the bait. In perspective, they are successfully building from within (Lester, Youk, Pedroia, etc.). The Yankees are NOT enjoying similar success (Cabrera, Cano, etc.). Thus, they have little choice but to be Boras' b•tch.

    And I don't think this is something Cashman wanted to do, either. This has Steinbrenner 'wisdom' writ all over it.

    Yankee fans should celebrate whatever they think they've 'won', while they still can. But I remember all the crowing over A-Rod's signing, too. Not to mention Damon. All I can say is: Show us A-Rod's rings, third-placers!

    Francona and the front office will say they like their team and their prospects and their chances. So do I. Tex will improve the Yanks, no doubt about it. But then, he improved the Angels, too, didn't he?

    Posted by Mister Snitch December 23, 08 03:47 PM
  1. So we all get hosed courtesy of the Scott Boras Idiot Machine...maybe they should just trade for players of quality caliber, get rid of Clay before is stock plummets faster than the recent gas prices...
    Problem you have now Red Sox, you need to counter with something fantastic FAST or the lifelong Red Sox fans will think you are just giving up on trying to be more competitive against the Rays and Yanks.

    Posted by A disappoint Sox Fan December 23, 08 03:47 PM
  1. This was predictable. After Henry blustered about not going beyond 170 million the Yanks up the ante slightly to 180 million. So for 1.25 million more the Yanks win. Not only does this mean 3 rd place for years to come but the lost revenue over the years will be huge. This may be the second biggest blunder by the Sox since they sold Ruth to the Yankees. The name of Franzee and Henry is now interchangeable.

    Posted by JimDaytona December 23, 08 03:47 PM
  1. I hope this is wrong - we can't let the Yanks win again !

    Posted by Ed B. December 23, 08 03:47 PM
  1. I hope that they enjoy splashing money on players that have never helped anyone win anything. Anaheim traded for him last year with the AL West already wrapped up. What did they do in the playoffs? CC 1-3, 7+ ERA in postseason, Burnett, will be out for the year by the AS break. Just unbelievable.

    Posted by Kevin LaValley December 23, 08 03:47 PM
  1. Woo Hoo. Although Teixiera may be the best free agent this year, his numbers don't deserve this type of contract. In addition, having one exorbitantly paid player on a team with a lot of guys who are making much less can't be good for clubhouse unity.
    Hopefully Lowell will return to his pre-surgery form, and this year will make us all happy that Teixiera decided that the Yanks were the place to be.

    Posted by Freddy S December 23, 08 03:48 PM
  1. Wow. just wow. As if we didnt need any more reasons to hate the Yankees. At least we'll be laughing when they have to pay that luxury tax bill... and no playoffs to show for it.

    Posted by Wow December 23, 08 03:48 PM
  1. Who cares!!!!! Is there actually some real news out there somewhere.

    Posted by Eric December 23, 08 03:48 PM
  1. This is a joke,I just heard that with the new stadium and the yes network the Yankee will bring in 700 million a year,that means they could have a salary at about 450 million a year and still make a 1/4 of billion profit.Its time that a salary cap has to come in baseball.Even if it means that baseball falters and a new league has to start up.Nobody can compete with a team that has a bottomless pit of money.

    Posted by Jim December 23, 08 03:48 PM
  1. HAHA, that is hysterical. Typical Sox (yes, I am a fan). Weeks of negotiating and then the Yanks sweep right in and cut through the BS and get right to the chase. Can't wait to see what Email Henry has to say on this.

    Posted by mvega$ December 23, 08 03:48 PM
  1. per year isnt that less than what the sox were offering??

    LETS GO YANKEES!!!!

    Posted by ryan December 23, 08 03:48 PM
  1. Penny wise, pound foolish. We will regret not getting this guy.
    Bitch and moan about the money all we want, but the Yankees just got a lot better.

    Posted by Mike T. December 23, 08 03:48 PM
  1. And they can get Varitek, too.

    Posted by Ted December 23, 08 03:48 PM
  1. i'm legitimately blown away. just shocked. this sucks. god i hate the yankees.

    Posted by marc December 23, 08 03:48 PM
  1. Spend the money elsewhere.. Can we get Peavy?

    Posted by Chris December 23, 08 03:49 PM
  1. Once again, the almighty dollar is the only important thing to a baseball player - what a surprise. Good thing you squeezed those extra couple $$$ out of the yankees. God knows, 170 million doesn't go as far as it used to.

    Posted by whatever December 23, 08 03:49 PM
  1. Wow...thye are building quite the powerhouse now...who is left for the Sox now? As crazy as it sounds we need Manny back and fast. otherwise i see no way of staying with the Yanks now. I mean who else is left out there for us to put in the4 middle on the line up like we now desperately need? Its just to bad he had to burn bridges like he did..we really could use another couple years of Manny bat here now. He is the best right handed bat ever maybe.

    Posted by DT December 23, 08 03:49 PM
  1. This is amazing. John Henry and Theo Epstein should both be ashamned of themselves right now. There is no excuse for letting Texiera go to the Yankees!!!
    The 2009 season is over right now !! The Sox are headed for a 3rd place finish.

    Posted by Baseball Bob December 23, 08 03:49 PM
  1. i dont know wht to say i think the yanks are on a spending spree dont know if it helps them set to the playoffs though

    Posted by Dhaval December 23, 08 03:49 PM
  1. When is New York going to learn? How many times do they have to put their hands on the hot stove before they figure out that burns hurt. They won titles in the 1990s with HOMEGROWN talent and the right mix of good players with decent chemistry. Once they started hunting big game, they stopped winning titles. Mussina never won a ring, nor has any of the other big named high priced guys they have gotten. So now, I guess their plan to buy them all and not just most of them?

    Posted by hiyawathadan December 23, 08 03:50 PM
  1. Now they do not need poor Manny, where will he end up?

    Posted by Denis December 23, 08 03:50 PM
  1. He is a mercenary, so he is PERFECT for the Yankees And as for theYanks,
    Insanity: Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. The Yanks had their best years when they combined some FA talent with a healthy smathering of home grown talent.

    Posted by Jason T December 23, 08 03:50 PM
  1. The Yankees made the smart move. They could've had Manny Ramirez OR Mark Teixera, and they picked Teixera because it not only makes them a better team but it cripples the Red Sox.

    Posted by Colin December 23, 08 03:50 PM
  1. They overpaid.

    We'll be fine as long was we bolster the pitching staff.

    But what 'bout Manny?

    Posted by lil' Tex December 23, 08 03:50 PM
  1. SCOTT BORAS IS OUT TO GET THE RED SOX!! THIS PROVES IT, HE IS SECRETLY A YANKEES FAN!!! F**** HIM, F*** SCOTT BORAS

    Posted by Angry at Yanks December 23, 08 03:50 PM
  1. Are the Sox cheap? Is my ticket money going straight into their pockets? Why don't they compete with the Yanks???? Probably because the foolish Red Sox fans sell out Fenway no matter what. Count me out until the Sox show they really want to compete. Did the Sox have a chance to counter-bid the Yanks? Maybe not and that may be Boras paying Henry back for going public. Henry did not need to go public. Oh and how many games next year until Papi and Lowell are banged up again? Glad I didn't buy any tickets for next season yet. I'll keep my money in my pockets instead of the Sox pockets.

    Posted by dasoxrock December 23, 08 03:50 PM
  1. I am thrilled, but all this means is they had a more successful Hot Stove League.
    They have not won anything yet, the games must be played and anything can happen as we saw a few years ago in the ALCS

    Posted by Shrek61 December 23, 08 03:51 PM
  1. It is going to be fun to beat this team of over-priced players next year. The Steinbrenners will learn what the Orioles already know....you cannot buy championships. Championships are won by teams and players with heart and character, not a few high-priced prima donnas. The highest priced of them all, A-Fraud, is the poster-child for overspending...he has won exactly ZERO championships in Seattle, Texas and New York. This is going to be a fun year!

    Posted by John December 23, 08 03:51 PM
  1. One more reason to DESPISE the Yankees, people cannot pay their rent, barely surviving and these dispicable people, (Tex included) make me want to throw up!
    Sickening, just SICKENING..

    Posted by KERRY December 23, 08 03:51 PM
  1. Evil Empire is back. How did Theo blow this one?

    Posted by Brett Gardner December 23, 08 03:51 PM
  1. The Boston Red Sox should refuse to ever deal with Scott Boras ever again, including 'Tek! Regardless of who he represents, if a player cares to play for the Sox or take a bid from them they should have to fire Boras in order to get an offer. This guy has RUINED baseball!
    On a differnt note... I hope the Yankees sign Manny too. Then the entire world can see how detacted from the working man or any man for that matter, they really are. With the world in the financial state it is in to have a team with a HALF A BILLION Dollar Payroll is truely repulsive.

    Posted by Andy Wallace in West Palm Beach December 23, 08 03:51 PM
  1. Henry and Theo have ruined my Christmas. How do you let yourself get swindled by the Yankees? You know they were gonna sweep in and try to do this. Bid them up. Make a counter proposal. Tex was the one guy we needed. You are sure as hell not taking Manny back. So, where is the new, big bat coming from? Adam "Strikeout" Dunn? I know, I know, you are gonna come back and sign some second tier guys on deals......but, Tex is legit.

    Posted by Chris in Washington DC December 23, 08 03:51 PM
  1. Thank god! if the Yankees don't win the world series, they will be the laughing stock of all sports forever...Sox are better off spending the money elsewhere...Youk and Bay for one....They can pick up Dunn and Abreau for less than Tex is getting for a year....Lowell, Papi and JD will all see sometime on DL or need rest...Elsebury might fade...not bad having Dunn and Abreau in the mix...and still keep the core of our team...or even better, spend money of shortstop and catcher...where we really need it...

    Posted by Bill December 23, 08 03:51 PM
  1. Unbelievable. So no Tex and still no catcher. Apparently the Boston Brain Trust wasn't watching their boys getting taken to school by the Rays last season.

    Good job Theo.

    Posted by Sox Fan Matt December 23, 08 03:52 PM
  1. Kill Me

    Posted by RickMac December 23, 08 03:52 PM
  1. A-Rod 2.0

    Posted by Zach December 23, 08 03:52 PM
  1. The Evil Empire can have him...and we'll stick with Mike Lowell who has two more rings and countless more clutch postseason hits!

    Posted by Ryan December 23, 08 03:52 PM
  1. John Henry, you scrooge
    You dropped the ball
    You flew down to Texas for nothing, at all
    Boras is filthy, and a money-grubbing troll
    though somewhere there's a smile on the face of Mike Lowell

    Posted by Dustin December 23, 08 03:52 PM
  1. GREAT!!!

    Now where do we go.. Ortiz is slowing down, we have no catcher, our shortstop sucks!!

    There is still Orlando, and LOWE... Hell lets bring manny back

    Posted by bummed out December 23, 08 03:53 PM
  1. good lets move on and get Derek Lowe and Varitek.

    Posted by windy December 23, 08 03:53 PM
  1. We'll have to see if he is worth that 23 million they are giving him. No worries we still have a great team of scrappers.

    Posted by Denis December 23, 08 03:53 PM
  1. After watching major league baseball for over 50 years I have observed that strong pitching typically beats good hitting every time and that goes for Texeira as well as any other good hitter. Red Sox will move forward to Plan "B" for a lot less $$$!

    Posted by Jim Gilreath December 23, 08 03:53 PM
  1. Maybe Teixeira and AJ Burnett can massage each other in the whirlpool when they are on the DL together..

    Posted by Bob the Music Man December 23, 08 03:53 PM
  1. Uggghhh . . .

    Posted by Dan December 23, 08 03:53 PM
  1. There must be a plan. here is what i think it is:

    Let Tek go... lay the prospects (Lowrie plus a pitcher) on Florida for Hanley. Press on.

    Posted by Ken December 23, 08 03:53 PM
  1. Let the teeth gnashing and Yankee envy begin.

    Posted by rob December 23, 08 03:54 PM
  1. Yes!

    Posted by BRIAN M DELLACONA December 23, 08 03:54 PM
  1. Way too much money. Way too many years. Thank God the Sox didn't feel the need to outbid the Yankees for this guy. Huge mistake.

    Posted by david December 23, 08 03:54 PM
  1. Man, am I going to enjoy hating this guy.

    Mark Teixiera, you shall be known from this day forward as PussyLips.

    And the Yankees have officially become the Washington Redskins.

    Posted by Eric December 23, 08 03:54 PM
  1. John Henry should have shut his mouth. It will be very interesting to see if Teixeira is the golden goose or a goose egg. This is not good for Boston

    Posted by Sparks December 23, 08 03:54 PM
  1. THIS IS AN OUTRAGE!!!!!! HOW COULD THEO AND JOHN HENRY LET THIS HAPPEN??????

    Posted by Sean December 23, 08 03:54 PM
  1. Oh crap.

    Posted by Gman December 23, 08 03:55 PM
  1. Santa just pooped in my stocking. Tex in a sox uniform was all I wanted for christmas. Way to make me excited about this season, redsox. I like your aggressiveness in the off season. The most exciting thing you did was not rape us as hard as usual with ticket prices.

    Posted by Ryan B December 23, 08 03:55 PM
  1. Santa just pooped in my stocking. Tex in a sox uniform was all I wanted for christmas. Way to make me excited about this season, redsox. I like your aggressiveness in the off season. The most exciting thing you did was not rape us as hard as usual with ticket prices.

    Posted by Ryan B December 23, 08 03:55 PM
  1. After all the talk about how no one wants to play for the Yankees anymore, they pick up the 3 biggest free agents on the market. Looks to me no one wants to play in Boston anymore.

    But the AL East is still a two team race: Tampa and New York!

    Posted by Keith December 23, 08 03:55 PM
  1. Of course they swooped in and got him. Maybe baseball needs to implement a salary cap. What an obscene amount of money the Yanks spent this off season. They could've bailed out Detroit and the banks with what they've overpaid for Sabathia, Burnett and now Teixeira.

    Posted by Debbie December 23, 08 03:55 PM
  1. Utter shock.

    I thought the Yankees weren't in it.

    Posted by TnTim December 23, 08 03:56 PM
  1. MLB is now dead to me.

    It was a fun ride. I encourage the lemmings to enjoy the $60 roof box seats, $4.50 water bottles, and $9 beers whilst sporting their pink hats, replica alternate jerseys and listening to the Sox owners complain that Teixeira and Boras were too greedy.

    If anyone needs me, I'll be behind home plate with my kids for many PawSox games this year.

    Just shout out "Yo Hoss!" and I'll buy you a beer.

    Posted by Hoss December 23, 08 03:56 PM
  1. this is ridiculous, the Red Sox ownership group has just conceded the division to the Yankees and given them the best 1-2 punch in the league for the next 8 years. And FOR WHAT?! 1.25 million a year extra? As much as i hate the Yankees, they know how to please their fans, they get the job done and they go the extra mile. We'll be shooting for the wild-card this year, trying to save a few bucks for his commodity trading firm

    Posted by pissedoffsoxfan December 23, 08 03:57 PM
  1. colin - how does this cripple the sox?

    Posted by brian December 23, 08 03:57 PM
  1. No ball player is worth that much money.

    Posted by kittykisses December 23, 08 03:58 PM
  1. That it i am jumping of red sox bandwagon . Imagine there line up if they get manny . they might as well get derek lowe . I wont be surprised if they win 130 games . Hey we still have the Celtics because eric is going to make sure they lose to dolphins to spite Bill

    Posted by chow101 December 23, 08 03:58 PM
  1. I am going to thoroughly enjoy watching the Red Sox beat this team next year : )

    Posted by Eric December 23, 08 03:58 PM
  1. you gotta believe that Theo and Co. know what's best for the team.

    Posted by kenny December 23, 08 03:59 PM
  1. Have fun with all those egos in NEW YORK. HAHHAHAH

    Posted by Ian December 23, 08 03:59 PM
  1. Boras ruined the Red Sox WS game 4 in 2007 by announcing AROD opted out and now he ruined Festivus with Teixtera going to NY....

    Posted by PJ December 23, 08 03:59 PM
  1. JH, you blew it....you are getting rich off the redsox, but now the yankees are so far superior that 3rd place is a real possibility...

    Posted by ken from scituate December 23, 08 03:59 PM
  1. tex would have been nice to have, but not necessary. they can still be very competitive, and this will make it even sweeter when they beat the yanks

    Posted by Joe E December 23, 08 04:00 PM
  1. Good job by the red sox. Teixeira is not worth the 4th largest contract in baseball. Oh, btw, the Yanks have all 4: ARod, CC, Jeter and now Teixeira. They'd bette produce.

    Posted by howzie December 23, 08 04:01 PM
  1. SOXFANMATT: How did the Rays get to the world series last year? Was it because they spend millions of dollars on free agents or was it because they developed young players? Would've been nice to land Teixeira but it's not the end of the world. Yankees have tried to buy championships since 2001 and has it worked? Sox still have the better pitching staff even with CC and Burnett and their offense may not be the best in the league but it's passable. I think if they go out and sign Lowe or Sheets they'll have an even better team than last year, a team that was 3 runs away from the world series.

    Posted by Mike in New Bedford December 23, 08 04:01 PM
  1. John Henry apparently decided that it was beneath him to engage in an all-out bidding war for this guy. Well, John, now you will be beneath the Yankees for years to come. This was the one player the Sox needed to fortify their mediocre batting order and not only didn't they get him, they let the Yankees swoop in and get it done in one day. Thanks, John, for the great holiday gift. Maybe if you add a 3rd deck to Fenway and charge $250 per seat, you'll derive enough income to compete with the Evil Empire. Have a Happy Holiday!!

    Posted by Brian Friedman December 23, 08 04:01 PM
  1. John Henry, you scrooge
    you dropped the ball
    you flew down to Texas for nothing, at all
    Boras youre a snake
    you money-grubbing troll
    but somewhere there's a smile on the face of Mike Lowell

    Posted by Dustin December 23, 08 04:01 PM
  1. JOHN, LARRY, and THEO all tried to get too cute with Boras by "calling his bluff". When will Sox ownership ever learn that you simply don't call Boras' bluff bc you'll get burned every time! This is an absolute disaster for the Sox - no exaggeration. The signing has clearly shifted the power of the division to the Yankees and makes the Sox the third best team in the AL East.

    Ouch.

    Posted by brian December 23, 08 04:02 PM
  1. Congratulations to John Henry and Theo for standing their ground and not giving in to Mr Boras and his band of theives.

    Posted by PeterM December 23, 08 04:02 PM
  1. I'M GLAD THE SOX DIDN'T GET THIS LOSER...WE HAVE A PLAYER (YOUK) WHO PLAYS HIS POSITION, THAT IS EVEN BETTER THEN TEX. HE'S MORE VERSITLE AND HAS A CHAMPIONSHIP RING...IF THE SOX HAD SIGNED THIS GUY WHAT WOULD YOUK'S VALUE WOULD HAVE BEEN??20+MILLION A YEAR.

    Posted by mEEh December 23, 08 04:02 PM
  1. No surprise here- Theo fails again. Just be thankful Furcal signed last week so Theo's knee jerk reaction can't be to go overpay him like he did Renteria, Lugo, Clement, and Drew....

    Posted by Boom Boom Was Here December 23, 08 04:02 PM
  1. OMG A-Rod 2.0 hardly. Red Sox you just got punked BIG TIME. We thought we had em where we wanted him. If you play with the big boys lesson number one, just SHUT UP and negotiate, Cash(Cashman that is played you). Not a guaranteed championship yet WOW 8 years, this could be the beginning of a new dynasty and what will you Sux fans say, they bought a championship. Well you did the same remember Dice K. Yes Yes Yes what a Christmas

    Posted by yankees4ever December 23, 08 04:02 PM
  1. Does Boston.com have a problem with all of my posts?
    I have posted 4 today and only one is showing?
    I am glad he went to the Yankee's....now when they lose in the ALDS like they do every year, we can laugh at all the excuses the Yankee fans will make.

    Posted by steven December 23, 08 04:02 PM
  1. I feel ill

    Posted by Bucko December 23, 08 04:02 PM
  1. How have the Yankee bg name acquistions gone in the last several years gone?

    Mussina?
    Giambi?
    A-Rod?
    Carl Pavano?
    The Big Unit?
    Johnny Damon?
    Bobby Abreu?

    What do these guys have in common? None of them have won a World Series with the Yankees. Money doesn't always buy championships. Hopefully the new Yankee locker room will be big enough for all of the egos.

    BTW, where does Manny land now? The price of gas is going down and so is Manny's price.

    Posted by EdA December 23, 08 04:03 PM
  1. Stop crying.....red sox blew it....plain and simple. They had him w/ no real cometition and then decided to pinch pennies....they got what they deserve.

    Posted by Soxfan December 23, 08 04:03 PM
  1. All this and the Yankees want the taxpayers to help fund their stadium. Friggen ridiculous! If this is true, then baseball fans of all the other teams must unite and boycott the yankees. They have millions more people than any other MLB city paying cable rights. Of course they have unlimited funds to do this. Way Way Way not fair. I may never watch baseball again!

    Posted by Brian Griffin December 23, 08 04:03 PM
  1. You Red Sox fans are hillarious. First you want Tex more than anything. Even offered him a HUGE deal. But since he now signs with the Yanks he is 1) not that good. 2) Overpaid.... Ah Sox fans. Gotta love thier idiocracy.

    Posted by HaHaHa December 23, 08 04:03 PM
  1. Waaaaah!
    Red Sox fans pouting and whining.
    After weeks of praising Tex, now he's a bum.
    Just like Manny. He was the greatest redsox right handed hitter of all time until the redsox management and fans started to trash him.
    The Empire Strikes back.
    This is what happens when an organization wins two world series in 90 years and think they have all the answers.

    Posted by bobby December 23, 08 04:03 PM
  1. Forget that the Yankees are better -- The Red Sox have no catcher, a ding up first baseman and no big bat to protect Ortiz.

    Let's get off our butts boys and get a bat, otherwise it will be like last year with at least 1 automatic out in the bottom third of the order and maybe worse.

    Posted by jackyldo December 23, 08 04:03 PM
  1. Let's be realistic here. Did adding Tex really make them a much better team? Most GM's in baseball were saying that they were a better team with Lowell at 3rd and Youk at 1st. I know all the yankee fans are going to come here and tell us how great they are, but I can remember this blather when they got, ahem, the following: Johnson, Weaver, Vazquez, Abreu, Pavano, and so on and so on. Look, they just paid for a player with good numbers, not great.

    Posted by George December 23, 08 04:03 PM
  1. THE RED SOX FRONT OFFICE ONCE AGAIN DROPPED THE BALL. EVERYONE IN BASEBALL KNEW THAT IF THE YANKEES GOT TEIXEIRA, THE SOX CHANCES JUST WENT SOUTH!!!!!! I HOPE THE YANKEES FINISH THIRD BEHIND THE RAYS BUT THE SOX CHANCES OF THE DIVISION JUST GOT DIMINISHED BY THEIR SUPPOSED JEDI MIND GAMES THEY PLAYED.

    Posted by HENRYGOTBURNED December 23, 08 04:04 PM
  1. Before everyone starts to panic, here's a few fun facts about our new arch-enemy, Tex:

    1) He's the next A-Rod. If he's so great, how come he's never carried his team to glory (like Manny or Papi)?
    2) Six years in the league, one All-Star appearance. That's worth 8 years of $20M+ with a full no-trade? I think not.
    3) He doesn't even figure to make the US team for the World Baseball Classic.
    Let me say it one last time: Every year Boras tries to get us to believe that his guy this year is one of the all-time legends of the game (remember when Damon was supposed to be a first-ballot HOFer?). In reality, Tex was just the best hitter of this particular free-agent class. Solid player, sure, but worth Manny-in-his-prime money? Let the Skanks keep him.

    Posted by Chaussettes Rouges December 23, 08 04:04 PM
  1. This is awesome...I can't wait to see the steam coming out of Hank and Hal and Girardi's ears next season when they come in third place. They are in serious trouble for the next 8 years. CC will soon be too fat to pitch (nevermind buckling under the pressure), Burnett is Pavano Jr., Tex will be hitting .290/25HR/80RBI before you know it, their D up the middle is terrible with Jeter, Cano, and Cabrera so their staff era's will all be high, their pen is terrible, A-rod will be A-rod all-star when it doesn't matter, Damon has no arm, no speed, no bat and is now relegated to left or DH, Matsui is aging and gets hurt more than he plays. Don't worry Sox fans, our biggest threat is still the Rays and we'll be right in the mix come October. Red Sox will be your 2009 WS Champs!

    Posted by Chris December 23, 08 04:04 PM
  1. I'm as unhappy as anybody about this. But it sounds to me as though Texeira just decided he wanted to play in New York more than Boston. The money difference was minimal. It's infuriating, but what do you do?

    One thing we'll have to start talking about is how the Sox go about trying to repair things with Lowell, after it was clear their hope was to sign Texeira and then trade him. Now they're really going to need Lowell to have a big year. It's kind of like a guy begging his wife to take him back after getting dumped by the woman he wanted to leave her for.

    Posted by Fletcher December 23, 08 04:04 PM
  1. Here's what the New York fans that I know have to cheer for right now: A Yankees team that hasn't won since 2000 (and is back to trying to buy a championship - btw -- Does Brian Cashman have any say with that team?), a Jets team with no future, and a crappy Knicks team with no future. Have fun!!!!!

    Posted by davey December 23, 08 04:04 PM
  1. This is not good for the red sox at all. The yanks now have pitching and an unstoppable line up. There is no one else out there for us to get for the next few years either.

    Granted the sox have a high payroll but the Yanks are making a mockery of the game.

    Posted by Pete December 23, 08 04:05 PM
  1. Who cares? Ask yourselves, how will all these egos survive in one clubhouse? Give me a break, let them have him. They obviously have not yet learned overspending has brought them nothing, let them keep doing it.

    Posted by axogirl49 December 23, 08 04:05 PM
  1. This deal royally screws Manny Ramirez though and that's the best of all. The Angels are out of the bidding for that A-hole and that leaves the Yankees and Dodgers bidding for him and you know their bids are going to be dropping fast.

    Lay off Henry for not wanting to do this deal. Texiera isn't worth $22.5 million a year. If they sign him for that they have no chance of keeping Youk.

    Posted by rob December 23, 08 04:05 PM
  1. Seriously, the Yankees are ruining baseball enjoyment for me. They are out of control. Baseball needs a salary cap or else teams will start going bankrupt. The Yankees piss on the game and don't care about it and other owners let it happen.

    Posted by John December 23, 08 04:06 PM
  1. Good luck to the Yankees! They signed a pitcher (C.C.) who didn't want to play there, another pitcher (A.J.) whose arm may fall off at any moment. Now they sign Texeira! Johnny Damon can prep him for his first game at Fenway.

    Well, as they said in The Godfather, "Let them lose their souls."

    Posted by Mike Pinciaro December 23, 08 04:06 PM
  1. The $420 million the Yanks' spent this offseason will still lead to ZERO World Series titles...

    Posted by Anonymous December 23, 08 04:06 PM
  1. Tex is a nice player but he is NOT Albert Pujols...Sox are fine... why all the haterade for Borass - he is just doing his job and doing it pretty darn well taking Tex and making the Yankoffs think they bought Prince Albert... Yanks should name their new park -Jurassic- because the outfield will be patrolled by a bunch of short armed dinosaurs...Lars Anderson Rules!...now lets go get a catcher :)!

    Posted by ShantyExpress December 23, 08 04:06 PM
  1. The Yankees are welcome to MT, doesn't make them automatic champs, still gotta play the season. Theo and Trio have options and other ways of obtaining bats, unclear now as that may be.
    Let the Yanks overpay, they're getting $2500 a seat...
    Remember, Rays ruled @4$$ mil.......

    Posted by Swinging Cod December 23, 08 04:06 PM
  1. Egg firmly secured to Epstein's face for years to come.... This is a colossal misfire.

    Posted by Mike D December 23, 08 04:06 PM
  1. Who cares thank God its ovah!!! Did anyone not think the Skanks would come in at the last minute mr dee da dee Cashman and his we havent bid on him!!!!!!

    Posted by Big B December 23, 08 04:06 PM
  1. This is great! This is the way it is supposed to be. I wanted to see Tex in a Red Sox uniform, but the Yankees have the money to spend. We get to see what Lars Anserson will do when they bring him up at the end of the year provided he has a good year in AA and AAA. If we end up beating the Yanks this year it will be that much sweeter. You can't blame Scott Boras, he is only doing his job and that is to get his players the most lucrative deal. This is what the Red Sox vs Yankees rivalry is all about. Let's see what Theo can put together. One thing is for sure, we need another bat.

    Posted by Deemo December 23, 08 04:06 PM
  1. yankees suck

    Posted by Alex December 23, 08 04:06 PM
  1. Like the 2008 Presidential election .........It is FINALLY over ! Now Let's get Busy with The 2009 Red Sox baseball Season ! After all, Boston is ,,,,, Just that Good !

    Posted by Gregheavy4 December 23, 08 04:06 PM
  1. So was this the "other offer"? LOL
    Tex was never going to sign with the Angels or Sox unless they gave him 10 years, 200. He wanted the Yanks all along. O's and Nats never had a chance. Funny how they thought they did.

    I'm just glad we won't have to bring back Tek and his strikeouts as part of the the Tex "package deal" like, Dice-K and JD Drew. :P

    Posted by psychojimmy December 23, 08 04:07 PM
  1. OK, now let's see how bad ownership wants to win.........Plan B? I really think they thought Tex was theirs during the flight to Texas and there is no Plan B. This doesn't surprise me one bit. Now they can wait another year for their next dream player that they lust over, Justin Morneau, pump up the fans only to choke again during negotiations. I think this may give me the reason to start rooting for the Rays. They're closer, I can get a seat at the Trop. for $8.00 with free parking rather than $75.00 at Fenway, or $2,500 at the new Yankee Stadium. Red Sox ownership talks a good talk when it comes to free agents every year and quit before the rubber meets the road. See a patern here?

    Posted by FlaSoxFan December 23, 08 04:07 PM
  1. Honestly who cares?

    Why replace a gold glove first baseman with a gold glove first baseman? And do it by paying him Manny Ramirez/A-Rod money when he doesn't hit like either one.

    Posted by m.s December 23, 08 04:08 PM
  1. John Henry was right. The Red Sox won't be a factor....in the playoffs.

    Posted by brian December 23, 08 04:08 PM
  1. I wonder how much of that $$ came from Pay-Rod. After all, what's a few million a year diverted to Texeira to get the monkey off his back. As aggravating as this is, it will be that much better when the Spankees choke again next year with this obscene payroll.

    Posted by hikeaway December 23, 08 04:08 PM
  1. Ok people, all of you, think about the last few days please?

    I am thinking at this point, that maybe THAT is what John Henry and company knew when they left Texas the other day? That Tex was hoping to sign with the Yanks but if no offer came from NY then he might be willing to sign with Boston.

    This is most likely why JH said in his email that Boston would not be a factor?

    Because he was told that is what was going on at the time. Thank about it?

    Posted by JB December 23, 08 04:08 PM
  1. I actually like this. Why overpay unecessarily anyway? not that we not already have a very good team, not that adding one big free agent after another will make you win the world series.

    Remember the fans' outrage when Yanks signed A-Rod and Randy Johnson? Felt like the end of the world at that point, didn't it?

    Posted by OOOH December 23, 08 04:08 PM
  1. The Yankees handled the timid, gutless John Henry masterfully. Only an idiot would have walked away from a situation where Tex could have been signed, knowing the Yankees were lurking. Did Henry think Swisher was the solution at 1st base? What will Theo and Henry blame it on now since the money was close, the No Trade Clause?

    In addition, I have little doubt the Sox treatment of Tex when he was an amateur came back to haunt them. Its ok in the end, we get to watch Papi and Lowell fade off into the sunset of their careers and now I can book my October vacation away from the TV.

    Posted by Brad in Colorado December 23, 08 04:09 PM
  1. 1.25 million per yr more is too much for john henry to stomach??
    Is manny next?


    damon DH
    Jeter SS
    Matsui LF
    ARod 3B
    Tex 1b
    Nady RF
    Posada C
    Cano 2B
    Melky CF

    Is m
    oh my

    Posted by ryan December 23, 08 04:09 PM
  1. Next bailout.... NY Yankees

    Posted by Paul December 23, 08 04:09 PM
  1. WAKE UP!!!!
    There is no need to spend $$$ on this team when they sell out game after game. Winning means nothing to this administration- it's all about the money, because it is a business.

    I fully expected them to trim payroll, and that's what they are doing- if you are surprised by this, you have not been paying attention.

    Posted by Boom Boom Was Here December 23, 08 04:09 PM
  1. How much sweeter will it be to watch the Yanks fail next year, too?

    Immediate front-office reaction should be to announce the signing of Kevin Youkilis to a long-term contract. It could be argued that the Sox already have a Mark Texiera on their roster, who has just as much upside (if not more) and is more deserving, as well has someone who's played for a championship team.

    The stench of desperation coming from the Bronx is overwhelming. Ain't it sweet?

    Posted by somark37 December 23, 08 04:10 PM
  1. Come on everyone. We all wanted him. Our management failed us. They should have had this signing done weeks ago. Are you telling me the $10M less we offered is worth him going to NY? $10M to a baseball team like the Sox is like spare change for the rest of us.

    It angers me that we lost this guy for $10M over 8 years. He was ready to sign, and we didn't go the extra mile. After all the money we've wasted on guys like renteria, lugo, etc. Theo needs to be called out for this move.

    Posted by SawxFan December 23, 08 04:10 PM
  1. WHAT THE!?!?!??!?!?!?! COME ON SOX! YOU LOST EVERY SINGLE PERSON THAT YOU AT LEAST HAD AN INTEREST IN THE MARKET TO THE YANKS???? TALK ABOOUT THEO KEEPING SOME LOOSE CHANGE IN HIS POCKET???? WHERE THE HECK WAS THE BACKBONE? GOOD JOB SOX, YOU THREW IT AWAY

    Posted by Sean December 23, 08 04:10 PM
  1. The Yankees have had the highest payroll in baseball for how many years? And they have won??? Remember Pavano, Johnson, Giambi, Brown and on and on and on.........

    Posted by Mark December 23, 08 04:10 PM
  1. I LOVE being a Yankee fan. Sox could have had him, they didn't. They have just as much money as the Yanks, so stop fooling yourself if you think they don't. Yanks just don't mind spending cause that's what we do in NY.

    Posted by NYer December 23, 08 04:10 PM
  1. Will Alex let Mark borrow his lip gloss?

    Despite questions about his hip, I'm glad the Sox are now required to keep
    Lowell.

    Posted by collagra December 23, 08 04:10 PM
  1. I think we'll get a chance to see how the buy-the-pennant vs mostly home-growns will play out once again. The home grown philosophy wins more often than may be realized (see Tampa Bay 2008). IMO, Texeira has the look of another A-Rod: great skills, total mercenary, disappears in the clutch, puts up numbers but doesn't help his team win championships.

    The Boras thing is another issue. A hard bargainer is one thing, but his collusion in the "Manny being a malingerer" should have gotten him decertified by MLB.

    Posted by Jim Nagle December 23, 08 04:11 PM
  1. They last won a World Series in 2000 yet they have had the highest payroll in the history of sports in every year since then. There is no reason to believe that their sad history of failure will suddenly change this year just because they continue to over-pay for the latest crop of free agents. The Yankees are a desperate mess with no farm system and no character. All they have earned in the past eight years is the wrath of decent, hard-working people who are struggling just to get by.

    Posted by GM December 23, 08 04:11 PM
  1. I think we'll get a chance to see how the buy-the-pennant vs mostly home-growns will play out once again. The home grown philosophy wins more often than may be realized (see Tampa Bay 2008). IMO, Texeira has the look of another A-Rod: great skills, total mercenary, disappears in the clutch, puts up numbers but doesn't help his team win championships.

    The Boras thing is another issue. A hard bargainer is one thing, but his collusion in the "Manny being a malingerer" should have gotten him decertified by MLB.

    Posted by Jim Nagle December 23, 08 04:11 PM
  1. It's actually going to be fun to going back to being the underdog. More reason to hate the Evil Empire and its new repulsive face. Wow! There's a lot to hate there!
    Sox have pitching and they'll compete. Plus there's some good players out there at lesser numbers.
    I'm glad Henry didn't cave. Let's see how the Yankees make a profit playing 6 guys almost 130 million a year.
    Absolutely unbelievable.

    Posted by BobF December 23, 08 04:11 PM
  1. Hello 3rd place.

    Posted by Brian December 23, 08 04:11 PM
  1. ugh i might be sick.
    but the thing that makes me ever more mad is the fact that the Yankees have the 4 highest paid players in all of baseball (not that we can complain, since we have dough as well)... but i actually feel bad for the nationals - they never stood a chance. yet another reason baseball needs a tight salary cap.
    i'm proud of the sox for standing their ground on this one - they know when too much is too much.

    but this one hurts, big time. and it'll hurt for 8 years..

    Posted by heartbroken December 23, 08 04:11 PM
  1. The Yankee's payroll for their infield is now greater than 1/2 of the teams payroll at over 88 million a year.
    Broken Down
    1st -- Teixeria -- 22.5
    2nd -- Cano -- 3.0
    SS -- Jeter -- 21.6
    3rd -- A-rod -- 28.0
    C -- Posada -- 13.1
    The figures (except for Teixeria are 2008)

    Just for kicks if you combined the salaries for the two Florida teams they equal only 64 million

    Posted by Shmoody December 23, 08 04:12 PM
  1. Really, whatever. If the last 8 years have proved anything, paying alot for talent doesn't equate to a championship for the Yankees. Yeah, it would've been cool to have Teix, but now this organization will have to do some REAL work to remain near the top...and they can get there...

    Posted by gronk6 December 23, 08 04:12 PM
  1. If we got Sabathia, Burnett and Tex we would be dancing in the streets. Instead we are crying in our Sam Adams because once again the Yanks did what they needed to do to get back in the AL East. Dont blame them for wanting to get better. When we spend money its fiscal responsibility. When the MFY do it its a Mortal Sin. I dont get it. You cant have it both ways. Quit crying and be happy we have a team that competes EVERY year. We were one game from the World Series last year, we have one of the best farm systems in baseball and a great Front Office. Im glad the MFY are going to be better. It will make it sweeter beating them. Now get Lowe, Tek, and Dunn. But spend wisely of course.

    Posted by Steve December 23, 08 04:12 PM
  1. Wow, people are really upset! I think the Red Sox were prudent to not offer more dollars. They (according to media speculation) had a lot of money on the table. If Teixeira had wanted to play for the best run team in baseball it should have been enough cash. The outcome is no surprise, all Boras clients sign with the highest bidder. The only exceptions being Varitek and Dice K, and there were special considerations in those circumstances.

    The Red Sox still have a great team and a strong farm system. The deep farm system is what got the Sox through all the injuries last year.

    It is silly to take a sky is falling attitude over a free agent signing. The Red Sox team building approach has been very successful.

    Posted by JP December 23, 08 04:12 PM
  1. I think we'll get a chance to see how the buy-the-pennant vs mostly home-growns will play out once again. The home grown philosophy wins more often than may be realized (see Tampa Bay 2008). IMO, Texeira has the look of another A-Rod: great skills, total mercenary, disappears in the clutch, puts up numbers but doesn't help his team win championships.

    The Boras thing is another issue. A hard bargainer is one thing, but his collusion in the "Manny being a malingerer" should have gotten him decertified by MLB.

    Posted by Jim Nagle December 23, 08 04:12 PM
  1. The Yankees never learn their lesson, here is their off-season:
    CC Sabathia = Jose Contraras
    AJ Burnett = Carl Pavano
    Mark Teixeira = Jason Giambi

    They haven't figured out that it is best to grow talent through the system like the Sox, Rays, and Yankees of the 90s. Good luck, the Sox are still a better team!

    Posted by Stefan December 23, 08 04:12 PM
  1. The Yankees "paid too much"? They only paid 1.75 mill more than Boston was offering. And who cares how much they paid? It's not my money. Its just a good excuse for Boston fans.

    Posted by jeterdamon December 23, 08 04:12 PM
  1. I know that the Sox have a huge payroll, but there is something wrong with the system when over half of the teams can't afford to even enter the bidding and one team can sign the three most expensive free agents available. Although I hate the Yankees, I would say the same thing if it was the Sox. That said, we have to try to sign D. Lowe, trade for a catcher and play the hand we have been dealt. (a hand that isn't too shabby)
    Of course, there is the small possibility that the Yankees could still finish out of the playoffs, but that is too sweet to even think about.

    Posted by Parky in PA December 23, 08 04:13 PM
  1. Before people concede the AL East to the Yankees let's remember that injuries, the farm system, & mid-season deals all play a HUGE role every year. You don't win on paper, you win on the field ... just ask the Tigers & the Rays about last year.

    Posted by drahcir61 December 23, 08 04:13 PM
  1. Why do people expect the Red Sox to handle their money depending on what the Yankees do? They are fiscal responsible. They set a limit and stick to it. Tex would not guarentee the Sox win anything.

    I still feel good. Our youngions are doing well. I am looking forward to Jacoby having a breakout year.

    Posted by Chris December 23, 08 04:13 PM
  1. I"m glad the sox put a cap on tex and stuck to it. I don't want to be compared to the yankees. they should be embarassed.

    Posted by yanksarebums December 23, 08 04:13 PM
  1. Talk about obscenities in today's world, the Yankees top 5 players make nearly $120 million. And they'll still be battling the Rays for 2nd place. And after this ridiculous spending spree the Yankees are asking the taxpayers of NYC to come up with more money for their new shiny new ballpark. Can't wait till Teixeira visits Fenway. Should be a fun season.

    Posted by Bob Lit December 23, 08 04:14 PM
  1. It's what I figured would happen all along. On the day that the yanks were handed their luxry bill they flaunt all by signing the 4th highest contract in the league. As a New Yorker, I demand that the organization hand over every single public dollar that they cried for in order to build their stadium. Absolutely insane....

    Posted by Doug December 23, 08 04:14 PM
  1. That was a fun ride, but man, I feel like a loser again.

    Posted by Bostonfanatic December 23, 08 04:15 PM
  1. at least Matt Holliday is available next years... and we can't let him get away.

    Posted by big e December 23, 08 04:15 PM
  1. The Red Sox ownership really had no intention of signing this player. Since willing the world series in 2007 they have intiated a compaign to lower payroll while increasing insane profits. Where else in baseball can you sell an obstructed view seat (Monster) for an average of over $100.00? and get away with it? The answer is pretty clear-cut. Only here. When I found out that the sox were not raising ticket prices this year, a big red flag should have gone up for most of us. It certainly did for me.

    I wasnt fooled. Stick that up your butt John Henry!!!

    Posted by rickb101 December 23, 08 04:15 PM
  1. Funny thing is, with almost $90M coming OFF their books this offseason, the NYY payroll will be LOWER than it was last year. Wow.

    Posted by UMA December 23, 08 04:15 PM
  1. Kevin Youkilis 145G 43dbls 4tpls 29HR 115RBI reasonable$$
    Mark Texiera 157G 41dbls 0tps 33HR 121RBI akabillion$$

    Beckett, DiceK, Lester reasonable$$
    Sabathia, Burnett, Wang akatrillion$$

    What will the money grubbing fake Texiera do in the monster left field in the new Stadium? How will he react when 50,000 people boo him when he is in his first 0-10 slumb

    Posted by keepthefaith December 23, 08 04:15 PM
  1. To all the panic-mongers and Stankee blowhards:

    Calm down and analyze things. Teixeira is an excellent ballplayer, but hardly worthy of ARod/Manny dollars. CC is a stud, but given hisbody and the body of work, a BIG gamble for that many years. Burnett simply scammed the Yanks: he has no heart and no guts and will wilt in NY.... take it to the bank. They will miss Abreu, Mussina and Giambi more than they care to admit. Posada is at best a liability behind the plate, if he even plays, and Molina is barely adequate as backup. Still overloaded with DH candidates: Damon, Matsui, Posada... and nowhere to put Swisher. Their bullpen regresses without Joba. This is hardly over. If I were you, i would fear the Rays. Sox have tons of options and latitude here. If I am Theo, I use Buchholz and Lowrie to get Hanley Ramirez, and find a catcher other than Tek. They are out there. The Yanks haven't won anything yet except for the blog wars and PR race. The Steinbrenners are simpletons.

    Posted by Ken in Sarasota December 23, 08 04:15 PM
  1. Who decided any player in any sport was worth this ludicrous amount of money?

    I just think it hurts to see him in the AL East at all. The Nats could have had him and I'd be happy. I still think we can compete.

    Posted by jmaguire December 23, 08 04:16 PM
  1. Am I the only one who doesn't think this is such a bad thing for the Red Sox? Teixeira is a great player, but in either mid-2009 or 2010 we will have Lars Anderson at 1B. He has a great approach at the plate and has plus power to all fields. His defense might be a tick below Teixeira, but I would rather give Anderson a shot and watch his bat develop and him become a monster than overpay for a 1B with soon to be declining skills. Let them go spend and spend. They have an overpaid SS, 3B, OF - Damon, SP - Burnett and Sabathia, C - Posada. The Swisher deal now looks pretty stupid for them. And lets not forget that they have now given up all their picks in rounds 1-3 of this years draft. Pretty stupid if you ask me. We are better in the OF than they are; better at 2B; better depth at SP; and have a much better farm system. Also, our 1B, 3B and SS rate better defensively than the guys they have. I really think both Theo and the management team made the wise decision by not upping their offer. We just really don't need him that bad.

    Posted by Adam December 23, 08 04:16 PM
  1. I have lost all confidence in Theo and company. No longer will i trust theo to do the right thing, this is just one Misstep to many. I am packing away all my Red Sox gear and my uniforms, there not coming out this year. We can complain all we want that the yankees have endless money, that they stole him, that they did this and that but it doesnt change the fact that this was OUR F up no one elses. We had him in the bag and we blew it. Theo and Henry had their little conniption fit and refused to back down now look what happend. Theo you have lost your biggest supporter. I no longer have any confidance in this front office. Good Luck in the 09' cause im not watching again until ther out

    Posted by Justin December 23, 08 04:16 PM
  1. SOX fans have fun coming in third place in the AL East for the next 5 years. This must make you all losers so mad.

    Seriously dont even bother watching baseball next year.

    Posted by werw December 23, 08 04:16 PM
  1. yankees will need a gov bailout by 2010

    Posted by ada December 23, 08 04:16 PM
  1. Find that guy that tackled Seau and let's get that moron to the Yankees opening day to do some damage

    Posted by Mr Perfect December 23, 08 04:17 PM
  1. Way to overreact everyone! Even at 8 Years $170 million, the Sox would have been overpaying for him. If we signed him to that, he would have to hit 50 home runs a year for the next eight years to live up to that. And if he didn't, I know we would all be bitching that he makes too much money and isn't earning his contract. I know that JD Drew is overpayed but this is WAAAAAY more $$ than Tex deserves. What has he ever won? Has he ever been MVP? Won a Gold Glove? World Series? Maybe a division title with the Angels but that's it. Let the Yankess pay $420 million to THREE players in the last week in this economy. How did the Yankees having albatross type contracts for declining players work out for them in the last ten years?

    Posted by RT December 23, 08 04:17 PM
  1. Can't believe the Yankees did this to us again. It's such a shame that so many
    people are losing there jobs, and can't afford food to put on their tables and all
    these players care about is money. There should be a salary cap. I hope all
    these players that make so much money, help all the people that lost there jobs.
    They could feed a small country with all that money they make. We'll just see what
    happens when the Rays, Red Soxs, and Angels come to town. Good Luck to you
    Mark and we'll just see how happy you are in five years when you get tired of the
    Yankees.

    Posted by Sweet Caroline December 23, 08 04:17 PM
  1. Dear John Henry,

    I hope you know you blew it. Big time.

    -Red Sox Nation

    Posted by Disgusted Fan December 23, 08 04:17 PM
  1. Let it go...While I HATE that Teixeira sold his whatever little soul he may have had to the Evil Empire, I was never that enamored with the possibility of him signing with the Sox. I think if he really WANTED to play for the Sox, he would've signed last Thursday night. Per BorA$$' instructions, he was told to wait it out so BorA$$ could give the Yanks' time to come up with something.

    FWIW, even if the Yanks' offered a penny more than the Sox, I think Teixeira would've taken the Yanks' offer b/c he seems like the type of guy obsessed his $$$/numbers/stats that he would take an extra penny.

    Posted by Teixeira_Sucks December 23, 08 04:18 PM
  1. "Overpaid" and "Overrated"?
    Wait a minute, weren't you guys bidding on him too and chose not to up the bid just $1.75mm more? Cheap is more like it!

    Posted by jeterdamon December 23, 08 04:18 PM
  1. People relax:
    All the Sox have to do is hit the ball up the middle next year........Jeter cant move anymore, and Damon will have to throw it to Jeter on a grounder to center because his arm will fall off. Also, how much longer do you think Mo Rivera is going to last? Matsui in left?? You can panic all you want, the Yanks still have major holes and they are getting older. They just added Tex at 28 and got YOUNGER.....they added a HUGE, FAT "ace" pitcher who was run into the ground last year by the Brewers, and another "ace" who has been on the DL more times the past three years than JD Drew has. You have Jaba's ever growing mid section, alcohol problems, still hasnt proven he can be a starter without arm troubles. Who do they have in middle relief?
    meanwhile look at the Sox......they have young talent in Pedroia, Youk, Ellsbury, Lester, Paplebon, Masterson.....studs in the waiting like Bowden, and trade bait like Bucholz......relax.....its not the end of the world.....the only thing that would worry me about the Sox is that Ortiz is getting old...I dont worry about Lowell because they only have him for two more years. And do you really think the Sox will sit quietly and not make any moves? Just wait, they have one or two big moves left to make.

    Posted by steven December 23, 08 04:18 PM
  1. After all the talk about how no one wants to play for the Yankees anymore, they pick up the 3 biggest free agents on the market. Looks to me no one wants to play in Boston anymore.

    But the AL East is still a two team race: Tampa and New York!

    Posted by Keith December 23, 08 04:18 PM
  1. Tex is a nice player but he is NOT Albert Pujols...Sox are fine... why all the haterade for Borass - he is just doing his job and doing it pretty darn well taking Tex and making the Yankoffs think they bought Prince Albert... Yanks should name their new park -Jurassic- because the outfield will be patrolled by a bunch of short armed dinosaurs...Lars Anderson Rules!...now lets go get a catcher :)!

    Posted by ShantyExpress December 23, 08 04:18 PM
  1. "Overpaid" and "Overrated"?
    Wait a minute, weren't you guys bidding on him too and chose not to up the bid just $1.75mm more? Cheap is more like it!

    Posted by jeterdamon December 23, 08 04:18 PM
  1. Anyone who says that we didn't need Texeira AND to let him go to the Yankees knows NOTHING about baseball or the economics of baseball. I love Lowell, but give me a break. This is a killer. Management should be embarrased.

    Posted by Gary December 23, 08 04:18 PM
  1. I'd rather have Youk and Lowell. They know how to win, they each have 2 WS!
    Teixeira has ZERO
    ARod has ZERO
    CC has ZERO

    It's almost as much fun to watch the Yankees lose and it is to see the Sox win.

    Posted by Burke December 23, 08 04:19 PM
  1. I love all the people thinking the sky is falling, good the red sox don't have to look like the desperate yankees and significantly over spend. Lowell will show everyone next year why they didn't get Tex, because he has heart.

    Heart and passion will ALWAYS trump greedy payroll

    If the sox can figure out the catching position they are still a huge threat in the AL, I'm saying the yankees will still finish 3rd.

    Posted by Mike December 23, 08 04:19 PM
  1. STUPID STUPID STUPID. Horribly Stupid. At Least the yanks won't be going for Manny now. They won't need him. This is such a stupid purchase. They will just be losers again for 4 more years. HAHAHAHAHA Money well spent? We'll See!

    Posted by BostonSara00 December 23, 08 04:19 PM
  1. Let's keep it real, ownership was not aggressive enough to sign TEX...Yanks have dictated the whole free agency and showed him the "MONEY" and tell me who wouldnt sign $180 million for 8/yrs? Its going to be interesting what the SOX will do next ...its plain and simple they need to acquire another bat...LET GO SOX!!!

    Posted by John December 23, 08 04:20 PM
  1. The last time I had this pit in my stomach was when the Yankees swooped in to steal A-Rod. In hindsight, I'd never want A-Rod on the Sox, but that was pre-2004 and he seemed like our savior. When the Yankees got him, I assumed they'd win the WS for the next decade. It was sickening. Just like this is. Perhaps A-Rod, the source of this same wretched feeling five years ago is actually now the source of consollation. His signing typified the problem the Yankees have always had--the individual parts are much greater than the sum of those parts in the Bronx for whatever reason. That being said, I think Theo and Henry will deservedly take some heat on this. It's great to be fiscally responsible and stick to a plan but it's not like the Yankees came with $200M. Their offer was not far above the Sox' offer. Why did Theo quibble with Boras, show him up with the announcement last week and then get smoked when the Yankees worked out a deal in a few hours that the Sox couldn't get done in a matter of week. Theo has made some trades and rebuilt a formidable farm system but his free agency record is shaky. Big deals for Dice K and Drew, while always playing second fiddle whenever the Yankees have interest in a guy.

    Posted by Will December 23, 08 04:20 PM
  1. If Sox were w/in $10M of this offer (regardless of clauses) then they either blew it or Teix never wanted to play in Boston. This one hurts.

    Posted by Dave December 23, 08 04:20 PM
  1. Let's keep it real, ownership was not aggressive enough to sign TEX...Yanks have dictated the whole free agency and showed him the "MONEY" and tell me who wouldnt sign $180 million for 8/yrs? Its going to be interesting what the SOX will do next ...its plain and simple they need to acquire another bat...LET GO SOX!!!

    Posted by John December 23, 08 04:21 PM
  1. There goes my holiday spirit. Yankee b******s!!!!!

    Posted by Jay December 23, 08 04:21 PM
  1. Hey, the Yankees have Sabathia, Burnett, and now Tex, and the Sox have new hats and new road uniforms- you do the math.

    Posted by Boom Boom Was Here December 23, 08 04:21 PM
  1. Tex wasn't worth that kind of money. He's very good but not the best.

    Why not get Ken Griffey, Jr. for a year. Then the next year, Lars Anderson will be ready for the big league and better than Manny or Tex.

    Posted by ellymjones@aol.com December 23, 08 04:21 PM
  1. Got to hand it to them, they're dead serious about winning, I just wish Theo had the same tenacity that Cashman does. I really don't care about the amount of money - if Theo had spent that and landed Tex, we'd be dancing in the streets.

    Posted by walthambill December 23, 08 04:21 PM
  1. Good, I don't know how to spell that ahole's last name anyway

    Posted by herbie December 23, 08 04:21 PM
  1. These outrageous deals. People are suckers. While so much going around, it seems the entertainers are not affected by it.

    Posted by sena December 23, 08 04:21 PM
  1. Tex batted .154 in Fenway Park over the past three seasons

    Posted by moving on December 23, 08 04:22 PM
  1. Not worried, thought that was a little much for a first basemen. Would have loved the bat, but now this gives lars anderson a shot at developing at first. We can still sign Lowe and TEk and grab a 4th outfielder. The Sox didnt need much. I think this is a dumb move on TEX part...aging yanks team, means he has a 1-2 year window to win the big one.

    Posted by Matt December 23, 08 04:22 PM
  1. THE RED SOX DID NOT GET TEX BECAUSE OF THE NO TRADE CLAUSE.

    Plain and simple.

    Posted by Realitycheck December 23, 08 04:22 PM
  1. Yo Hoss! I agree with you. I'll go to a PawSox game anyday over paying the ridiculous prices at Fenway just so the MLB teams can continue to pay these prima donnas their bloated salaries. No player is worth 8 -9 years for $170-$180 Million. What a joke.

    The best part about all of this is that the team that won the AL penant last season was Tampa Bay - the team with one of the lowest payrolls in baseball. GO RAYS!!!

    Posted by Rob December 23, 08 04:22 PM
  1. After all the emotion, it comes down to this: The Yankees have the financial strength to get whoever they want through free agency. WHOEVER THEY WANT. Period. Tex was never going anywhere else, IF the Yankees wanted him. Same with Sabathia, Same with Burnett, Same with Manny or any remaining free agent.

    There is absolutely no point in "blaming" the Sox front office for "blowing it" because the Yankees will always be able to go a million more here, a million more there. Its just the way it is. Obviously Boras tried to leverage the Sox and Yanks against each other, and Boston would jjust have none of it. Let him go, and trust our front office. Championships teams are not built by buying the biggest free agents. They have earned that trust.

    Don't forget what the Yankees have had to replace...20 game winner in Mussina, Abreu, Giambi, and maybe still Pettitte. They are younger and better, but nowhere near unbeatable, especially with an aging shortstop, catcher, and closer

    Posted by Tim December 23, 08 04:22 PM
  1. doesn't selig have to step in at some point and say no to these deals? how can the mlb let this stand? You have teams that should be playing in little league and 3-4 that are going to actually compete every year. why not just go back to 6 -12 teams and the rest can be minor league cities. this is just total garbage. at least over the next 8 years the yanks will be right back to where they were last year with overpriced injured old foggies! It isn't even 2009 and I hate baseball.

    Posted by soxguyinaz December 23, 08 04:22 PM
  1. People, relax--how many times have the Yankees signed or traded for the unbelieveable player who the Red Sox HAD to have? A Rod? Javier Vasquez?Randy Johnson? Giambi? Sheffield? Judas Damon? Bobby Abreau? Clemens when he returned? Yes, maybe this pushes the Yankees to the point of being unbeatable, but I don't think it's that simple. Yes, I do think the Red Sox will be a bit challenged offensively, but I still like the chemistry of this club. One more thing--don't forget about Texeira' average in/at Fenway...for a PR conscious guy like Texeira (think A-Rod)), he' going to be under a great deal of pressure.

    Posted by Drew December 23, 08 04:23 PM
  1. The last time I had this pit in my stomach was when the Yankees swooped in to steal A-Rod. In hindsight, I'd never want A-Rod on the Sox, but that was pre-2004 and he seemed like our savior. When the Yankees got him, I assumed they'd win the WS for the next decade. It was sickening. Just like this is. Perhaps A-Rod, the source of this same wretched feeling five years ago is actually now the source of consollation. His signing typified the problem the Yankees have always had--the individual parts are much greater than the sum of those parts in the Bronx for whatever reason. That being said, I think Theo and Henry will deservedly take some heat on this. It's great to be fiscally responsible and stick to a plan but it's not like the Yankees came with $200M. Their offer was not far above the Sox' offer. Why did Theo quibble with Boras, show him up with the announcement last week and then get smoked when the Yankees worked out a deal in a few hours that the Sox couldn't get done in a matter of week. Theo has made some trades and rebuilt a formidable farm system but his free agency record is shaky. Big deals for Dice K and Drew, while always playing second fiddle whenever the Yankees have interest in a guy.

    Posted by Will December 23, 08 04:23 PM
  1. The problem here is the Boston media leading us on. The Red Sox brass has not said anything about Teixeira except that they were no longer in it. Where does all this speculation come from? It will be all right. We lost ARod and Damon and that has not hurt at all.

    Posted by paul in california December 23, 08 04:23 PM
  1. No outfield, no catcher, 4 DHs, no bullpen, a 43 year old closer and a second basemen who can't field. Burnett will blow his arm out in Spring Training. Yanks = Third place in the East.

    Posted by Paul Orndorff December 23, 08 04:23 PM
  1. These deals are ridiculous. They are ruining this sport. The guy is not God. He is a baseball player. Let them take on that ridiculous amount and ridiculous amount of years. Morons. I am also sick of the hype around this and how all week it has been the Red Sox and at the final minute all of a sudden it is the Yanks once again. I am so tired of this repeating scenario. Go Sox.

    Posted by Tim December 23, 08 04:23 PM
  1. I'm not that upset we did not get him. I was torn on whether he was worth it or not. What upsets me is how lopsided baseball is payroll wise, maybe that is why I like football better. If I was a citizen of New York I would be upset that my tax dollars paid for the new stadium if they can afford to overspend on players they should not be asking for more money.

    Posted by fifty8th December 23, 08 04:24 PM
  1. HATERS!!!

    Posted by Joe December 23, 08 04:24 PM
  1. typical of the sox, do nothing while yankees get better, 3rd place in 09!

    Posted by Dave WW December 23, 08 04:24 PM
  1. Now we know why Henry sent the email. Tex wanted a full no-trade clause and the Sox were unwilling to give it to him. I give Tex a lot of credit for asking for the full no-trade clause instead of a BS opt-out clause which many recent big $$ deals have included. The team wants to Tex commit to them and Tex wants the team to commit to him. I think he's overrated. I'd save my $$ for Mauer or Pujols in two years. If Tex is worth 8@$22.5M what is Pujols worth?

    Posted by no trade December 23, 08 04:25 PM
  1. just another example that MLB isn't about baseball or cities or loyalty. It's a business, and their sole concern is about money.

    Posted by John Mc December 23, 08 04:25 PM
  1. Calm down people. We were ONE game away from reaching the World Series last year....and that was without Lowell and an injured Ortiz/Beckett. Last I checked, Sabathia has one of the worst track records in October in MLB history. We absolutely shelled the guy in 2007. What has Burnett ever done?and Teixeria is OVERRATED. The guy's been on 4 teams in 3 seasons...

    Posted by Scott December 23, 08 04:26 PM
  1. I agree with the sentiment that Boras should be punished. Tell him they aren't interested in V-tek. Thanks but not thanks. Never deal with Boras.

    Posted by Grego December 23, 08 04:26 PM
  1. Tex is overrated!
    He's not that good. Youuuuukkkkkkk

    I want Maleky Cabrera

    Posted by Joe Cronan December 23, 08 04:26 PM
  1. Tex is overrated!
    He's not that good. Youuuuukkkkkkk

    I want Maleky Cabrera

    Posted by Joe Cronan December 23, 08 04:26 PM
  1. Tex is overrated!
    He's not that good. Youuuuukkkkkkk

    I want Maleky Cabrera

    Posted by Joe Cronan December 23, 08 04:26 PM
  1. Getting Tex would have been great, but he's not the end all be all. BACK OFF THE LEDGE SOX FANS, the guys over on Yawkey way will find a way to make this roll off without hurting too much. Pitching wins championships and the Yank's CC disappears in the payoffs, Burnett is unpredictable, and EVERY lineup can slump when it faces good pitching.

    Solidify our staff even more and oh by the way, I'll take Mike Lowell as our consolation prize any day of the week. Tex became a media obsession that consumed us. LOWELL - GLAD TO STILL HAVE YOU @ 3RD BASE!

    Tex becaome

    Posted by Adam December 23, 08 04:26 PM
  1. I really just wish that Theo would make a play for Peavy. I know it will cost prospects but pitching is still 90% of the game and this guy is under contract and entering his prime. There is no other move or free agent they could sign that would get me excited about this upcoming season. Lowe's an aging pitcher that's just going to stand in the way of a prospect's development. If that's the case then trade the prospects and get Peavy!

    Posted by ATLsoxFan December 23, 08 04:26 PM
  1. How many time is Boras going to play with the Redsox to get the price up and then run to the Yankees for a deal and his huge payday.

    Posted by Jason December 23, 08 04:26 PM
  1. Good job Red Sox!

    You know, I really didn't mind if the Sox didn't get him.....but that was before he signed with the Yanks. Now, the Red Sox look like freakin' idiots. Oh well....

    GO CELTICS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    GO BRUINS!!!!!!

    Posted by bizona December 23, 08 04:27 PM
  1. Thank you John Henry for allowing the Yankees to buy themselves a world series. It was fun while it lasted now we can reclaim our spot under the yankees, blue jays, and rays...we really blew this one. Thanks for ruining Christmas

    Posted by Jeff December 23, 08 04:27 PM
  1. It seems like a dark day for the Sox, but this could turn out being the best thing that ever happened. First off, honestly, I was really getting turned off by this Texeira guy. He seems like a big, money grubbing, baby to me. He's always got that stupid, sour puss look on his face. It would have taken some time to get in his corner, maybe for a lot of Sox fans. But, Mike Lowell, Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkiliss, David Ortiz, Jason Bay, even J.D. Drew are guys you want to root for. They get it. Shoot Lowell took less to stay in Boston. That's the kind of guy I want on my team. Who knows, maybe the Yankees just bought another World Series, or maybe they bought themselves another "me first" player and the season of infamy. Only time will tell. But, I tell you what, while this current Sox team is alot less talented than the one they would have had had they added Texeira, but it's also alot easier to root for. I just hope Lowell is not too ticked off to come back and play for the Sox.

    Posted by pete22 December 23, 08 04:27 PM
  1. What a joke. How can this sport survive one team paying the top 4 salaries in the game. I understand the difficulty in a Salary Cap but you can't miss the stupidity of one team being capable of spending at such huge gap to the others. The Sox aren't poor but the rest of the league, Sox included, will need to apply for a government bailout to compete at these numbers.

    Posted by TEH December 23, 08 04:27 PM
  1. We are back to a management team that is too cheap to win. Next year's lineup will be a weak sister to the Yankees. The Red Sox charge OUTRAGEOUS amounts of money to see a game and now they refuse to spend it on product. It's time for the fans to vote with their feet and end the sellout streak.

    Catcher that barely hits 200. Shortstop that hits 220. Centerfielder who hits 220. Rightfielder who is injury prone. Third baseman that is injury prone. Becket not the same last year and was probably hurt. Weak ass relief outside of decent setup and good closer. Still no 4th and fifth starters to speak of.


    SCREW THEM. Screw the GLOBE who under reports this FAILURE. SCREW the Yankees for spending so much money and SCREW BORAS for being so smart.

    Posted by Angrysoxfan December 23, 08 04:27 PM
  1. Best move Theo has made since he's been in charge. Paying A-Rod money for a "good" ballplayer. Give the money to Youk and Pap.

    Posted by Rich December 23, 08 04:27 PM
  1. Who cares? I still have to work everyday. The Red Sox will compete either way. The Yankees over paid as usual, but you know what? It really does not affect me or my family. I'll root for the Red Sox either way. Go Sox.

    Posted by Dan December 23, 08 04:27 PM
  1. People need to relax. Everyone keeps bringing up A-Rod and how the Sox let him get away. Correct me if I'm wrong but since the A-Rod was signed the Sox of won 2 World Series and the Yankees haven't won any. The Sox were lucky A-Rod got away and time will show that not overpaying for Texiera will be a wise move as well. Any early post said it correctly, the Yankees are once again collecting talent. Do not confuse this with assembling a team.

    That being said, the Red Sox do have some work to do. They need some protection for Ortiz (not sure what's left) and they need another pitcher (D Lowe?).

    Posted by Bella's Dad December 23, 08 04:28 PM
  1. Who cares, Teix is not worth $180 million. Now they can re-sign Youk, trade for Peavy and find another bat elsewhere. Don't forget the Sox were a healthy Beckett and Lowell away from another World Series title last year, and I expect them to get better with a move like Peavy this year.

    Posted by Matty December 23, 08 04:28 PM
  1. If you are spending that sort of stupid money, you'd better have a franchise player.
    I'd say this makes it more likely that the Sox go after an offensive catcher to make up for the upgrade in offense we might have gotten from Teixeira over Lowell. This one hurts about two years out, not now. Let's hope Jed Anderson is ready by then, and that Lowell recovers well from surgery.

    Posted by LeftOut December 23, 08 04:28 PM
  1. Great move! No need to spend over $20 mil per year when we have Youk and the flexibility to sign others.

    Posted by G December 23, 08 04:28 PM
  1. I guess John Henry is pretty worried that the consecutive sellout streak comes crashing down with the Mass economy. Short of a big expenditure for a Lowe, the Sox figure to enter the 2009 season with a 25-Man payroll of no more than 110M.

    Posted by Don December 23, 08 04:28 PM
  1. Texeira will be booed even more than Damon. I don't blame Henry for being disgusted with his greed.

    Posted by Jason December 23, 08 04:28 PM
  1. Totally stupid of the Sox to let him get away!
    Theo and crew get ready to take a back seat to the Yankees for the next whole bunch of years..
    Way to go you tight fisted sob"s

    Posted by eta32 December 23, 08 04:28 PM
  1. I hate Scott Boras!

    Posted by Andrew December 23, 08 04:28 PM
  1. It's a business, us fans can not be emotional about these business dealings anymore. If you think baseball is the same as the early 70s and earlier, you're just fooling yourselves. Henry is a billionaire. Not because he wants to make you happy. Because he is a savvy business man. He knows what he's doing with his money and his business. Red Sox Nation? C'mon, the biggest marketing ploy in baseball. Keep buying the shirts, jackets, hats, beers. Keep watching NESN. Keep putting money in the owners pockets. They'll keep the sox on the fringe of success forever. But never will they shell out the dough the Yankees do. And Henry has nmore money!

    Posted by logicalfan December 23, 08 04:28 PM
  1. I know what it was: Tex did not want to wear that hanging two-sox cap - ever. Can't blame him.

    Posted by RedStripe December 23, 08 04:29 PM
  1. These are the same yankees that have asked the state and city of New York to give them $450 million for their park! Maybe the state and city should stop funding the player pay wars and force the Evil Empire to pay their own way.

    Posted by JoeDaddy December 23, 08 04:29 PM
  1. I dont think hes gonna have that much effect on the yankees. hes not worth the money and the yankees sign great individuals, not a team. The Rays proved just last season you cant buy a team. I for one am happy we didnt sign him. hes not all that great. plus there is now all the pressure in the world on the yankees, do you realize how big of a joke in baseball they will be if they dont win the WS? and now manny has no where to go so it all works out for the best

    Posted by Mike December 23, 08 04:29 PM
  1. Oh my god. People need to chill out. Not signing Teixeira doesn't mean it is the end of the world.

    Besides, here is something to remember: Teixeira is a lifetime .194 hitter at Fenway Park with a .637 OPS.

    Theo has done a lot worse. Trading Gabbard and Murphy for Gagne being on the top of that list.

    Posted by Dave December 23, 08 04:29 PM
  1. I think it is funny how people are blasting the Sox for talking a lot of talk, but not stepping up. They were almost in the World Series last year. And, they would have beat the Rays if they were even remotely healthy. What the hell are people complaining about, regarding one player. I assume Tex will be good in New York. But, is there anybody out there that really knows if AJ or CC will be dominant?

    C'mon, this is far from over. There are plenty of players to be had, especially in July when Lowell's health is determined and Clay bounces back. The Sox have a lot of prospects they can move if the Yanks prove to be dominant. I think the Sox are waiting to see how the Yanks' rotation pans out before they panic and overspend. I think the Sox would have liked Tex at a certain price and Boras as usual drove that price up. So, the Sox then let the Yanks overpay, only move left on the table. People, let’s see what CC and AJ do for a few months before we hand this to the Yanks.

    Posted by waitandsee December 23, 08 04:29 PM
  1. "over rated, no heart, over-paid, not-a-winner, greedy" you knuckleheads wouldn't be saying these things if the Sox ownership would have ponied up a couple mil and signed Tex.

    Posted by Slappy McDingle December 23, 08 04:29 PM
  1. Teixeira is a howdy-doody character with the personality of a face cloth. He'll choke like everyone else on the Yankees (other than Jeter).

    Posted by Mansfield_Dude December 23, 08 04:29 PM
  1. Quit whining people!!!

    Posted by OldNavyChief December 23, 08 04:29 PM
  1. He can buy a lot of chourico for that money. The G*d D**m Portugee

    Posted by Chaya December 23, 08 04:30 PM
  1. I'm curious why, if this guy is sooooo great he's been traded twice in six years. Pujols hasn't been traded twice in six years, can't compare the two. Yuckees suck and now the got sucked in.

    Posted by don anderson December 23, 08 04:30 PM
  1. Way too much money for a corner infielder, unless he is one of the top handful of hitters in the game (e.g., Albert Pujols). I know A-R$d is now a cornerman, but he is the best shortstop in New York (the other one is fading fast, and never was as good as A-Rod). A-Rod is not one of the best defensive 3b in the game. Mike Lowell is clearly better. The skanks hurt themselves at two positions by playing A-Rod at third just to keep Jeter's feelings from being hurt.

    Posted by Jim Nagle December 23, 08 04:30 PM
  1. He was not worth that kind of money and the other overpaid Yanks have proven this. I think we have the scappiest players and a couple of reasonable trades and we will be in the fight again next year. Merry X-Mas to all!

    Posted by Denis December 23, 08 04:31 PM

  1. Only in Major League Baseball,
    can a team buy itself, for the most part, 26 championships and playoff spots a dozen years in a row (until last year.) The Yankees have doing this since 1918. It wasn’t just Babe Ruth; they bought five or six of the best Sox players and….the rest is history. Steinbrenner bought more titles in the ’70s and ’90s and now his son is about to do the same. What a farce.

    Money talks – and nowhere it is allowed to talk loudest than in MLB. Whatever the other pro leagues do -salary caps or whatever – it is a lot more of level playing field there than in baseball. I blame the rest of the MLB owners and their hapless commissione to keep allowing this travesty.

    Posted by Craig Connell December 23, 08 04:31 PM
  1. What the Sox have now done is danced around this clown for a month like they have done before, and in the meantime, done NOTHING to improve this club. They have no catcher, an aging third basemen, no big bat to protect Ortiz, (who we could be witnessing the Mo Vaughn like decline), no fifth starter, and a shaky bull pen. Way to go John Henry. You should have known the Skanks would pull this and found a way to get this OR another significant deal done! So the Yanks have added the two best free agent pitchers, and the best available everyday player.....meanwhile the Sox have signed a no name pitcher from Japan.
    All you FOOLS who continue to pay the king's ransom for tickets while the sox sign the Julio Lugo's of the world need your heads examined.

    Posted by Mickman December 23, 08 04:31 PM
  1. The sox should be ashamed that they let this happen...Imagine Mike Lowell was all but traded until an hour ago...Time for what a lot of other posters have mentioned, SALARY CAP in baseball. It is becoming a JOKE
    Merry Christmas Boston fans... First , the Jets could potentially control the outcome of the AFC East and The GRINCH (boras) has struck again... I HATE NY!!!!

    Posted by done with baseball go pats December 23, 08 04:31 PM
  1. Why are any of you suprised?

    John Henry already told us that the Sox were not going to be a factor. What's all the surprise about?

    Posted by JJ December 23, 08 04:31 PM
  1. Why don't we play the 162 game season before we crown anyone champs. Relax and enjoy the holidays.

    Posted by sjc December 23, 08 04:32 PM
  1. No Bullpen??? The Yanks had one of the best bullpens in the league. A 43 year old closer??? Come on, you are really gonna talk @#$$ about Rivera? Lets face it, they got better. And for about the same payroll as last year.

    Posted by Ralph December 23, 08 04:32 PM
  1. Right now, you'd have to project the Red Sox as a 3rd place team. They have $40 million in cash to spend, but will they? Maybe Henry is suffering financially in the economic downturn.

    Posted by Steven December 23, 08 04:32 PM
  1. EVERYONE needs to just relax. The Yankees made some dumb moves CC, Burnett??? Sure Teixeira would have been a great acquisition but let`s be real. The Red Sox rotation is still much better. I`d take Lester over CC. Dice K AND Beckett are better than any of the Yankees other starters. The Red Sox will be fine. If the Red Sox countered with 190 million, would the Yankees then offer 200 million? Let him go.

    Posted by Steve December 23, 08 04:32 PM
  1. He never wanted to be a Red Sox. Don't tell me $10 million is a life style change
    Jowe

    Posted by Joe December 23, 08 04:32 PM
  1. MERRY CHRISTMAS MR. BORAS! YOU DESERVE IT. HAVE A NICE DINNER WITH TEX AND FAMILY. I HOPE YOU GET A BAD ICE CUBE.

    COAL FOR JOHN HENRY...BAD BAD BAD.....

    Posted by CELEBRATED EARLY December 23, 08 04:32 PM
  1. I'm glad we didn't get him. Extend Youk's contract, keep the farm system going and get some veteran pitching. The Yanks can pay all they want - doesn't mean they'll win. Remember, Tampa won with a super low budget. Detroit lost even though they had the uber team. And Girardi is no Torre.

    Imagine if the Sox signed Tex for $180 mil. Then how would Youk or Pedroia feel if they put up similar or better numbers?

    In this economic climate overpaying for players is not good for the team. Let this go.

    Posted by Rajiv December 23, 08 04:32 PM
  1. Don't worry..Sabathia's arm will fall off (thanks Brewers) and Burnett doesn't know the difference between being hurt and injured. Once he misses a couple starts due to 'pain', the New Yorkers will be all over him and he will not be a factor.

    Have faith, have faith.

    Posted by Kevin Begley December 23, 08 04:32 PM
  1. I love hearing all you Red Sox fans all of the sudden talking about a salary cap in baseball. Hello pot this is the kettle, your black!!! Your management brought a knife to a gun fight and the result was no surprise. Being the fan of a smaller market team, our days of grooming good players for large market teams have made me numb to deals like this. Just wait until the Yankees sign Manny to cap off the Winter buying spree. If that happens I think some of you will be step a little further out on the ledge. You have your two World Series rings now sit down and shut up.

    Posted by Dave December 23, 08 04:32 PM
  1. Baseball is becoming an EXTREME joke without a salary cap.

    Yah, letting teams buy championships is fun.

    You all need to go watch the Bruins, thats a TEAM, something the Sox and Yankees could only hope to achieve.

    Posted by JuliaGulia December 23, 08 04:33 PM
  1. from the bottom of my heart...bring back the best 3. 4. punch this game has ever seen in the post-season...MAAAAANNNNNNNYYYYYYY and PAAAAPPPPPIIIIIIIIIIII...Theo I dont know how you will change things around in the field but for cry sakes just do it...OR GET A LOT OF PITCHING...PEAVY, LOWE, SHEETS. we'll sink the empire in pitching...its just gonna be a another waste of $$$$$$$$$ for the Yankees. haha ill laugh when the Red Sox are winning in the post season and the yankees have to ask the mayor of New York for a little extra cash to pay for the players that didnt do anything for them...the DL is waiting for AJ and we'll see if CC can do as good as he did in the NL cause we know he didn't do that well in AL

    Posted by advice101 December 23, 08 04:33 PM
  1. Texiera for $20 mill a year or Pedroia for $8 mill. I like our deal better. I can't believe how many people are bad mouthing the front office and referencing the A-Rod deal years back. Hello... how much good has A-Rod done the Yankees??? What have we done since that trade, only win 2 Championships. Look at Nomar, Pedro, and Damon. All unpopular decisions at the time but look how things turned out. How can you not trust the front office after what we've seen the last 6 years. You guys think this was a bad decision? Fine, stay home. I'll take your tickets and go watch a class team play a great game of ball.

    Posted by Nick December 23, 08 04:34 PM
  1. It's going to be a riot to watch the Yankees fail with all that egocentic, overpriced talent. You can't buy team chemistry! Haven't the Yankees already proven that in this decade? Now, go out and use the money to pick up a few more good pitchers.

    Posted by marzxyz December 23, 08 04:34 PM
  1. Time for all of the disappointed sox fans to start watching the Bruins kick as$!

    Posted by blackandgold December 23, 08 04:34 PM
  1. Are you kidding me? The Red Sox stand pat and let the Yankees get exponentially better. True, the Red Sox were a game away from the World Series, but the lost out to an inter-divisional rival whom they finished second to. Now, while the Rays will be returning an almost identical team, the Yankees have made themselves the top contender to dethrone the Rays. As it stands, the Red Sox are banking on a pitching staff that has not definitive 5th starter, question marks with Josh Beckett after a below average season, and an aging Tim Wakefield who is no better than a .500 pitcher. Not to mention the fact that JD Drew can't stay healthy, Mike Lowell is a question mark, and Bid Papi may be past his prime.

    Posted by John A. December 23, 08 04:34 PM
  1. John Henry was right. The Red Sox won't be a factor....in the playoffs.

    Posted by brian December 23, 08 04:34 PM
  1. It's very simple: The Yankees must win the the World Series or the entire season is a failure. Simple as that. They MUST win the Series or it's an unmitigated disaster. No pressure, Tex, you greedy piece of shite.

    Posted by Tim December 23, 08 04:35 PM
  1. Just an FYI everyone...The Yanks WILL sign Manny next.

    Posted by fer19 December 23, 08 04:35 PM
  1. My DirecTV monthly bill is too high anyway. This will make the decision much easier to cancel the MLB package.

    Posted by ATLsoxFan December 23, 08 04:35 PM
  1. The Red Sox will be just fine if Lowell and Papi return to good health. Now we can get a quality pitcher to fill the 5th spot in the rotation along with Tek if we want, and we will have plenty of available cash to go after Pujols and Mauer in 2010!

    Posted by Chris December 23, 08 04:35 PM
  1. The Red Sox are the best baseball operation on the planet, but just like it's pitching that counts in big games, it's money that counts when competing for free agents. Is the Sox organization good enough to beat the Yankee money? Who cares. We've all been through this before. All of our lives in fact. We can thank John Henry and Theo for washing the bad taste out of our mouths. Now we can spit on MLB and move on. The Yankees make the game dark and ugly. The best thing we fans can do is STOP GOING AND STOP WATCHING until there's a salary cap that restores finally brings balanced competition.

    Posted by Wb December 23, 08 04:35 PM
  1. Stop. Breathe. Look at their bullpen. Relax.

    Posted by dethan33 December 23, 08 04:36 PM
  1. Resession? What resession? The Yankees seem to have ownership of the US Mint. How is this possible?

    Posted by James Anderson December 23, 08 04:36 PM
  1. Calm down people. Starting pitching rules in baseball! The Yanks added CC, who needs to win 20 just to fill in for the departure of Messina. Burnett had one good (contract) year when he wasn't injured, the Yankees have their fingers crossed that this often injured pitcher stays healthy. Other than that, the Yanks have done little to shore up their pitching. Remember when we thought that A-Rod was going to win them championships. How did that work out? Also, the Sox's brass are not chumps, they do play in an ancient facility whose time has long past, and their is a limitation on what they can do. The Yanks have tons of cash to spend with a brand spanking new facility, and Boras knew they were in the spending mood, and could simply swoop down at the last minute while others had to haggle over time. And finally, the best team in the East is Tampa, neither Boston nor the Yankees have the quality young arms and positional players that they do.

    Posted by rlval December 23, 08 04:36 PM
  1. from the bottom of my heart...bring back the best 3. 4. punch this game has ever seen in the post-season...MAAAAANNNNNNNYYYYYYY and PAAAAPPPPPIIIIIIIIIIII...Theo I dont know how you will change things around in the field but for cry sakes just do it...OR GET A LOT OF PITCHING...PEAVY, LOWE, SHEETS. we'll sink the empire in pitching...its just gonna be a another waste of $$$$$$$$$ for the Yankees. haha ill laugh when the Red Sox are winning in the post season and the yankees have to ask the mayor of New York for a little extra cash to pay for the players that didnt do anything for them...the DL is waiting for AJ and we'll see if CC can do as good as he did in the NL cause we know he didn't do that well in AL...at least the SOX can actually develop guys in the farm system

    Posted by advice101 December 23, 08 04:36 PM
  1. Oh well we'll still beat them.

    Posted by chaz December 23, 08 04:36 PM
  1. The Yankees will implode before long. Too many egos, a spineless manager, and clueless ownership. Money doesn't buy championships. Tito & Co. will do fine without Tex, who has never won. If the Sox invest in the team they have, they'll be fine. They have too much talent to be lost just because of one player. It will be fun to watch this play out over the next few years. GO SOX!!

    Posted by Rick December 23, 08 04:37 PM
  1. sorry sox fans this time you lose .. george

    Posted by tim mahoney December 23, 08 04:37 PM
  1. Anyone claiming the yankees still wont make the playoffs is completely wrong. I'm a Red Sox fan, but the signing of Teixeira cripples the Sox. The offense is what let us down last season, not the pitching. Without a big bat to protect Ortiz, he saw literally NOTHING to hit and that's why he looked bad. Youk, Lowell, Bay, Drew... All #5 hitters. The Sox made a huge mistake announcing they were out. It opened the door for the Yankees to say "What was their deal? 170 mil? We're going 180 mil." Since the Sox were not going to rebid, they were doomed. Theo and Henry let this one slip away, and unless the Rays fall apart this season like the Tigers did, then the Sox will not compete this year. The Sox will not sell the farm to get Peavy, and we do not need pitching. I'd say beg the A's to trade us Holliday (since he's only a 1 year rental for them) but I'm not sure where we could play him. We need a bat, badlyt.

    Posted by Jon98 December 23, 08 04:37 PM
  1. My question is what is the Red Sox brass doing with my hard earned money that I spend to go to games and on merchandise? I hope they know that the sellout streak just ended.

    Posted by Tim December 23, 08 04:37 PM
  1. While I am not happy with him going to the Yankees, has anyone calmed down enough to compare his numbers with Giambi? Other than this providing some actual defense in the first base position and that only will impact if Burnett and Sabathia's ground balls go that way, which they don't, I still don't see how this changes them.

    Posted by Kate December 23, 08 04:37 PM
  1. It was expected...deja vu. With the four highest-salaried players in baseball, the Yankees can buy anyone they want. Prostitutes should be so fortunate in their negotiations.

    Posted by JRab December 23, 08 04:37 PM
  1. Money doesn't mean crap. If they overpay, so what! The Devil Rays made it to the top, so the Red Sox can as well, even though the Sox pay much more than the Rays did also!!!! Cry in your Sam Adams Brew.

    Posted by theresa December 23, 08 04:37 PM
  1. I am betting that it was the complete no-trade that put the Yankees over the hump. The Sox were not going to offer a no-trade or an opt-out and that is most likely what made Henry give his "no factor" comment.

    Posted by Reuben December 23, 08 04:38 PM
  1. This is why I don't know why I'm a sox fan. No it's not because we didn't sign Mark Teixeira it' s because I'm amazed at how people are reacting. All of you who think the Yankees are on the fast track to a championship look at last years detroit tigers. God these types of sox fans annoy me so much. We don't make a signing and you guys write this team off even though we we were so close to the series last year. Unbeliveable how bandwagon everyone is. You don't get this with the Pats, Celtics, and Bruins I'll tell you that much.

    Posted by Sox 2009 Champs December 23, 08 04:38 PM
  1. This is why I don't know why I'm a sox fan. No it's not because we didn't sign Mark Teixeira it' s because I'm amazed at how people are reacting. All of you who think the Yankees are on the fast track to a championship look at last years detroit tigers. God these types of sox fans annoy me so much. We don't make a signing and you guys write this team off even though we we were so close to the series last year. Unbeliveable how bandwagon everyone is. You don't get this with the Pats, Celtics, and Bruins I'll tell you that much.

    Posted by Sox 2009 Champs December 23, 08 04:38 PM
  1. SHAME ON YOU JOHN HENRY AND LARRY LUCCHINO FOR LETTING THIS HAPPEN! OVER A FEW MILLION DOLLARS YOU LET A CAN'T MISS PLAYER SLIP THROUGH YOUR FINGERS... AND NOW HE'S A YANKEE. I HOPE THE REST OF RED SOX NATION CAN REALIZE THE TRUTH ABOUT YOU AND YOUR MONEY GRUBBING WAYS, BECAUSE NOW WE ARE DOOMED TO YEARS OF 3RD PLACE FINISHES WITHOUT ANY LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL.

    Posted by Harry Sinden, Too Cheap to Compete December 23, 08 04:38 PM
  1. ok, lets move on mike lowell and youk are good ball players also, we are not locked into this for 8 years when we have a much better farm system. tex's #'s and sabathia #'s come mostly for the n.l. they let giambi go and his #'s aren't that far off then tex's , mucina gone then they let abreu go if anything they are about the same as last year. which was 3rd place!!!! GO SOX

    Posted by daveinfl December 23, 08 04:38 PM
  1. where do the red sox get the balls to have some of the highest ticket prices, and then not go out and get a key free agent.? its too bad the sox havent improved their team when last year they werent good enough. DONT SIGN VERITEK....'calling a good game' is overrated

    Posted by nate December 23, 08 04:39 PM
  1. Who really cares, this doesnt affect your life. If you are that upset you need to get a life. Too greedy to be in Boston anyway. They can use the money in other ways. Sign Lowe or Penny to reasonable deals. They have enough hitting, plus this leaves Manny homeless.

    Posted by jay December 23, 08 04:39 PM
  1. Won't matter when Burnett and Sabathia are on the DL and Arod gets in a fight with Tex over Madonna.

    Posted by Bartles December 23, 08 04:39 PM
  1. AngrySoxFan--can I have your tickets :)

    Ever heard of the Rays? Seen their salaries? Issue is how to blend them with the right veterans. Yanks now lose more draft picks. Teixeira not much of an upgrade over Lowell overall. Not worth a no trade and the money.

    Watch what a Lowrie without a broken bone, an Ortiz without a bad Wrist, and Lowell without a bad Hip will be this year. J.D. Drew--that was another Theo erection selection, like Renteria and Lugo

    Posted by LeftOut December 23, 08 04:39 PM
  1. In an age where unemployment is rampant, the economy the pits, the average American is finding it more difficult that ever to provide the basics...and it's a given that we, the fans, are the ones who pay the salaries in the end. It is obscene to pay those kinds of salaires...there is absolutely NOTHING in my mind that justifies paying that kind of money because NOBODY is THAT good when taken in perspective....The fans who love sports and the SOX, want to be able to go to a game at least now and then....enuf of the fat cat mentality! Money doesn't buy the best as it takes MORE than money and the Red Sox have it over the Yanks any day of the week! Time to be reasonable.

    Posted by Judi Stebbins December 23, 08 04:40 PM
  1. It's ok. We can get more pitching that is what we need anyway.

    Posted by Right on December 23, 08 04:40 PM
  1. When will the Yankee$ learn? We've seen the proof during the past 8 years that money can't always buy championships, but they're still at it. Oh well. We'll see if their fans are still gloating when the Sox are in the postseason and the Yank$ are teeing off on the golf course.

    Posted by Jerimy December 23, 08 04:40 PM
  1. 180M for a stupid baseball player is a joke. No athlete should get paid that kind of money, especially in a sport that requires no physical conditioning.

    Posted by Joe Schmoe December 23, 08 04:40 PM
  1. No big surprise. Cashman has proven that he can no longer build a team from within so he needs to dig into Steinbrenners deep pockets. I much prefer the way the Sox have built their teams for the last few years and love watching the young kids come up. Let's face it, all Yankee fans can root for is mercenaries - I kind of feel bad for them because management has screwed that team up so bad. We'll see how this all plays out - it is not all doom and gloom like some pink hatters will lead us to believe.

    Posted by B December 23, 08 04:41 PM
  1. Manny will probably go to the bronx next

    Posted by robert December 23, 08 04:41 PM
  1. The time has come for a salary cap in baseball. I know there is revenue sharing but this cannot continue. As it is right now the working family cannot attend games. Its time to see how can find the right talent at the right price and everyone has the same payroll figure to deal with.

    Posted by Bruce December 23, 08 04:41 PM
  1. The time has come for a salary cap in baseball. I know there is revenue sharing but this cannot continue. As it is right now the working family cannot attend games. Its time to see how can find the right talent at the right price and everyone has the same payroll figure to deal with.

    Posted by Bruce December 23, 08 04:41 PM
  1. To all the people who are complaining about this: what are you stupid? This is great that the Yankees keep overpaying for over-hyped Boras talent. PITCHING WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS. All these big contracts in NY - AROD, JETER, TEXIERA - they won't do anything other than waste Yankee fan money.
    Don't whine - laugh at the silly Yankees!

    Posted by John December 23, 08 04:41 PM
  1. The time has come for a salary cap in baseball. I know there is revenue sharing but this cannot continue. As it is right now the working family cannot attend games. Its time to see how can find the right talent at the right price and everyone has the same payroll figure to deal with.

    Posted by Bruce December 23, 08 04:41 PM
  1. pressure is on the Yanks now for years to come....keep spending Skank, the Sox will be just fine

    Posted by johnson December 23, 08 04:41 PM
  1. Go Bruins!

    Posted by mvega$ December 23, 08 04:41 PM
  1. Go Bruins!

    Posted by mvega$ December 23, 08 04:41 PM
  1. I can't believe so many guys are jumping off the bridge already. I just checked and the Yankees haven't won a game yet in the '09 season. Predictions: the last 3 years of Sabathia's contract are wasted money; the Sox eat his lunch in '09 as they did in '07; Burnett doesn't play a whole season ever again in his life (when did he ever play a whole season?); Johnny Damon will be one year older next year; Posada will hit .265/17/77 next year; the Yankees will win the AL East next year, the Sox will win the WC, play the Angels, beat them again and beat the Yankees for the AL title. And A-Rod will be the MVP. Nothing new under the sun.

    In the meantime, the Yanks still have some holes to fill.

    The Sox brass did the right thing. With Texeria's contract over 20 million going in, I can't believe a couple of million was the decider in choice of where to play. I have to assume he wanted to play in NY. To hell with him. We get to keep Mike Lowell.

    As my old bookie in LA used to say, they still have to play the games.

    P.S. Tampa Bay finishes 4th in the AL East next season.


    Posted by Ferde Rombola December 23, 08 04:42 PM
  1. Well The Redsox couldn't put up scores without Manny and it looks like 2009 is a BUST for hitting for the Redsox. I AM NOT GOING TO WATCH THE YANKEES CRUSH THE REDSOX IN 2009.

    Going to take 2009 off from baseball. The Redsox better land a bat like Holiday or Abreu or they are done. A strong pitching team is BORING to watch.

    Posted by Steven December 23, 08 04:42 PM
  1. Get Derek Lowe back. That will make me happy. Forget the high priced hookers.

    Posted by NorthShoreSoxFan December 23, 08 04:42 PM
  1. yeah, yeah, yeah. and Theo broke tables in a hotel when the Sox lost out on Contreras. and then there was the A-Rod deal, which was the entire key to the 21st century, which the Sox didn't get. Sox have PLENTY of young talent and money to spend. this is not the only good player who will come along. a good move for the Yankees, who have now vastly overspent on three Pretty Good Players, giving them historically large contracts in the midst of a global financial crisis. I believe in Theo and the Gang

    Posted by John B December 23, 08 04:42 PM
  1. The blame goes directly to John Henry and his lack of a poker face. Texeira was a goner once the usually quiet Henry had diarrhea of the keyboard and sent the email stating that the Sox would not go higher than $170 mil. AT THAT POINT, the Yankees gained the upper hand. They knew what they needed to offer and was given the opportunity to "swoop in" and steal Texeira who would have been a Red Sox without a doubt.

    GREAT JOB JOHN HENRY! Let Theo worry about the players!

    Posted by Towser70 December 23, 08 04:42 PM
  1. I wouldn't have minded if the Sox got Tex but I still think we have a great team and will give them hell again next year.

    Posted by Denis December 23, 08 04:42 PM
  1. Relax folks. The Yankees had a ton of holes to fill and have now maybe gotten as good as the Sox. Don't sweat it. Burnett was a huge mistake for them and Rivera's arm is gonna fall off. These moves will not turn out as well as it may appear. Oh yeah, btw, the Sox still have much better pitching, which is what really matters.

    Posted by Rob December 23, 08 04:43 PM
  1. Thank you Tex and Boras. You have succeeded in restoring the Yankees as a lightening rod for hate, and an example for all that is evil. I need that. It makes the Sox much more fun to follow when we are underdogs fighting against the evil empire.

    And I can't put my finger on it, talented or not, but Texeira would have bored the crap out of me.

    Posted by Unexplained Bacon December 23, 08 04:43 PM
  1. He was never coming here!!! Teixeira would have had the pressure of stepping into the Manny cow pie, replacing Ramirez as the big bat, pushing Youkilis off first base, and pushing Lowell out of Boston altogether. John Henry should really be proud that he told this talented 27 year old that he really owed it to himself to come to good old Beantown for '09. Meanwhile the Tampa Rays traded for Matt Joyce a promising young player who plays a position where the Red Sox actually need help, the outfield.

    Posted by Rocket Scientist December 23, 08 04:43 PM
  1. OMG A-Rod 2.0 hardly. Red Sox you just got punked BIG TIME. We thought we had em where we wanted him. If you play with the big boys lesson number one, just SHUT UP and negotiate, Cash(Cashman that is played you). Not a guaranteed championship yet WOW 8 years, this could be the beginning of a new dynasty and what will you Sux fans say, they bought a championship. Well you did the same remember Dice K. Yes Yes Yes what a Christmas

    Posted by yankees4ever December 23, 08 04:43 PM
  1. Two words....
    MIke Lowell......I'll take him anyday on the Sox
    Long live MIke Lowell!!!

    Posted by steven December 23, 08 04:43 PM
  1. Time to move on. Teixeira would have been a good fit I believe. His defense is incredible. Henry could have had him last week if he wanted, my guess he did but not bad enough. So now we get healthy, get our minor leaguers ready for the jump and go out and kick some Yankee butt.

    Posted by RCastillo December 23, 08 04:44 PM
  1. Dave, you're full of crap. The Red Sox are closer in salary to whatever small market team you root for than they are to the Be-Pinstriped Ones. But please, don't let your "I Hate Bah-stahn" idiocy get in the way of logic.

    Didn't we go through this crap when A-Rod was signed? I can't wait to see how the Be-Pinstriped Ones will fail this time.

    Posted by Jonboy December 23, 08 04:44 PM
  1. Forget Tex! He was all about the money!!! Can not stand Boras either. Yankees just spent over $400 million in one week. That's Insane!!!
    I say we focus on Joe Mauer. Now there's a guy! Sign Tek and then bring in Mauer. Now that's a lineup!

    Posted by soxinvt December 23, 08 04:44 PM
  1. Break a leg Texiera, Break a leg. Heck, break both of 'em!

    Let this be a lesson to news junkies for future free agents,.. Keep your mouth shut untli the deal is done.

    Posted by PNWE December 23, 08 04:44 PM
  1. I'm going to hate to root for the Jets this weekend!

    Posted by Denis December 23, 08 04:44 PM
  1. All the Red Sox have to show for the offseason are the "hanging Bs"...lol!!!

    Theo and John Henry have left the fans "hangin" and were outmaneuvered by Cashman and Steinbrenner. Wow! Forget the Rays.....the Yanks are back.

    Go Bombers 2009!!!

    CD

    Posted by Steve December 23, 08 04:44 PM
  1. I truly think that this move will be the final downfall of the Yankee empire. New York City's disposable income will be drying up faster than anywhere else in the country and the new stadium debt and the contract debt will prove to be too much. Then the Yes Network will become devalued as more and more people are forced to cancel cable subscriptions. It's over and the contracts from this month are part of the straw that broke the camel's back. Bring in hard salary caps and basements. Let's level the playing field a little bit.

    Posted by Johnny Coolguy December 23, 08 04:44 PM
  1. Not sure how we let this happen to us AGAIN. No one to blame but ourselves...and now we have no plan B. We have pinstriped egg all all over our faces. Great feeling.

    Posted by Dr. Orgard December 23, 08 04:45 PM
  1. Question? Would the Yankees have gone after Teixera if the Red Sox were not going to get him? I don't think so. The Red sox need a catcher. Will they trade for one of the available young catchers now and give up pitching? They probably are on the phone to Texas right now.

    Posted by Tom December 23, 08 04:45 PM
  1. This is why I hate the Yankees! Greedy fools!!!

    First they nab CC now Teixeira!!!!

    They are just trying to stock their roster with great players and use up all their money to get back into their "world series" years. All of this to compete with the Red Sox!!!!!!!

    Posted by redsoxgal08 December 23, 08 04:45 PM
  1. THE YANKEES OVERPAID.
    The Sox are better positioned for sustained success. At his weight, Sabathia is an accident waiting to happen. Burnett is Carl Pavano part 2. Tex has the skills to succeed but can he do it in NYC?
    I'm excited to watch the Sox chop these guys off at their knees.

    Posted by LJ in CT December 23, 08 04:45 PM
  1. SPEECHLESS...
    ANGRY...
    DISAPPOINTED...

    Posted by Joel December 23, 08 04:45 PM
  1. Well OK, maybe he'll help the Yankees as much as he did the Angels in the post season...hopefully just another A-Rod, expensive and no help in the post season.

    Thanks Yankees for singlehandedly driving baseball economics into the toilet. Bet all of us struggling to feed our families love the fact that money comes so easily...why not pass a few million to a food bank.

    Posted by Don December 23, 08 04:45 PM
  1. Let the Yankees continue to be a group of individual superstars... that hasn't brought them a championship recently, and it won't next year either. Don't worry Sox fans, it's not the end of the world... spending the most money doesn't always buy postseason success. Playing as a team usually wins it in the end.

    I couldn't care less about Teixeira. We already have a gold glove first baseman (who holds the record for most consecutive errorless games by a first baseman) who can hit lights out, and a third baseman who any team would want. Would everyone please stop whining?

    Posted by FutureTimes December 23, 08 04:45 PM
  1. JOHN, LARRY, and THEO please don't try to make up for this disaster by signing Dunn or Burrell. They strikeout way, way too much. There's not a single remaining free agent worth signing now other than Baldelli as a fourth outfielder. Losing out on Teixeira was an enormous blow for this team, but let's not compound it by throwing money at second-tier players with low OBPs.

    Posted by brian December 23, 08 04:45 PM
  1. I love the Red Sox and they came so close to the World Series this season so why mix things up? They don't need to. The third place Yankees do!

    Posted by Jamal Gonzalez December 23, 08 04:45 PM
  1. Great...now I can feed my family, with the very little that I make working 60 hours a week and being a single parent, knowing that there's mulit-millionaires roaming around in NY with their pinstripes flashing Bengys like there is no tomorrow. What a country we live in, huh? America the beautiful, America the great, America the RIDICULOUS..........YANKEES SUCK!

    Posted by CT December 23, 08 04:46 PM
  1. Maybe John Henry meant to say the Red Sox will not be a "factor" in the American League East...

    So here we are at Christmas without having done much of anything so far... Hope these re-tread pitchers that Theo has signed can hit the ball...

    Posted by Cliff D December 23, 08 04:46 PM
  1. WE SHOULD ALL STOP GOING TO ALL SOX GAMES !!!! THE MANAGEMENT HAS DONE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO IMPROVE THE CURRENT TEAM WITH AGING LINEUP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Posted by Jay December 23, 08 04:47 PM
  1. The yankees have been going out and signing big names to long contracts for years now and it hasn't worked. They won all the WS in the late 90's with a home grow nucleus of players. Thats what we have now (pedoria,youk,lester,pap,ellsbury) and its been more successful then just going out and signing big names. You cant buy victory, Tampa bay has proved that to us. If everyone on our team can play to there potential, peak at the right time and we stay injury free, we can be the best team in baseball. No need to panic yet.

    Posted by SoxFan18 December 23, 08 04:47 PM
  1. I love Mike Lowell. Such a great ballplayer and person and I'm so glad he's going to stay instead of some overpaid stiff.

    Posted by juan December 23, 08 04:48 PM
  1. All of these salaries are outrageous and all so that rich people can watch insanely rich people throw and take a whack at a miserable ball. I have already toned sports down to where I only watch it and for free but now I won't watch it at all. Farewell sports, you are too wealthy for my blood. I hope you all come crashing down in the recession...

    Posted by Brad Potter December 23, 08 04:48 PM
  1. I wanted him to come to Boston but i don't think he's worth 180 mil

    Posted by phil December 23, 08 04:48 PM
  1. The Sox spend $50 million just to negotiate for the rights for Dice-K and then lose out on a future cornerstone for what amounts to $1.25 million per year, it really makes you wonder if there was more to it. Otherwise, the Sox slipped.

    Posted by Lloyd Jones December 23, 08 04:48 PM
  1. The Yankees do not have a baseball team. They have a collection of overpaid, individuals with talent that do not work together. These contracts do not mean anything. You need more than individual talent to win a Series.

    Posted by Joe December 23, 08 04:49 PM
  1. As a Sox fan, all I can say is that you can't buy chemistry—and we got it with this roster. And look on the bright side, it should be an interesting season in the AL East. Now if Tampa beats both the Sox and Yankees, it will show that you can't buy a title either!

    Posted by Chokdee December 23, 08 04:49 PM
  1. Everybody, just chill. The Sox have a pretty good team without him and, when CC and AJ breakdown in mid-April, the Skanks will be looking foolish. Remember, the Angels had a pretty potent lineup with Teixeira and they couldn't beat the Sox. No worries. Enjoy Christmas!

    Posted by Swingandapopup December 23, 08 04:49 PM
  1. Forget it and just don't do business with Boras again...end it now along with the Angels and leave Boras with little or nothing from here on in. Seems to me like Boras offered the Yankees the last chance before the Sox got him even though they did not participate in the bidding process. Very bad for the teams. Very bad for baseball again.

    Posted by Wheel December 23, 08 04:49 PM
  1. The sox never intended on getting teixeira, they were in it to drive up the price. And there could still be an opt out/no trade clause in there that we haven't heard about yet, that the sox are 100% against in giving to any player. Teixeira, 29, at the start of next season will not be worth 22.5 million in years 5-8 of his deal. Everyone boo-hooing because the sox didn't get teixeira need to get over it. They yanks have 2 starters poised for big time injury next year, look at burnett's numbers, how does he respond after throwing 200+ innings?? CC has thrown more innings than any pitcher in baseball the last 2 seasons, especially with the brewers throwing him on 3 days rest down the stretch and allowing him to throw CGs to boot!

    How many game-winning RBI did Teixeira have in the poastseason last year?? How many extra base hits? And that was in a lineup more potent than the yankees current one. Melky Cabrera and Cano are the only everyday starters under 30 next season, they needed to add Teixeira, who'll be under 30 for one season. Plenty of baseball people were crowning the Tigers before the season started last year after the additional of Miguel Cabrera, where did they end up??

    The sox now have a chance to get themselves an everyday catcher and keep their eyes open for a middle of the order power-hitting outfielder to sign to a multi-year deal whether that's Bay or someone else, I don't know, but count on them already having something else they're putting together.

    Posted by John December 23, 08 04:49 PM
  1. All this whining about "oh if only the Sox had bid a few million more" is nonsense.

    The Yankees' revenue increase due to their new ballpark has written a new rule in MLB free agency: If the Yankees want a player, they will ALWAYS have the highest bid in the end. Because they have an almost limitless budget, they can never be outbid. The best you can do is try and pump up the price they will eventually pay. Period.

    Posted by hibricc December 23, 08 04:49 PM
  1. Now they need to sign a starting pitcher, and not Derek Lowe. How about Peavey?

    Posted by Gil December 23, 08 04:49 PM
  1. OK, so Lowell does not fully recover and Big Papi shows that last years numbers are what we have to expect in the future. Veritek continues his downward spiral and Ellsbury continues to falter - ahhh - who hits? DP and Youk can only carry the team for so long - and, yes, I know the pitching is decent - not great, just decent. They finish 2nd or 3rd in '09.

    Posted by David Farnum December 23, 08 04:49 PM
  1. Yankees are the GRINCH that stole Christmas!

    WAH WAH WAHHHH!!!!

    Posted by fanoffenway December 23, 08 04:49 PM
  1. I was never really into signing tex anyway. Go compare Youk with him and you'll see we already have a gold glove first baseman with good offensive numbers for way less $$. I would prefer to have youk (gold glove) at first and mikey lowell (gold glove) at third. The only thing that can go wrong with that is health...and that can go wrong with any team. I still really like the '09 sox!

    Posted by Rice4Hallin09 December 23, 08 04:49 PM
  1. Probably too much to pay for one guy (didn't we learn anything from the Manny mess). Look at Pedroia and Yuke......farm guys. I'll take Red Sox farm guys over some bum who just wants to collect the most money.

    Posted by Sam December 23, 08 04:50 PM
  1. Big Loser is Manny!

    Posted by Catbert December 23, 08 04:50 PM
  1. Tiexeira would have been a nice fit but thats water over the dam. The Sox should start right now planning on how to sign Joe Mauer next year when he becomes a free agent. Mauer would be a long term investment as good if not better than Tiexeira.

    Posted by Dave B December 23, 08 04:50 PM
  1. Can't wait to hear Theo's canned BS response to this. Maybe the Yanks will sign Varitek too for good measure as another FU to the Sox. Way to go Theo!!

    Posted by JK December 23, 08 04:50 PM
  1. Ho Hum. I say bravo to the Sox for sticking to thier guns on player value. The Yanks are saddled with over-priced players who will not be worth thier value in 2-3 years.

    I say stick to the farm system and bring up more Pedroias, Pappelbons, and Lesters

    Posted by Joncoco December 23, 08 04:50 PM
  1. Uhh...ya' think Manny will go there now? Of course he will. I will spend my rent money if I have to to be at Fenway on Friday 4/24/09 to boo Taxeira, Manny and the rest of Vader's stormtroopers. It looks like this put the "bitter" back in bitter rivalry.

    Posted by Why December 23, 08 04:51 PM
  1. hey yankees4ever...."punked"??? When was the last time the Suckees won anything? Exactly. STFU and crawl back into that hole that is called NY.

    These big name Yankees free agents ring a bell? How many championships do they own? Giambi, Randy Johnson, Bobby Abreu, A-Rod....lots of championships there. Loser.

    Posted by Whofan70 December 23, 08 04:51 PM
  1. WTF!!!! Redsucks blow it AGAIN! Theo is a genius? I don't think so. This whole management is f'n gutless. no-trade clause? really? THAT'S the reason? come on. 3rd place here we come. Yet another sad day for Red SUCKS fans.

    Posted by ashamed to be a redsox fan December 23, 08 04:51 PM
  1. Ok so the Sox sell out there tickets before the season starts. Even before Christmas. They couldn't up the ante a few million or do a Curt and offer 1 million for MVP, 1 million for Batting Title, 1 million if we make and win World Series, 1 million if the Yankees Choke. Incentive based contract maybe would have pushed him our way because then he knows we mean business. You play hard you get paid. You do a Manny you leave. I am placing my Season Tickets on Ebay tonight after work so if anyone wants them look for them. The Red Sox need to grow a pair and ante up considering your season ticket holder money is in, and you sold out all your 4 pax crap and single games. Stop making improvements to the park and get Ortiz protection.

    Posted by chris98 December 23, 08 04:51 PM
  1. If anyone says they don't care they're retarded. I hope to god Lowell's hip will be back to normal this spring. The Sox just let the yanks pick up every top free agent on the market besides k rod. Who have we gotten some clown from KC and some dude from Japan...........great. Tex would have been hugh for the sox but who knows maybe we can resign Tek so he a bat 220 for the year and all call an ALCS where the Rays bash homer after homer after homer. The lack of effort in free agency will hurt the Sox. Not getting Tex and letting him go to the Yanks is horrible.

    Posted by travis bickle December 23, 08 04:51 PM
  1. Joh Henry is almost bankrupt. 90% of the money in his Investment firm has disappeared in 3 years.

    Henry is essentially a leveraged day trader.

    he's finished

    Posted by Bernie Madoff December 23, 08 04:51 PM
  1. I love it -- I love it -- I love it!!!!!!! sucks to be a bostard!

    Posted by Dan December 23, 08 04:52 PM
  1. yankeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeessssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss hey if i were john henery id be worried about becket cus he looked hurt the sox really missed out on the free agency

    Posted by john deleno December 23, 08 04:52 PM
  1. There's something about Tex. The sox will blow money when they think it's necessary (What was the Dice-K posting fee again?) The long rumored a-rod/tex rift might surface again. How will Jeter feel if the stories are true Boras had Tex making more than Derek his goal? Jeter is now the most productive yankee on that team and the 4th highest paid. Makes sense to me...
    The fact of the matter is, what happens if the yanks dont win the world series? They won't by the way, remember CC is Wang like in postseason.

    Posted by JP December 23, 08 04:52 PM
  1. Theo and the front office blew it! They dropped the ball. Sorry guys as much as i understand your love for the Sox, we are not going beat the Yankees this year. Its not going to happen. Complain all we want about the Yankees getting all the players but its Boston fault for letting them do it.

    Posted by kdog mchog December 23, 08 04:52 PM
  1. I am a life long die hard sox fan, having said that I truly believe the following: 1.)Jonh Henry has no balls is a paper owner and wishes he was Steinbrenner 2.) Theo totally overrated cocky little bastard who clings too hard to his precious prospects. He thinks we're in a footrace while the yankees are driving NASCAR. Now I will say we didn't really need Texeira but what pisses me off is that we could have been focusing on more pressing needs this whole time while we were having a p@#!ing contest with Scott Boras on a client who was just waiting to sign with the Yankees. What else were they waiting for? Trade for a bat that we need like Catcher or maybe?

    Posted by fireepstein December 23, 08 04:52 PM
  1. i before e except after T; i before e except after x!! Anyone who can't spell doesn't deserve to wear a Sox uniform.

    And now the Sox have the Yanks right where they want them - look for the Sox to sign Ramierez!!!

    Posted by Tim from CT December 23, 08 04:52 PM
  1. On the bright side they've got a whole bunch of dough to throw around and continue to strengthen the rotation & bull pen, get a catcher and a 4th outfielder. Hopefully, they already have Plan B in place just in case of a scenario just like this.

    As to Manny his leverage is going down, down down. No Red Sox, no Yankees, no Angels... hee hee

    Posted by Imscott December 23, 08 04:52 PM
  1. I'm sure they sox fans will stop paying $50 for a blecher seat and $20 for a beer and hotdog for this one. Maybe bellhorn is available.

    Posted by P-lo December 23, 08 04:52 PM
  1. This is absolutely ridiculous. The Yankees are truly the Evil Empire, how can they continue to amaze me year after year with countless insane purchases. It just keeps happening.
    On the other side of the equation, this is one of the dumbest moves John Henry has made thus far as Owner. Teixeira is going to be fantastic for years, and 180 million is not all that much more than the close to 170 million they offered him. How can you pass up such an amazing hitter and fielder to save $10 million? It is absolutely a retarted move to let him go, no matter how promising Lars Anderson is. This is a travesty, and Anderson better prove us wrong.

    Posted by Ethan December 23, 08 04:53 PM
  1. The Red Sox already have Mark Texeiera. His name is Kevin Youklis. And he his 3 fewer Home Runs and 5 fewer RBI than Texeiera in 2008.

    I'm glad the Yanks got Texeiera. Now when the Yankmees fail in October (or before that) it will be an even better fall.

    Hey Bud!!!!!! It's called a salary cap!!!!!! Look into it!!!!!!!!!!

    Posted by Chris December 23, 08 04:53 PM
  1. It would have been fun to see him play for the Sox, but the reality is that we have a really, really good team without him. Would we have been better? Maybe, but I'm pretty happy with what we have. It would have been hard to say goodbye to Lowell - yeah, I know it's short-sighted, but I really like the way he plays the game. Remember, we came damn close to the WS this year with Ortiz and Lowell not nearly at 100%

    I'm really repulsed by the amount of $$ being thrown around.

    Posted by Plymouthgirl December 23, 08 04:53 PM
  1. Good to Tex! Boras is a fool and stings these foolish GM's like a harp. He played it right all the way for this client. But, overall, Boras has gotten A-Rod and Manny nothing new...and it looks like Manny still needs a home. Can you say small money and small market. How will Manny feel when he is not on ESPN every night - as was the case in Boston? Shame on you over-priced morons for listening to a bigger moron.

    In terms of the Yanks buying Tex....please Yankee fans,....please remember that we still have to play the games. This centery - which is all my son cares about (he is 7 and has seen 6 championship parades in Boston) - how many championchips have the Yanks won? For those in New York that cannot count...it is ZERO! To remind you Yanks fans - that is 2 Sox Champs, 3 - Pats Champs and 1 - Celtics Champ (and counting for all them!).

    How is that A-Rod contract working out for you - besides his own awards, what has he brought you guys? NOTHING! I recall all the Yank fans booing him at every at-bat last year. That was cool to hear!

    Signing Tex does certainly improve the Yanks, but it does not mean a thing at this point in the season. The Yanks are almost starting to look like the METS...lots of money spent and nothing to show for it!

    Posted by SOX09 December 23, 08 04:53 PM
  1. "Way to overreact everyone!"

    Re comment 225 (and a few others), "everyone" is NOT overreacting - YOU are. The more knowledgeable fans realize that the Steinbrenners just want to make a splash, and Pepto-Bismol-packin' Brian Cashman knows HE will wind up taking the blame if his clownboy boss' moves tank.

    The Yankees will have a more competitive team next year. Good for them. But the Sox have a vastly more savvy organization - and an overall better chance to succeed.

    Want a thumbnail view of the Yankees' real chances? Baseball strength is up the middle. Look up the middle of the Yankees: An aging catcher returning (maybe) from injury, an ace pitcher (Wang) also coming back (maybe) from injury, a 20-game winner retiring, a declining Pettite, two new star pitchers coming in (maybe a modest plus, maybe a wash overall compared with last year), a washout center fielder (Melky) replaced by a declining Damon, a past-his-prime once-great shortstop, and a peripatetic second baseman.

    Up-the-middle, the Sox currently have their own unresolved questions behind the plate (this will change), but they also have a possible rising star in CF (Ellsbury, if he does nothing else, will cover more ground than Damon AND Cabrera in CF at the same time), some of the best starting pitchers in the game (and more waiting in the minors), an MVP second baseman (BTW - the number of Derek Jeter regular season MVP's = zero), and a solid shortstop now in his second year.

    Them's the facts. Would have liked to see Tex on board, but I have no problem with the Sox next year, and I very much look forward to seeing who makes the big club next.

    Posted by Mister Snitch December 23, 08 04:53 PM
  1. Just like 2004 when the Red Sox couldn\\\\\\\'t get the deal for A-Rod done, and we know how that has worked out, this too will have a silver lining.
    With the money the Sox saved they can sign Bobby Abreu and Rocco Baldelli as well as Derek Lowe.
    The most important thing is that we cherish our family and friends and care for each other. They matter much more than the Sox, Pats, Bruins or Celts!

    Posted by Rob777 December 23, 08 04:54 PM
  1. Let's see if Jim Rice and Fred Lynn will dust off their uniforms!

    HELP THEO, HELP!!

    Posted by fenwayfrankdog December 23, 08 04:54 PM
  1. I don't know, maybe I'm not a baseball-savvy guy, but I'd rather have Lowell than Texeira. He's a great clubhouse guy. Also, now the Red Sox can go back to being an underdog. They are much better suited in that role and will have much less than TONS and TONS of pressure the Yankees have just placed upon themselves.

    GO SOX!!!!!

    Posted by Jerry December 23, 08 04:54 PM
  1. Too much money for TOO long! Glad they are stuck with him. Just wait until his first bad stretch...they will be booing him loudly in the Bronx!

    Posted by bv December 23, 08 04:55 PM
  1. What a joke. 2009 will be another season of the Red Sox ripping off their fans with the HIGHEST ticket prices around Fans pay $6.50 for a 12oz beer $5 for a crappy hot dog and $4.50 for a goddamn water and after making milions upon millions from the fans and they have nothing to show for it except another lousy offseason. Where are the free agent signings John, Larry, and Theo? you guys rip Boston fans off more than anyone in sports and have created this phenomenon known as the "pink hats" who make me want to puke. Blow up that dump known as Fenway Park and get a godamn real stadium. Then maybe the Red Sox can actually do something in the offseason besides make excuses that they cant spend money. FUFItaaacertain ththatSox are sr

    Posted by Jeb37 December 23, 08 04:55 PM
  1. This is absolutely ridiculous. The Yankees are truly the Evil Empire, how can they continue to amaze me year after year with countless insane purchases. It just keeps happening.
    On the other side of the equation, this is one of the dumbest moves John Henry has made thus far as Owner. Teixeira is going to be fantastic for years, and 180 million is not all that much more than the close to 170 million they offered him. How can you pass up such an amazing hitter and fielder to save $10 million? It is absolutely a retarted move to let him go, no matter how promising Lars Anderson is. This is a travesty, and Anderson better prove us wrong.

    Posted by Ethan December 23, 08 04:55 PM
  1. Thank God the Yankees signed Tex. I was beginning to think that the Yankees were going to fade away into oblivion. They'd be left with fighting it out with Toronto for 3rd place in the division. Now, they're a factor once again. At least until one or more of their high priced signings proves to be a bust on the mound or goes into hiding during the post season.

    Posted by Jeff S December 23, 08 04:55 PM
  1. Well, as it seems to happen to us sox fans time and time again, we are outbid by a heartless, irresponsible yankees front office who, apprently, cares less about their negative impact on the current economic climate than they do about landing the next overpriced, self-absorbed, meatheaded free agent.

    It really makes me wonder how they can explain this spending spree, especially given the situation we are all in right now. Perhaps instead of cutting down on all the pork barrelling occurring in washington, good ole' Barry Obama should look no further than the Wine'n'dinebrenners(speaking of pork) leering atop their luxury box in the newly-erected chateau du bronx.

    What are teams like washington and baltimore supposed to do with themselves? They go out and make a huge push to land a highly coveted free agent who happens to be FROM THERE and yet have no chance because of their inablility to compete with the yankmees.

    Oh, and buster olney- i often do appreciate your sox-based bias during the season but howabout you and pete gammons stop leading us down this well-travelled road where you take your own formulated pipe-dream opinion on where these guys are going to land and stick to the facts. I'm sick of getting up in the morning and hearing about your fantasy lineup where tex would be sandwiched between papi and youk.

    Posted by T-O-Double D December 23, 08 04:56 PM
  1. A message to all Red Sox players:

    It's never too early to get your 2009 October tee times in!

    GO YANKEES!

    Posted by Keith December 23, 08 04:56 PM
  1. Well, as it seems to happen to us sox fans time and time again, we are outbid by a heartless, irresponsible yankees front office who, apprently, cares less about their negative impact on the current economic climate than they do about landing the next overpriced, self-absorbed, meatheaded free agent.

    It really makes me wonder how they can explain this spending spree, especially given the situation we are all in right now. Perhaps instead of cutting down on all the pork barrelling occurring in washington, good ole' Barry Obama should look no further than the Wine'n'dinebrenners(speaking of pork) leering atop their luxury box in the newly-erected chateau du bronx.

    What are teams like washington and baltimore supposed to do with themselves? They go out and make a huge push to land a highly coveted free agent who happens to be FROM THERE and yet have no chance because of their inablility to compete with the yankmees.

    Oh, and buster olney- i often do appreciate your sox-based bias during the season but howabout you and pete gammons stop leading us down this well-travelled road where you take your own formulated pipe-dream opinion on where these guys are going to land and stick to the facts. I'm sick of getting up in the morning and hearing about your fantasy lineup where tex would be sandwiched between papi and youk.

    Posted by T-O-Double D December 23, 08 04:56 PM
  1. There is a reason why this guy has gone through so many teams in recent years. How many .300+ 30HR 120 RBI guys you know are on there 4th team in 3 years. The only ones that go through teams like this are the problem children in the clubhouse. He has never been a clubhouse leader, he is a distraction in the clubhouse, he puts up great numbers but will never be a team leader. Yes the yankees got him, but look at there production at 1B last year. Giambi hit .243 with 32HR 96 RBI. Tex hit .303-33-121. Big difference in AVG, not much difference elsewhere. I do not think any player right now in this economy is worth 22 million. Therefore I applaud the sox to not committing 8 years and $180million. I would rather wait a few years and use that money on getting a grady sizemore or Carl Crawford.

    Posted by Chris December 23, 08 04:56 PM
  1. Relax already!! The Yanks just spent ridiculous money on an overrated BUM. The guy is not a winner and we're far better off with the money in our pocket. Let the yanks spend their way to another 86 wins.

    Posted by Ze December 23, 08 04:56 PM
  1. Things will be fine...The yanks will be stuck with 4 aging vets making 20 plus per year without any other teams in the market to unload the contracts on. It hurts this year but in the end this is going to hurt them more than help. Talent needs to be brought up in the farm system. Hence the Devil Rays as well as the Sox to some extent.

    Posted by Jerry Bridgham December 23, 08 04:57 PM
  1. On paper the Yanks look like they could be the team to beat.. Howevr, that's why we play 162 games and the playoffs. The 2 unknowns for the Yanks are :

    1. Can their pitchers holdup physcially. Burnett has a history of injuries as well as pitching consistently throughout a season. With Sabathia is tipping the scales at 280 pounds, this will eventually take a toll on his health. ( see Bartolo Colon)

    2. Can Texiera and the bunch play well in the clutch or will they resemble Mr. May himself, AROD

    Posted by Jeff S December 23, 08 04:57 PM
  1. We have Youk ,Ortiz & Lowell!! Why do we spend 22 mil a year on Tex. C'mon nation it's goin' to work out !! Trust Theo & Henry to land a bigger fish in the next few years!!

    Posted by Will Thomas December 23, 08 04:57 PM
  1. I agree with the Red Sox brass. They knew Scott Boras' tactics from A-Rod, Johnny Damon (I would never play for the Yankees), to Manny Ramirez (don't perform even with your $20 mil salary and the Sox will trade you). I hope the Yankees go for him as someone will have to be crowded out. I like Tex but not for the amount he wanted. Let's make an effort to bring in a catcher and a hitter...even Adam Dunn may produce for a year or two until Anderson is ready. Bring back Varitek for 2 or 3 years but get a catcher and use Tex's knowledge for handling pitchers and save a spot for him on the coaching staff. Yankees need to pay $26.9 mil for the luxury tax almost as much as Rays total payroll.

    The

    Posted by The Jolter December 23, 08 04:57 PM
  1. If Bud Selig wasn't so spineless he would be stop this in the "best interests of Baseball" ....Come on Bud...get some grapes!

    Posted by fenwayfrank December 23, 08 04:58 PM
  1. Not signing Teixeira is the best thing that could have happened.

    Look at how much he helped the last two teams that shelled out money and prospects for the "hired gun" - the Angels and Braves. One missed the post season entirely (the Braves were closer to the division lead BEFORE they traded for him) and the Angels did the exact same thing they'd done in 2007 (lost to the Red Sox).

    I'm not saying the Yankees won't field a good team this year, or will miss the playoffs. But there's two things we can be certain of: if they do end up playing well, you won't be able to point to Teixeira as the singular factor (there's all their pitching signings and who knows what else to come) and we need only look at recent Yankees teams to know that you can't buy yourself the World Series Championship (or even a playoff spot, for that matter).

    I'd rather the Sox save the $170 and use it on someone who's not so overhyped and overpriced...

    Posted by Horrifying December 23, 08 04:58 PM
  1. I think it's interesting how so many of my fellow Sox fans never mention the phrase "salary cap" when the Sox win, either on or off the field. Yet, when the Sox get beat out by the Yankees on something for the first time in years, all those fans start bleating on about how baseball needs a salary cap and how the game has been ruined. Please.

    Posted by bizona December 23, 08 04:58 PM
  1. Just cancelled my MLB.com subscription. Seriously, nothing will change if the current rules are allowed to continue. The only way to make a difference is to take away the very motivation that baseball has to allow things to continue - money. I realize the Sox also spend a huge amount of money but you can bet small market teams are once again shrugging their shoulders in resignation over their upcoming losing seasons. Can't blame them for not spending money they could not recover due to lack of tremendous TV deals or new luxury-box-laden stadiums.

    Posted by carl December 23, 08 04:58 PM
  1. Sox 2009 Champs ....very WELL SAID...Sox fans like saying things like Henry or Theo should be ashamed, when there was NOTHING they could do about it are the lowest common denominator of sports fan.

    Posted by Tim December 23, 08 04:58 PM
  1. The Stanks have added $423M in 3 contracts. This is reminescent of the Tigers splurge and purge of last year. The only thing about all this is the timing of this announcement so close to Christmas. Dust yourself off RSN, now we go get Peavy, Lowe, Teagarden, Baldelli and a utility IF. So typical of the sleazy Stanks and Boras. Remeber RSN, they're still battling the Curse of A-Fraud now this will just double their curse. We'll be settling this on the field...

    Posted by Mark from Colorado December 23, 08 04:58 PM
  1. stop going to games? stop complaining? are you people sports fans? what is sports without the games and complaining? the yankees signed the guy we wanted, and that stinks! but it does seems a-bit a-rod-like to me, lets hope

    Posted by jeff from Brooklyn December 23, 08 04:59 PM
  1. Mark T. was not worth that much more cash than Mike L. Sox management can in the longterm make much better use of the money they saved. Lets quit whining and move on.

    Posted by KJ December 23, 08 04:59 PM
  1. I think Theo realized that this money can be spend in other ways more wisely...IE getting more pitching, a big bat, resigning lester and youkilis to long term deals.

    Good for him. i have to agree...this guy is not that good, like a pujols.

    Posted by Omar December 23, 08 04:59 PM
  1. The only descriptive way to put it : Red Sox management has let the fan base of The Red Sox Nation down, How much $$ did John Henry lose to Madoff ? That had to absolutely play a part in his total spineless non move knowing that Steinbrenner was going to spit at his feet at the last minute... this is an utter disgrace. For the amount of $4 people pay to watch major league baseball in Boston a stronger stomach needs to be leading the brass here. Thank You Mr.Henry..Mr.Lucchino & the boy wonder Theo for absolutely ruining what could have been a very happy sports Christmas gift

    Posted by Matt December 23, 08 04:59 PM
  1. Cheer up, BoSox nation: ex-Dodgers like Manny, Nomar and Derek Lowe remain out there. You could sign one of them to a great deal (or cheap out again hehe) !! See you in October !! Oh, that's right: NO. WE. WON'T.

    Love,

    George, Hal and Hank S.

    Posted by Big T December 23, 08 04:59 PM
  1. I have to say, all these whines from the pink hats really do crack me up.

    FIRST - Teixeira doesn't make the Sox THAT much better than they are with Lowell for the immediate future. He would have been nice, but unnecessary.

    SECOND - The Yankees NEEDED Teixeira much more than the Sox did. They got him. Anyone who has followed baseball for more than a couple of years knew that this was bound to happen. Not the end of the world - and now it's easier to hate the Yankees again.

    THIRD - the Yankees still are NOT that good!! I mean, the middle of their order is great, but their outfield stinks and the Red Sox STILL have better pitching.

    FOURTH - I would rather the Sox add a top of the line starter anyway. We have plenty of hitting. We need a Sheets or a Peavy - maybe a Lowe. Add that to our rotation and I STILL like our chances against anyone.

    QUIT THE WHINING ALREADY. It's not the end of the world. Jeez.

    Posted by J.P. December 23, 08 04:59 PM
  1. Merry Christmas everyone!

    Posted by fillylabinga December 23, 08 04:59 PM
  1. Good for Sox Brass stickin to their guns... 400 million in less than a month on 3 players??? During a recession?? What a slap in the face! The Sox should tell Bor-ASS not to ever bring another player their way again. Including V-Tek...Greedy primadonas. Stankees still have A-Rod which means one thing...LOSERS! So here's to Mark-FKN-Teixera hitting .000, 0 HR, 0RBI

    Posted by Dlev December 23, 08 04:59 PM
  1. ok lets compare their lineup to ours
    yankees '09
    damon DH decent
    Jeter SS above average
    ARod 3B decent
    Tex 1b above average
    Matsui LF decent
    Nady RF sucks
    Melky CF sucks
    Posada C sucks
    Cano 2B sucks
    red sox '09
    jacoby ellsbury decent
    dustin pedrioa AWESOME!
    david ortiz decent/above average
    youkilis AWESOME!
    lowell above average
    bay decent
    drew above average
    lowrie sucks/decent
    jason v. suck
    they sucks!

    Posted by yankeessuckkkkkk December 23, 08 04:59 PM
  1. what a day to be a yankee

    Posted by yankee 101 December 23, 08 05:00 PM
  1. I guess Henry was right. Teixeira was using everybody to bid up the Yankees. All the more reasons to hate the Yankees. They still don't have enough pitching depth though and they have too many holes (even more when their aging stars catch up with them) so we will be watching them fail in the next ten years. These high price acquisitions don't pan out very often. They might be burried for a long time if their gambles don't pay off.

    Posted by Jay Na December 23, 08 05:00 PM
  1. This is just bad for baseball. Huge disparity between the "haves" and "have nots". Even as a die hard Red Sox fan, this is just one more reason for a salary cap. Does anyone wonder why we have to pay $5 for a bottle of water or $4 for a hot dog? Teixeira's not even a franchise player. He's good, very good even, but not great. I'm glad the Sox didn't spend that kind of money on a player of that caliber. Now if someone could have just outbid them on JD Drew too!

    Go Sox!

    Posted by MikeInME December 23, 08 05:00 PM
  1. Highest tickets in baseball and J.D DREW is the most expensive product we have? I won't be the sucker who goes to Fenway.

    Posted by sb36pats December 23, 08 05:00 PM
  1. Good for Sox Brass stickin to their guns... 400 million in less than a month on 3 players??? During a recession?? What a slap in the face! The Sox should tell Bor-ASS not to ever bring another player their way again. Including V-Tek...Greedy primadonas. Stankees still have A-Rod which means one thing...LOSERS! So here's to Mark-FKN-Teixera hitting .000, 0 HR, 0RBI

    Posted by Dlev December 23, 08 05:00 PM
  1. Two teams have traded him (Texas and Atlanta) and Anaheim didn't think he was worth the money. (the last team he was on) He's clearly not a team guy if he shunned his hometown for more $$. Good luck to the Yankees over the next eight years. Something tells me Sox fans will look back on this day, and be glad things went down the way they did.

    Posted by steve December 23, 08 05:00 PM
  1. The Yankees SUCK !! Good luck Mark your going to need it,playing in the Zoo !!

    Posted by Robert MacPherson December 23, 08 05:00 PM
  1. As a Sox fan living in NYC my life just got alot more miserable. This is bad.

    Posted by James December 23, 08 05:00 PM
  1. Hey, get over it, Sox fans. Would you like to be Joe Girardi this afternoon, knowing that anything less than the 2009 World Series trophy will mean a pink slip next October? The Sox will be fine. Markie will learn soon enough, and regret his signing, that his best isn't going to be good enough if the Yanks fail. Plenty of baseball people will be watching the 2009 campaign unfold with smirks. Look for C.C.Sabathia and A.J. Burnett to break down--remember, the Yanks' pitching is really mediocre after their free agent signings. Who's to say that Chien Ming Wang will ever again be a quality starter? Money can't buy everything, and with millions of U.S. citizens out of work or worrying about losing their jobs, this is a really bad P.R. move by The Boss. Oh, yes...Hank and Hal don't do this deal without Daddy's say-so. Guess he knows the end is near. Cheers, Sox, N.Y. has all the pressure now.

    Posted by Allen December 23, 08 05:00 PM
  1. Get Peavy here and it wont matter. Beckett, Lester, Dice-K, Peavey, Masterson/Buckholz. LIGHTS OUT

    Posted by Bill December 23, 08 05:01 PM
  1. WAY TO F$*& UP John Henry!!! Thank you very much you just gave away our NUMBER 1 Off-season target!! Now what the SHOULD DO is take that money that WE DIDN'T give to Teixeira and get Matt Holliday and also keep Jason Bay!!! But will they do it?? Who the hell knows

    Posted by Adam December 23, 08 05:01 PM
  1. Who cares?
    Baseball sucks.

    Posted by Hawkeye December 23, 08 05:01 PM
  1. To everyone complaining out there. The answer is simple. Stop going to the games. Stop watching the games on TV. Until that happens MLB will conduct business as usual. The Yankees are playing by the rules that MLB has set up. If they want to spend even more money and pay a larger luxury tax, then they are free to do so.

    If you want it to stop then simply stop putting your hard earned money in their pockets.

    Posted by Gary December 23, 08 05:01 PM
  1. OMG...I'm not just saying this because I'm a Sox fan but this is ruining baseball. The Yankees have more $$$ than anyone so what's stopping them for cornering the market on free agent talent. Which is what they are doing. What ever happened to competition. Baseball needs some sort of salary cap. So much for the luxury tax. I'm done with baseball.

    Posted by PAST December 23, 08 05:01 PM
  1. Bring back Manny!!!

    What the hell, why not??

    Posted by jumbo21 December 23, 08 05:01 PM
  1. LARS ANDERSON IS THE ANSWER ANYWAY!!!

    I grew up with him and he is amazing. He's going to be a future All Star, i guarantee it. his work ethic is unreal and i love the red sox!

    Posted by christina from cali December 23, 08 05:01 PM
  1. honestly i am a little glad the yanks got tex because it will be hilarious when they lose in the playoffs

    Posted by Andrew December 23, 08 05:01 PM
  1. Let's all calm down a little. I hear lines like "aging lineup", "they did nothing" and so on. Let's really look at what has happened this offseason, so far.

    Yankees overspent for a 325lb pitcher, a pitcher who only had good years or even starts 30 games on contract years and added a 30/100 hitter. They lost a 20 game winner from last year, 2 other starters coming off of injuries. They have only gotten older in their other positions and have no one to replace them. They lost money last year and will lose money this year when they are told to fund the rest of the stadium this year.

    The Sox haven't made any major moves, but in reality, what major moves do they need to make? They have a very high prospect waiting for Lowell to retire, move Youk back to 3rd. Their pitching is very young and most of them have not hit their ceiling yet. They have one of the most dominant closers, very good middle relief, but need to add a young catcher, which is the only thing they needed to do anyway.

    It is the beginning of the offseason, not the end, stop losing your heads. Tek will resign because there is nowhere else for him to go. Trade for a young catcher. That is all they have to do this offseason.

    Posted by George December 23, 08 05:02 PM
  1. With the economy in the toilet, this is ludicrous. New York seems to be the epicenter of financial catastrophy: the Madoff scandal, Wall Street and their overpaid Execs STEALING taxpayer money to pay their bonuses, the Lehman Brothers collapse.....it goes on and on. It makes you sick. Unfortunately, this is just another indication that New Yorkers are totally out of touch with reality. Money doesn't necessarily mean success. The bigger they are, the harder they fall.

    Posted by Alicia December 23, 08 05:02 PM
  1. Relax everyone. These Red Sox owners continue to be the best thing that has happened to this team. They have a true understanding of value and hold true to limits. I applaud them. The Sox will be fine. We have a great team, and the ownership will continue to make the right moves. Try to look on the positive side of things... Celts, Bruins, and the miraculous Patriots.... and the Sox have won two world series in the last 5 years!!!

    Posted by Kauai Ex Pat. December 23, 08 05:02 PM
  1. Who gives a crap...The Yankees spend all the time and it does not guarantee success. The Angels had a stacked lineup and pitching with this kid and they still lost to Boston. Chill out people. I would say we should bury the hatchet and bring Manny back though.

    Posted by Travis Bickle December 23, 08 05:02 PM
  1. Lets face it people, the Yankee's ownership reinvest the money they made from their fans back into the team.... On the other hand the Redsox ownership is keeping the money to themselves. Any team can have the right to complain about the NYY on over spending, it's not fair because they are a bigger market team...but not you Boston!

    Posted by RMNY December 23, 08 05:02 PM
  1. Yanks were a few games out last year with leadden Giambi, no Posada no Matsui no CMW...and Geise, Ponson et. al pretending to be major leaguers.

    Now big improvement on D, deeper line-up, Marte all year out of the pen, Joba and CMW all year, strikeout-pitchers who eat innings...and still have Melancon, Hughes and Kennedy.


    Posted by mike December 23, 08 05:02 PM
  1. No matter what the Sox would have offered Boras was going to get more from the Yankees. I think the Sox need to scratch Tek (He's done anyway) and Lowe off their list. Let the year playout unless they can get Peavy to somehow agree to take the Sox off of his no trade list then he would be a nice addition.

    Posted by RJay December 23, 08 05:02 PM
  1. Lets face it people, the Yankee's ownership reinvest the money they made from their fans back into the team.... On the other hand the Redsox ownership is keeping the money to themselves. Any team can have the right to complain about the NYY on over spending, it's not fair because they are a bigger market team...but not you Boston!

    Posted by RMNY December 23, 08 05:02 PM
  1. So after the winter meetings Theo was quoted saying the Sox made 3 offers to 3 different players and so far no bites. This is a very sad day. Like so many here said this is ARod all over again. How on earth do you let this happen AGAIN after you were burnt by NY with ARod? It's very clear that someone in the front office can't or shouldn't be handling any free agent signings or trade because you clearly screw them up. Blame Scott Bor-ass all you want. The Yankees clearly know how he operates and respect it. The Sox continue to play hard ball with him and they lose!

    Thanks for the nice X-mas gift Red Sox! We'll be third place for the next 2-3 years.

    Posted by bostonblues December 23, 08 05:02 PM
  1. If Bud Selig wasn't so spineless he would be stop this in the "best interests of Baseball" ....Come on Bud...get some grapes!

    Posted by fenwayfrank December 23, 08 05:03 PM
  1. I thought you guys are Die Hard Red Sox Fans. As for me I'd rather have the Youkilis', Pedroia's, Lowell's of the world who will give it their all and give us a great summer of entertainment and could very well win the division anyway. Remember there were alot of our team that didn't perform last year and we still went to game 7 in the ALCS. Stop whining. I'm a Red Sox fan and I'll go with the team we have now anytime.

    Posted by Paul Nassar December 23, 08 05:03 PM
  1. It's A-Rod Part II. The Red Sox management decides to pinch pennies, they hesitate and the Yankees swoop in and steal their meal. Henry should wake up and realize this isn't the Florida Marlins. He's going to have a tough time selling out all of those home games when his team is 18 games out by July. Nice move Red Sox. You may have just started another 86 year drought. Hope Red Sox fans enjoyed it while it lasted!

    Posted by kmo December 23, 08 05:03 PM
  1. That is AWESOME! Go YANKEES! Up with hope, down with dope! Giambi's a tool, and Arods a clown, and now Texiera's their B * T A C H. Good for them...I hope they choke on all the money they get. With all that spending and no cap, they still won't win a championship, and even more important to the fans...respect (not that the players care what we think, but we do). I really don't care how much they spend, who they acquire with it, what they will spend next year, and so on...They will never be as good as the RED SOX....gO sOX!

    Posted by chris smith December 23, 08 05:03 PM
  1. I don't think we need *anyone* on our roster with an 8-year deal. That's just too long. The team we have now is pretty darn good and they've got good chemistry. From what I hear, Texeira has more of a Yankee personality than a Red Sox personality, so he wouldn't have fit well with this team. This should be a fun year to watch AL East baseball!

    Posted by Lisa December 23, 08 05:03 PM
  1. BITTER BITTER BITTER NOT OUR FAULT YOUR OWNERSHIP GROUP IS A BUNCH OF MARY'S....GROW UP IT'S ALL FAIR WHAT THE YANKEES DO! GIVE ME A BREAK YOU GUYS BOUGHT 2 CHAMPIONSHIPS IN THE PAST FEW YEARS YES YOU DO HAVE SOME HOMEGROWN PLAYERS BUT THERE ARE MANY ON THOSE TEAMS THAT CAME FROM FA OR TRADES...

    GET A LIFE!

    Posted by YANKS RULE December 23, 08 05:03 PM
  1. Let me explain some things:
    First, I just finished ordering tickets on stub hub to numerous yankee games this year for $50 buchs a ticket, so no, tickets are not all in the thousands. Next, not only does the stadium and network bring in 500 million/yr... licensing is another 500 mil... Furthermore, Im the one buying those tickets, im the one buying their shirts and im the one paying for their network... SO THATS MY MONEY THEY ARE SPENDING, AND FOR MY MONEY I WANT THE BEST PLAYERS... THANK YOU TO THE STEINBRENNERS... Also, Mr. Tex was offered same if not more by other teams... he chose the N.Y. baby...

    Posted by YanksSpendBaby December 23, 08 05:03 PM
  1. Who posting would rather root for Mark Texeira than Mike Lowell? From my standpoint, it was going to take some effort to like Texeira. You can't help but like Mike Lowell. I'm also glad Mr. Henry showed some fiscal responsibility, especially in light of the economy. The Sox have subscribed to the Pat's formula that's been disseminated to all the Boston teams, which is: character trumps talent. The Yankee's have superior talent, but the Sox will have more character and better chemistry. We'll see if that formula holds true and works for the Red Sox this season. I think it will.

    Posted by pete22 December 23, 08 05:03 PM
  1. Yankee's, try growing a team yourselves. Then maybe I'll be impressed. There's no skill or respectability in just throwing money at every big FA that comes your way.

    Posted by priots December 23, 08 05:03 PM
  1. All you people are a bunch of fools!! They are the Sox! when did we cash our chances in this f$*#*ing early...keep panicking you morons...we can beat the yankees with a bunch of nobodys because we have the chemistry they have lacked!

    Posted by ZMONEY December 23, 08 05:04 PM
  1. All you people are a bunch of fools!! They are the Sox! when did we cash our chances in this f$*#*ing early...keep panicking you morons...we can beat the yankees with a bunch of nobodys because we have the chemistry they have lacked!

    Posted by ZMONEY December 23, 08 05:04 PM
  1. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA !!!!!!!

    You really thought Tex would sign with Boston after they screwed him over during the '98 draft? If you don't know what I am talking about, do your homework. What goes around comes around...paybacks are a b*tch!!!

    So who HAVE you guys signed this offseason?

    Posted by Mark December 23, 08 05:04 PM
  1. Still got to play the games...Yanks will at least be able to have a payroll at well over $125M versus the next team. The harder they come the harder they fall

    Posted by who cares. December 23, 08 05:04 PM
  1. Don't worry too much yall. All the Yankee's big spending on A-Rod and Johnny Damon didn't necessarily help them win a World Series recently. Remember the Red Sox have won 2 World Series in the past 4 years. The Yankee's none. The Steinbrenners think they can buy a championship...but there are so many variables that go into a team winning, luck, timing, and team chemistry. After all it was the thriftier teams like the Red Sox and Tampa Bay that made it to the ALCS last year not the Yankees. And the Red Sox have proven they can hit off Burnett, Sabathia and pitch well against Teixeira. If Manny hadn't helped the Sox lose a bunch of games in the middle of last season, the Sox might have very well been the AL East Champs and had home field advantage. I think we should have more faith in our boys. They may come back even stronger this year...and don't forget that Lars guy... he may end up being a big new slugger for the Sox this year.

    Posted by cuteling December 23, 08 05:04 PM
  1. It's business as usual for Boras. Client goes to the highest bidder. Agent makes more money.

    Posted by Mike M December 23, 08 05:04 PM
  1. OMG, the Yankees spend money like crazy but when have they been successful in the playoffs this decade? 2003 they lost to MIKE LOWELL and the marlins. red sox will be better than ever with lowell healthy and youkilis at first. in my opinion. peace.

    Posted by Reche in Roxbury December 23, 08 05:05 PM
  1. Will the Yankees EVER learn??? They keep buying EGOs and not real team players that win championships. When was the last time, a team full of egos won a championship? This is great, now the boneheads in New York are psyched they are going to win it all ... HA!!! We will see next October. The Sox will be the ones playing....

    Posted by jeffd December 23, 08 05:05 PM
  1. These Red Sox are just lining their pockets with these sheep/pink hat wearing idiot fans who will pay anything for the Red Sox all the pink hat losers are just making those a-holes richer and richer. This is why I do not go to any games because I am not a pink hat wearing retard. Down with the pik hats they have turned the teams managment into Bernie Madoff number two.

    Posted by Jeb37 December 23, 08 05:05 PM
  1. Will the Yankees EVER learn??? They keep buying EGOs and not real team players that win championships. When was the last time, a team full of egos won a championship? This is great, now the boneheads in New York are psyched they are going to win it all ... HA!!! We will see next October. The Sox will be the ones playing....

    Posted by jeffd December 23, 08 05:05 PM
  1. The Yankees will not being paying luxury tax at all. What they pay on the new stadium comes directly off their luxury tax bill. The yanks are saving 49 million a year by building a new park. This pays for 3 of their new stars

    Posted by james s December 23, 08 05:05 PM
  1. does this lineup really scare anyone??? Not me...
    LF Johnny Damon
    SS Derek Jeter
    1B Mark Teixeira
    3B Alex Rodriguez
    DH Hideki Matsui
    RF Xavier Nady
    C Jorge Posada
    2B Robinson Cano
    CF Melky Cabrera
    Gstore

    Posted by Gstore December 23, 08 05:05 PM
  1. I love the "Sox were just in it to drive up the price" argument. What a bunch of bs. These guys the Yankees signed will probably get hurt since the Yanks have buzzards' luck with that, but the bs is just laughable - remember, the Sox wanted Pavano as badly as the Yankees and offered him just as much $. Pavano just didn't want to go to the Sox. The same thing happened with Texeira here. All Sox fans can do now is hope he gets hurt - then they'll probably say Sox knew he'd get hurt because he hasn't been hurt before. The fact is, the Sox just again got beat out in high-stakes negotiations by the Yanks.

    Posted by Mike December 23, 08 05:05 PM
  1. oh and u guys suk

    Posted by rob December 23, 08 05:05 PM
  1. JUST ANOTHER REASON TO BOYCOTT BASEBALL AS A WHOLE. ONE SHOULD NOT SPEND MONEY GOING TO WATCH A GAME PLAYED BY OVERPRICED BOYS.

    Posted by JEFF December 23, 08 05:05 PM
  1. These Red Sox are just lining their pockets with these sheep/pink hat wearing idiot fans who will pay anything for the Red Sox all the pink hat losers are just making those a-holes richer and richer. This is why I do not go to any games because I am not a pink hat wearing retard. Down with the pink hats they have turned the teams management into Bernie Madoff number two.

    Posted by Jeb37 December 23, 08 05:05 PM
  1. Good let them spend the dough, it is not like we don't have a good team. The one great thing to come out of this, is that the Yanks probably won't be signing Manny. Which means who the hell will. At least I don't have to watch that punk play us 18 times a year. All their signings are guys who have struggled in the playoffs, keep spending (how has that been working cashman?) and we'll just build from the farm system.

    Posted by DBrown December 23, 08 05:05 PM
  1. The Yankees are ruining baseball! Just when you think Boras has finally screwed over one of his clients by asking for absurd $$$ or years, owners do the right thing and cut him off. BUT, the Yankees are always there to make him look brilliant which puts the rest of baseball in a bad negotiating position when trying to lock down Free Agents. The Yankees don't care what they pay, and Boras will keep signing any client who wants to make bank and/or play for the Yankees. Good for a select few, BAD FOR BASEBALL!
    Boras needs to be stopped, The Yankees have signed a half billion in contracts this offseason and Manny doesn’t have a team yet! SALARY CAP???????

    Posted by Pcliff27 December 23, 08 05:06 PM
  1. Guys, gals, a little perspective here ... Tex is an excellent player, one the Sox could have used ... but we beat the favored Angels with Tex on their team ... he is not a final solution. This hurts because the BS media was hyping us all along, so we would do what we all are doing now ... continue coming to this site and keeping Sox revenue pouring in. So don't blame Tex or the Yankees. We were duped from the beginning. The Sox do need a slugger though ... they will completely and utterly suck next year without another 30+ home run guy. But it was fun while it lasted!

    Posted by Bman December 23, 08 05:06 PM
  1. A little upset but lets spend the money on some other free agents. There is still power available, although old as it may be (Burrell, Dunn, etc) and for the price we were looking at paying Tex we can now go after some of the pitching as well (Lowe, Sheets). Also, trades are still in play. We saved a bundle and now we can use it in several arenas instead of just one. We will be alright. Get a power hitting outfielder, a better hitting short stop and another pitcher and we will be fine. Heck, snag-up Jim Emonds for a year.

    Posted by SOXINVA December 23, 08 05:06 PM
  1. I'm happy we didn't land him. My personal opinion is that the Red Sox just need to sign free agent reliever Brian Fuentes, make Masterson a starter, figure out which young pitcher will give us less of a headache in Texas (Bucholtz, Bowden or Bard) and get Salti for a starting catcher, sign Veritek to a 2 or 3 year contract for around $6 million/year to be a back up catcher/back up first baseman/tutor to Salti. Sign Smoltz to fill the Bartolo Colon roll of 2008 (plus he could move to the bullpen as needed). Use extra money to extend Youk, Bay & Lester (and maybe Papelbon). Then collect World Series trophy in October 2009, and finally, reschedule parade to go right through downtown New York.

    Posted by Chris December 23, 08 05:06 PM
  1. 180 million for a guy who was traded for Casey Kotchman last year. Truly hilarious! Sox dodged a bullet on this one. Just ask any Braves fan. Tex is good, but not worthy of such an elite contract.

    Posted by SoxFanInATL December 23, 08 05:06 PM
  1. Oh shucks! Guess we'll just have to leave our Gold Glove first baseman where he is and keep our gold glove, WS MVP at third base. I suppose we'll just have to use that $170 - $180 million to retain our HOME GROWN players like Youk, Pedroia (done deal), Paps, Lester, Masterson and hopefully future stars like Lars Anderson, Buchholz, Bowden and Bard. Like I said, shucks!

    You keep buying those over-hyped, over-priced free agents Cashman! How's that working out for ya by the way?

    Posted by Beachman December 23, 08 05:06 PM
  1. The Sox have ZERO power in their lineup.

    I don't care how much "pitching" one may have on a team, you still need to score runs.

    The Sox are a joke, the uniforms, the logo's, not signing Tex, it's all a JOKE.
    AT OUR EXPENSE..... we'll be lucky to finish 3rd this season.

    AND I love the Redsox too. It's a Shame. But we'll see.

    Posted by DougHenry December 23, 08 05:07 PM
  1. Thank God, I could never understand this move anyways. They need a catcher that can hit a solid 270 with 50+ RBI's not a first basemen. Extend Jason Bay's contract; his numbers are not that far off from this guy for a fraction of the cost.

    Posted by Bigthree December 23, 08 05:07 PM
  1. All you bitchers and groaners have the right to never watch the Red Sox
    again.....yeah like that's going to happen. All you do is criticize, and never give
    credit for the best run in Red Sox history. I was there in the fifties and sixties,
    and we sucked.
    You should all be thankful for two world championships, a competitve team
    with heart, smart management, and a strong farm system that bodes well for the future. Get a life!!!!!!

    Posted by Gunky0149 December 23, 08 05:07 PM
  1. KILROY IS GOD!!! I hate the Yankees.

    Posted by Eddie December 23, 08 05:07 PM
  1. As I predicted this morning, he would go to the Yanks because of the Sox distaste for opt outs and no trade clauses!

    Posted by Lee Jacobs December 23, 08 05:07 PM
  1. First, will all those boxes really sell to the poor boys on Wall Street? Second, the rest of the Yankees are older or gone so I don't see Texeira dragging them out of mediocrity. Third the Sox have issues but first base is really not one of them. Lowell says he's doing well and if Papi can't cut it this year there will be bats to be had, either down in the minors or as June becomes July the laggards will be looking to trade. And twenty two million a year will buy a lot of pitching if that's where they go now. All you hysterical boys out there remember, they have to play the games.

    Posted by Bobtich December 23, 08 05:07 PM
  1. I'm disappointed. . . but surprised? Hardly. Look at the holes they had to fill, and the overall lack of a farm system.

    I heard a rumor that the Yank$ are going to offer Tek a 3-year, $56M deal to back up Posada, hahaha!

    Posted by denver_soxfan December 23, 08 05:07 PM
  1. Yanks got outwitted by John Henry AGAIN. We drove up the price, the Globe helped by saying we were front runners, and the Yanks had to overpay. And they can't trade him either haha (nice no-trade clause Boras, you owed us one for overpaying Varitek the last four years). Madoff and Boras screwing over 5th Ave just in time for the Macy's day parade...

    Posted by overrated December 23, 08 05:07 PM
  1. This is a non-story. Whoop-dee-doo the Yanks signed another free agent. Would you rather have Mark Teixeira or Jason Bay and Kevin Youkilis. I would certainly rather have the latter.

    Now it's time to get a catcher, another starting pitcher (trade for Peavy ?) and re-sign Bay and Youk.

    No worries Boston fans and Happy Holidays!

    Posted by Nathaniel Donovan December 23, 08 05:07 PM
  1. In all honesty, would anyone really feel good about giving 22M for the dude? He's never been on a team that has won (Angels had already won their division anyway) and I'm not sure given his history with the Sox organization that he would ever live up to the expectations of the contract. He is not Manny, he is not a healthy Ortiz . He's a more glorified version of one of our own: Kevin Youkilis. Be proud of your hometown team for sticking to their words and go forward from here and keep cheering your favorite team!

    Posted by DK December 23, 08 05:08 PM
  1. It's amusing to read Red Sox fans complaining about the $ spent on Texeira, saying he is not that good a player, when they would have been thrilled to see him on the Red Sox for the same money. The offseason will be complete if the beloved Yankees sign Manny; he would probably bat about .750 in Fenway.
    Hopefully the Yanks are up a dozen by the end of August.

    Posted by Bill December 23, 08 05:08 PM
  1. Everybody just relax.. The Yanks make a big splash every year (Mussina, Giambi, A-Rod, Sheffield, RJ, Vasquez, Kevin Brown, Contreras, Pavano, Damon ect ect) and it never works out for them... We have two pitchers that are better than Burnett and Sabathia. Actually Dice-K is going to have a better year than Burnett.. The sox have a plan and they stick to it. The Yanks were great when the had a few superstars with some good, hard-nosed gamers, like Bro, Tino, and Oneil.. You can't buy chemistry... So all y'

    Posted by Alan December 23, 08 05:09 PM
  1. who needs a portagee who can even pronounce his name right? its Tex-erra, not Tesh-erra. Ask anyone from New Bedford.

    Posted by mdh December 23, 08 05:09 PM
  1. They better win it all!

    Posted by Bill Falcone December 23, 08 05:09 PM
  1. As a Red Sox fan i am disgusted in our front office who continue to drop the ball and let the Yankees outwit them around every corner. That being said i am also disgusted in the Yankees and all this does for them is solidify there place as the biggest joke in the history of pro sports. Im still more upset with Boston for letting them do it.

    Posted by yoadrian December 23, 08 05:09 PM
  1. Don't forget, the Yankees always win the hot stove World Series. But they consistently come up short in October. Tex isn't god and he hasn't won any rings for his previous three teams. He's just the free agent du jour and the Yankees always fall in love with that. The Sox will be OK.

    Posted by dbt13 December 23, 08 05:09 PM
  1. Who cares? I'm glad they didn't sign him just on principal. The Yankees spent close to 1/2 BILLION dollars on free agents? Cripes folks, when does it end? Teixeira got $23 mil to play baseball? Sorry, I didn't know he was Babe Ruth. Everyone knows the Yankees are trying to buy a championship, so let them do it. At this point, if the Sox finish below the Yankees but the Yankees don't win the Series, I'll be happy. The Sox have bigger things to worry about anyway, like finding a catcher that isn't a fossil.

    Posted by Pick and Troll December 23, 08 05:10 PM
  1. You people crying about salary caps embarrass me. Its fine if the Sox, do it, but when we get outbid? And you others who say Tex isnt that good now? Or CC? Or Burnett? The Yank$ deserve the Championship right now, they stepped up. We didn't. Hello third place.
    Remember, the Sox spent some obscene money and won it all in 2007, after a third place 2006. Thats what 3rd place does to you.

    Posted by SG December 23, 08 05:10 PM
  1. come on people.... half of you need to calm down. I'm glad they didn't sign an albatros of a contract. 8 yrs, no trade clause at $23 mil a yr. I'm MUCH happier with Kevin Youkalis as my first baseman.

    This is a trend the yanks have been on for a decade, except this yr they brought several shopping carts with them. A 5 yr deal to an injury prone pitcher, a 7 yr deal to a pitcher who has AWFUL post season stats and is not the model of health, and now an 8 yr deal to a 1B. Looks familiar (Giambi). Anyway... time will only tell.

    Posted by Bones December 23, 08 05:10 PM
  1. =) No manny... No Tek. What you got there??? LOL

    Posted by The real Dr. Phil. December 23, 08 05:10 PM
  1. Excellent news! This pushes Yankee money for a fat pitcher, another possibly injury prone pitcher and a first baseman to more than $300 million bucks. To make this even more obscene and stupid - the Yankees are pushing New York City to float them something like $300 million in debt bonds right now. I guess nobody in the Bronx has been looking down island at what has been happening to Wall Street and the national/international economy.

    Sorry - but this rates an all-time bad karma score the way this particular Yankees team is operating. While I never wish anyone ill health, I'd be willing to bet CC's arm falls apart, Burnett burns out his shoulder and Tex crumbles under the stress of taking a contract like that and playing in the zoo.


    Posted by John Harrington December 23, 08 05:10 PM
  1. I AM SO MAD RIGHT NOW I CAN NOT SAY WHAT I REALLY WANT TO SAY ON HERE BUT I CAN TELL YOU THAT JOHN HENRY ,THEO AND LARRY LUCHINO ARE NOT ON MY LIST OF FAVORITE PEOPLE RIGH NOW AFTER LETTING TEIXEIRA GO THE YANKEES WHAT WERE YOU GUYS THINKING ARE YOU 3 MORONS OR JUST DON'T CARE ABOUT US RED SOX FANS. I HOPE MIKE LOWELL MAKES THEM PAY FOR PUTTING HIM THRU THIS TOO AFTER ALL HE IS THE ONE WHO WOULD HAVE LOST IN THIS WHOLE DEAL. GOOD JOB RED SOX BRASS ANOTHER JOB NOT WELL DONE BUT WE ALL KNOW THE RED SOX BRASS DON'T READ THE STUFF HERE BECAUSE THEY REALLY DON'T GIVE A DAMN ABOUT US.

    Posted by David L McCormack December 23, 08 05:10 PM
  1. Whatever! The Yankees will still find a way to lose. They dont have the team chemistry to win a championship. This just gives us one more guy to hate. Thats what makes this rivalry so great! We still have a lot of good players and Lowell still has something to offer, assuming his rehab goes well. Now we can sign Lowe and some more bullpen help. And finally address our catching problem. Go Sox! Happy Holidays to the Nation!!!

    Posted by Doup December 23, 08 05:10 PM
  1. I AM SO MAD RIGHT NOW I CAN NOT SAY WHAT I REALLY WANT TO SAY ON HERE BUT I CAN TELL YOU THAT JOHN HENRY ,THEO AND LARRY LUCHINO ARE NOT ON MY LIST OF FAVORITE PEOPLE RIGH NOW AFTER LETTING TEIXEIRA GO THE YANKEES WHAT WERE YOU GUYS THINKING ARE YOU 3 MORONS OR JUST DON'T CARE ABOUT US RED SOX FANS. I HOPE MIKE LOWELL MAKES THEM PAY FOR PUTTING HIM THRU THIS TOO AFTER ALL HE IS THE ONE WHO WOULD HAVE LOST IN THIS WHOLE DEAL. GOOD JOB RED SOX BRASS ANOTHER JOB NOT WELL DONE BUT WE ALL KNOW THE RED SOX BRASS DON'T READ THE STUFF HERE BECAUSE THEY REALLY DON'T GIVE A DAMN ABOUT US.

    Posted by David L McCormack December 23, 08 05:10 PM
  1. WTF!!!! What is Theo doing? Has he been sitting on the toilet for the last month and a half while the yankee's have been spending enough money to fund a small army?!?!?!

    Posted by redsox4eva December 23, 08 05:11 PM
  1. BTW - Does everyone still think it's a great idea that the RED SOX renovated Fenway. We still have the highest average ticket prices in baseball but because we are limited to under 40,000 people we will not have the revenue the Skanks have. This is a bad day for the RED SOX and a bad day for Baseball. If John Henry was wise right now he would sign Manny. There is no else out there to protect Ortiz in the lineup. UGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG

    Posted by John Merlesena December 23, 08 05:11 PM
  1. What the heck is plan B, Theo???

    Posted by DavidFraryinCali December 23, 08 05:11 PM
  1. All you people who are certain Texeria would have signed here if only the Sox had upped the ante by a million or two, are WRONG!! The guy wanted to play in NY and was using the Sox to get more $$ from the Yanks. He had a fantastic offer from the Sox, far more than he's worth, and turned it down. So get over it.

    Posted by Ferde Rombola December 23, 08 05:11 PM
  1. A lot of overreactiuon for one player. Tex may be very good, but he is one player and even with the Angels, could not get them past the first round of the playoffs. It will still take 25 coming together as a unit to win. This means Mike Lowell stays and the Sox can explore signing free agents who will not be as pricey as Tex.
    The Yanks of 2004 were also laden with superstars, but they did not win.
    Let's play the season and bring up Lars Anderson, who may be like Youk in 2004 and turn into a really good players two years hence. The point is let us not lose our heads. Baseball is the most unpredictable of all sports. The team that wins it all is not the best on paper.

    Posted by soxinjersey December 23, 08 05:11 PM
  1. now they just need manny.... they can have the biggest collection of talent and the largest payroll but that still doesn't buy them the championships.... It takes a TEAM effort. Didn't the yankee brass watch the post season the past few years?

    Posted by baseball fan December 23, 08 05:11 PM
  1. "The Yankees' revenue increase due to their new ballpark has written a new rule in MLB free agency: If the Yankees want a player, they will ALWAYS have the highest bid in the end. Because they have an almost limitless budget, they can never be outbid. The best you can do is try and pump up the price they will eventually pay. Period."

    You say it like it's a good thing, hibricc. Not for baseball, it isn't.

    Posted by denver_soxfan December 23, 08 05:12 PM
  1. One more reason why Baseball requires a hard Salary Cap. The Yankees are spending more in 2009 on 5-players ($109M) than 20 of MLB teams entire salary. Why bother watching the season unfold as it is pretty obvious, the Yankees just want to buy a Championship.

    Posted by Don December 23, 08 05:12 PM
  1. Good. Can we now use the money for a real shortstop?

    Posted by fjf December 23, 08 05:13 PM
  1. Lars Anderson projects to be the same sort of hitter as Teixeira, and at a fraction of the cost. And we keep our first round draft pick.

    The Sox offered Teixeira an 8yr/$180 deal similar to what he took with the Yankees. Either we didn't want him, for whatever reason - not the least of which is that he may have straight-out lied to John Henry, to his face, about other offers - or he didn't want to play here. Given that playing here is similar - and I think better - it was probably Henry and Epstein that soured on Tex.

    GTood

    Good

    Posted by JR December 23, 08 05:13 PM
  1. SCREW the Yankees and that lying F*&$ Cashman!!
    Next up Manny...they are going for broke...

    Theo, please trade for Jake Peavy!!!!!

    Posted by skankeehater December 23, 08 05:14 PM
  1. I am sort of glad that the Sox did not get Texeira. Although I thought he was a very good hitter he amounts to nothing more than a mercenary who's only, and I mean only, factor is playing for the absolute highest bidder. I do my best to ignore the money side of baseball as I think it really hurts my appreciation for the game and the players. They ought to just have an auction block and have players bidded for and show that on ESPN (could replace the Heisman Award Show). I hope that Texeira proves to be only an average player and that Rodriquez and Jeter continue to have average years. I trust our Management to make good decisions and they certainly made the right moves in not re-signing Damon or Pedro. I think we should fully support the guys who really seem to want to be part of our club, which is why it was so refreshing that Lowell wanted to resign with us, even if he could have done better somewhere else.

    Posted by Pennsylvania Red Sox Fan December 23, 08 05:14 PM
  1. Will everyone please come in off the ledge!!!!!!! I know, I know, 26 World Championships...just remember the success we have enjoyed the last couple of years. Everyone was PO'ed about Damon, et al. and we see how that worked out. If the Yanks want to throw money at all these guys, let'em. I will take the young guys we have in our system to sustain our team. Tex would have been nice, but that's the way goes.

    Posted by Flannyman December 23, 08 05:14 PM
  1. Yet another failure by the Red Sox front office and ownership.
    Nice work gentlemen!!

    Posted by SMM December 23, 08 05:14 PM
  1. Lars Anderson !

    Posted by joe December 23, 08 05:15 PM
  1. He wanted the yankees all along? I hope he breaks his leg or gets hurt. I'm done with sports, I am sweating out trying to purchase gifts and this is what we are following at xmas. I hope you career is fun in ny you loser!

    Posted by greaseslinger23 December 23, 08 05:15 PM
  1. Wait a minute Red Sox nation...Texeira has not been on a team who has won one post season series much less a World Series and the Angels were loaded last year!! If Ortiz, Drew and Lowell return healthy the Sox will be fine. Theo needs to pick up a starter (Lowe/Sheets), improve the pen, find a 4th outfielder (to spell Drew) and focus on finding a catcher. My guess is the Yanks are not done yet (keep an eye on Tek, Ramirez and Lowe).
    My guess is "ego" issues, age issues and pitching issues will again creep up on the Yanks. Keep the faith. Merry Christmas

    Posted by TB December 23, 08 05:16 PM
  1. Major League Baseball is such a JOKE! Time for them to start leveling the playing field otherwise it'll always be the Yankees signing the big talent.

    Posted by Dave December 23, 08 05:16 PM
  1. now all the pressure is off and back on the yanks. this is what we wanted...right? RIGHT? it's going to feel good to rout against tex and co. hahaha - let's call them TEXACO because they suck gas.

    yankees suck.

    Posted by soyboy7 December 23, 08 05:16 PM
  1. The Yankees will be bankrupty court in three years.

    Posted by Jay Severin And His Doorknob December 23, 08 05:16 PM
  1. WHEN WILL THEY LEARN YOU CAN'T BUY A TITLE. I AM GLAD THE SOX PUT A PRICE ON THINGS AND STICK TOO IT. THEY MONEY THEY SPENT ON 3 PLAYERS WHO HAVE ZERO RINGS BETWEEN THEM. ITS LAUGHABLE.

    Posted by RINO December 23, 08 05:16 PM
  1. His numbers dont deliver huh? A great 1st baseman. Switch hitter. 30 120 guy? Umm. I'll take it. I love how you clowns talk about money, yet were fully prepared to pay him 170 mil. Sorry. Stop whining about money. The Yankees payroll actually went down from last season, and we landed everything you did not. Sorry. you guys can twist this whatever way you chose to... but bottom line is this SUCKS for Boston... which means it's terrific for me. I wont lie... I'm not thrilled about the 8 years and the Full No Trade Clause.... but I'll take it. Merry TEXmas everyone.

    Posted by EJFLEX December 23, 08 05:16 PM
  1. Manny and Lowe are on the way see you guys in 09 .Yankee fan

    Posted by Gary Besemer December 23, 08 05:16 PM
  1. I am a heartbeat from not watching ANY baseball. I will not contribute to this economic irresponsibility any longer.

    Posted by Tim December 23, 08 05:17 PM
  1. I don't think I'm TOO upset with Texiera. However, I think if I were Henry and Epstein, I would have the same reaction to Boras that Schuerholz has toward the Arn Tellum group. I would NEVER deal with Boras again. Let him use other teams to drive up his commission. I wouldn't do it again. Yes, I would continue negotiating with him on players we currently have had (Tek). Anyone new he has for 2009? See ya, we'll move on to other players and get two for your one, thank you.

    Posted by Northeast Sox Fan December 23, 08 05:17 PM
  1. REMEMBER WHEN THE YONKS GOT AROD ? EVERYBODY THOUGT THE YONKS HAD IT WON, HE IS A BIG NOTHING, JETER IS IN DECLINE AND MO RIVERAS ARM IS GOING TO GO AND AJ BURNETT IS AN INJURY RISK.CALM DOWN! JOHN, TEO AND LARRY WILL STILL OUTMANUVER THE TREE STOOGES IN THE BRONX YOU JUST WATCH !

    Posted by RICHARD December 23, 08 05:17 PM
  1. GOOD GLAD HE IS A SKANKEE. SOX RULE!

    Posted by robert December 23, 08 05:17 PM
  1. As I already expressed, I think this worked out in the Sox favor, but all you fan boys saying the following 3-4-5 hitters stink are nuts:

    3. Mark Teixeira
    4. Alex Rodriguez
    5. Hideki Matsui

    Posted by Horrifying December 23, 08 05:17 PM
  1. BOO HOO HOO The SUX"S will be 3rd in the AL east. Maybe the Yankees will sign Manny too! BOO HOO HOO Time to cry in your Sam Adams.

    Posted by DJ December 23, 08 05:18 PM
  1. No Texeira, no problemo. Already have an MVP firstbaseman in Youk. Jed Lowrie is a Wade Boggs thirdbasman in waiting, Lowrie played hurt and played hard and he hits.
    Soxs need a Catcher, a shortstop, and a veteran starting pitcher with the winning desire of a Curt Shilling. Lowe is good, but does not have the Shilling winning attitude. Let's find a guy from a recent World Series Champ, that wants a change of scenery, just like Beckett and Schilling did.

    The Red Sox drove up the Yankees price, there will be better players like a Pujols for the Red Sox to get over the next couple of years.

    Posted by WillWill December 23, 08 05:18 PM
  1. You Could see it happening again ,the same as when the Sox went after A-Rod they wouldn't go the extra and the Yankees came through the back door again.
    But last year the hand writting was on the wall with the Yankees ,New Stadium jetisoning all the players that never made them a smoth fit ,as in the late 90's early 2000's teams they had .it was predictable moneyyyyyyyyyyyyy and new stadium !!!!!

    Posted by Gil December 23, 08 05:18 PM
  1. WOW...ownership really thinks they can play poker with Boras and actually win...First we lost A-rod, Drove ManRam out of Town because they didn't pick up his option at the beginning of the season, and now Tex for not paying a few mil a year more. Where is the backbone ownership? Tickets are already high...how much more you want to milk us from the last world serious...we pack the house every game to actually see a contending team out there. Spineless

    Posted by Theoisadoush December 23, 08 05:18 PM
  1. They might as well sign Manny too. They have no excuse if they don't win it this year. By the way the Yankees still SUCK !!!!!!

    Posted by Ed December 23, 08 05:18 PM
  1. 470 comments in 2 hours ?????

    F the yanks and enjoy Christmas. Sox will be fine.

    Posted by Mark December 23, 08 05:18 PM
  1. Are the Yankee pigs finished? Did they leave any room for dessert? What an embarrasment for Red Sox nation. Again the Red Sox brass do nothing.

    Posted by Richard Shamock December 23, 08 05:19 PM
  1. Are the Yankee pigs finished? Did they leave any room for dessert? What an embarrasment for Red Sox nation. Again the Red Sox brass do nothing.

    Posted by Richard Shamock December 23, 08 05:19 PM
  1. This is just another reason that the "pink hats" are bringing down the Red Sox. These yuppie morons will pay any amount of money for any Red Sox thing and the team knows this, they will sell out that disaster known as Fenway Park every game no matter what so why spend money on the team when you can just line your pockets with it. This is just another reason I have slowly started to hate the Red Sox and MLB in general. Until the fans say screw you to the team this type of crap will continue to happen. I hope CC blows out his shoulder, Teixiera tears an ACL and we all know that stiff Burnett WILL be on the 60 day DL at some point in say JUNE. F U Red Sox and FU you pink hat wearing losers.

    Posted by Jeb37 December 23, 08 05:19 PM
  1. Even us Yankee fans in Texas are laughing at Boston right now

    Posted by Gabe December 23, 08 05:19 PM
  1. Despite what Red Sox fans think, not everybody wants to play in Boston. Good bluff - front office. I'd love to play poker with you guys.

    Posted by Glenn December 23, 08 05:19 PM
  1. Relax people, Red Sox Nation probably just doubled in size. People dislike the Jankees for their ability to buy any and all free agents and laugh when they fall on their faces, take A-Rod for example, what a joke. It will come back to bite them.

    Posted by Virginia Sox Fan December 23, 08 05:19 PM
  1. No worries, I am so glad Tex is going to the spankees, as usual Boras overpricing his clients...There is no way this guy is worth that much money, his stats are not much better than JD Drew and we have already overpaid for him...I think a trade is in the works for a power bast, stay tuned!

    Posted by Chris December 23, 08 05:20 PM
  1. haaahaaaaaaaahaaaa...must...stop...laughing...yeah Red Sux, the guy you were all salivating over a minute ago is now in the Bronx. Maybe if Epstein would get his thumb out of his mouth (heh heh) and was a real NY hustler he'd have him signed. But again, the "wanna-be yankees" from Bahston were a tad too late. Go ahead and hate, haters!! That's all you do anyway. haaaaaaaaahaaaaahaaaaaaa!!!

    Posted by BoogieDown J December 23, 08 05:20 PM
  1. Wake up you cry babies! You didn't win a championship until you BOUGHT big name players. Now you are crying again? Pathetic bean brains. Maybe you should sack up and build a stadium. not that old broken down piss hole with the stupid wall. You lose $400K in revenue each game beacue of your limited seat bandbox. Go Yankees!

    Posted by Joe December 23, 08 05:20 PM
  1. By the way BEACHMAN. YEAH it DOES Suck. i get a kick out of how you Sox fans truly think you mde out here. Way to sugar coat. bottom line is you guys had less homegrown players on your squad 2 seasons ago then the Yanks did. Stop using your BS facts. And you cn repeat WS MVP and WS this all you want. When the Yankees win another, and inevitably they will eventually... what will it be then? How will you twist the facts then to suit your arguments? At 30 yrs old... I am not allowed to mention anything pre 70's(according to my Sox fan friends)... ok theres rule #1. Next it's.. the 90's and 2000 is living in the past... ok fine.. so I am left only with the present. Convenient for you guys who chocked your lives away for 90 years. Convenient.

    Posted by EJFLEX December 23, 08 05:20 PM
  1. Hey, Mr. Boras, good luck trying to sell Varitek back to the Red Sox!

    Posted by Good Luck! December 23, 08 05:22 PM
  1. Funny how the poll all week had everyone wanting Texeira, now it's "good riddance!" I remember something similar when the Sox failed to land A-Rod. Man, I love these Red Sox fans.

    Posted by LynahFaithful December 23, 08 05:22 PM
  1. I'm absolutely sick to my stomach over this. The Red Sox just freed up $20 million by unloading Manny's contract and they lose a player over essentially 1.25million/year over 8 years. PONY UP!!!! There's no one else OUT there anymore. Yay...now we get Derek Lowe's arrogance and $10 mill/year for him...with no bat in the lineup to protect Papi.

    Posted by DocSolano December 23, 08 05:22 PM
  1. Career 1 HR, 5 RBI .194 avg in 62 AB at Fenway - its gonna be fun watching him choke with ARod. Thankfully we didn't sign this joker. Pitching wins championships and we've got lots of it for years. GO SOX!

    Posted by weddedbliss2007 December 23, 08 05:22 PM
  1. Whatever. We came within a few innings of the World Series last year without Teixeira -- with Mike Lowell on the DL, Josh Beckett hurt, Papi hurt and JD Drew just off the DL. Teixeira was a "nice to have" but not a "must have." So the Yankees have signed him? So what? Now they're dedicating $425 million to a pitcher who is widely expected to break down in a couple years, another pitcher who has one good season under his belt in 10 seasons, and a very good 1B who has never been the difference maker on his team. Good for them. Teams made up of high-priced free agents rarely win it all. The Tigers were viewed as heavy favorites this fall because iof their moves. They didn't make the playoffs. I think this move makes the YAnkees playoff contenders, but not guaranteed World Series contenders.

    I think they'll live to regret

    Posted by FatMatt December 23, 08 05:22 PM
  1. How does Boston in third place in the AL East look for next year? Money sure talks! Sure was nice of the taxpayers in New York to build a new stadium for the "poor" Yankees who couldn't afford to build it themselves. Red Sox have to settle for whatever garbage is left on the free agent market and there isn't much.

    Posted by Speedyrpm2001 December 23, 08 05:22 PM
  1. Giambi, Pavano, Abreau, A-Rod......last time I checked, those were also big money free agents that helped the Yanks win squat. Texeira will continue that trend. Looking forward to watching Burnett blow out his arm by June and Sabathia 400lbs by the 4th year of his deal.

    Sox are better off not spending that kind of cash on just ONE player.

    Posted by edi17 December 23, 08 05:23 PM
  1. Wow 500+ postings.

    Look at it this way. It's going to be that much more embarssing for the Bronx Boozers when they don't make the playoffs again this year.

    Posted by Mack December 23, 08 05:24 PM
  1. Everybody needs to hold their horses on this one. As a die hard Sox fan, I am a little disappointed that we did not sign Texeira. However, I am even more happy that the Yank-mees have been suckered into dishing out the money for him. BUT....remember one thing baseball fans.....good pitching always beats good hitting....regular season and playoffs. So, that leaves Theo and company with one major priority at this point. GET JAKE PEAVY! Keep who we have in the line-up and our pitching will just shut them down. plain and simple. That is the only counter move out there, unless Pujols becomes available, and last time I checked, he's off limits.

    Posted by Angelo December 23, 08 05:24 PM
  1. Somewhere there is an 8 year old who has never seen the Yankees win a World Series, and frankly we find this unacceptable.

    Posted by Brian Cashman December 23, 08 05:24 PM
  1. Ed. That's it that's the best ya got the Yankees suck. Red Sox's fans need to get original.

    Posted by DJ December 23, 08 05:24 PM
  1. Yeah, the Yankees throw a lot of cash at problems and the free agent market, but so does every other team. The only reason anyone even notices it is because its a whole lot of money, but they earned every cent they have. All of their championships and pennants and the genius marketing plan that has been going on for the past 3 decades make them not just the best team in baseball, but the smartest. Go Yankees! I bleed pinstripes, you guys just bleed red like everyone else....

    Posted by marc3 December 23, 08 05:25 PM
  1. Tank God. Dis guy no good for da team. what you need is to go get dat Fuentes guy for da pen and dat Lowe guy as insurance policy. Next time Claude Lemieux see dat Tex guy, i check him hard to da boards and give hims da face wash.

    Posted by Claude Lemieux December 23, 08 05:25 PM
  1. Anything is possible after you came back from 0-3. There is alway HOPE, soxes fans. 26 to 7 and counting.....

    Posted by Jay December 23, 08 05:25 PM
  1. The Yanks are all "on paper". The Sox will play awesome on the field. Lets get more pitching. GO SOX!! Now if Amalie Benjamin would head south.

    Posted by Dan Campbell December 23, 08 05:26 PM
  1. The best part about the Yankees signing Teixeira is that no one is talking about when the Yankees went to the state of New York to seek more money for there new park. The Yankees agreed to pay 90% percent of the cost of the new park and then they cried to the state of New York that they needed more money.

    I would hate to be a taxpayer in the state of New York right now.
    I will laugh my ass off if they dont win the World Series this year.

    If anyone is keeping track of the money

    Posted by Steve K December 23, 08 05:26 PM
  1. Rather face Tex then Manny. Now Manny is screwed (good after what he did to the Sawx) and remember the golden rule, IN THEO WE TRUST!

    Posted by Mike December 23, 08 05:26 PM
  1. What's next for the Sox.IF Lowell and Ortiz aren't healthy what then? We need to do something!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Posted by Dick December 23, 08 05:27 PM
  1. WEEI must be lickin' their chops!

    Posted by CyekiM December 23, 08 05:27 PM
  1. So many people are talking about signing Tek and Lowe. Keep in mind who their agent is. The Yankees already said they aren't done.

    Posted by ddoige December 23, 08 05:27 PM
  1. Hey Sox fans...Manny is still available! Hope you enjoy 3rd place for years to come!

    Posted by Keith December 23, 08 05:28 PM
  1. Teixeira may have Boras as an agent and he kept holding for more and more money but still, this is pathetic. He may not be worth 184 million, but that is besides the point. The guy is not a cancer in the locker room, and he puts up consistent numbers and plays gold glove caliber defense. . I fault the Red Sox for this one barring some major and unlikely trade. They totally dropped the ball on this one. I am tired of hearing about a few million dollars keeping them from getting a player. (A-Rod and now Teix) We dont seem to do well in the free agent market overall. They wont sign the top tier proven guys and instead over pay for middle to upper guys

    Posted by Jonathan December 23, 08 05:28 PM
  1. tha's right you wimpy blog man. dont publish t real items. hide it from these wimps but you let their fould mouths in. nice job hypocrit

    Posted by fu December 23, 08 05:28 PM
  1. As a Yankee fan, I must say that I do think you guys have some really awesome players -- Pedroia, Lester, Youkilis, Papelbon, etc. But, realistically, you cannot hate the Yankees for sinking their money back into the team. Henry could have had Tex too. He never should have let him go to the Yankees.

    Having said that, money doesn't buy championships. You guys still have a great team. I think the rivalry is back and it's going to be fun.

    Posted by Pat December 23, 08 05:28 PM
  1. Things happen for a reason. I don't think it's so much that management blew it as much as they knew the desires for Texiera.

    The Yankmee's got A-Rod and Damon, yet they won nothing.

    Posted by tomen8r December 23, 08 05:28 PM
  1. I agree with Hosss back at 130.
    I never liked Texeira. By him signing with the Yankees shows how little integrity he has. Yankees at best will finish 3rd. I'm sure Theo has something up his sleeve.

    Mike Lowell has more integrity, class and is a gritty ball player. Texeira's afraid to get his uniform dirty. He's not a Red Sox type guy.

    Posted by marcogio December 23, 08 05:29 PM
  1. I agree with Hosss back at 130.
    I never liked Texeira. By him signing with the Yankees shows how little integrity he has. Yankees at best will finish 3rd. I'm sure Theo has something up his sleeve.

    Mike Lowell has more integrity, class and is a gritty ball player. Texeira's afraid to get his uniform dirty. He's not a Red Sox type guy.

    Posted by marcogio December 23, 08 05:29 PM
  1. I agree with Hosss back at 130.
    I never liked Texeira. By him signing with the Yankees shows how little integrity he has. Yankees at best will finish 3rd. I'm sure Theo has something up his sleeve.

    Mike Lowell has more integrity, class and is a gritty ball player. Texeira's afraid to get his uniform dirty. He's not a Red Sox type guy.

    Posted by marcogio December 23, 08 05:29 PM
  1. Good! I couldn't stand the thought of trading of Mike Lowell, the MVP who played hard ALL the time, even with an agonizing injury - who took less $$ to stay in Boston, for a player who was vastly overrated. And how sweet it is that the ultimate ingrate Manny is the wallflower here. Sweet! Give me our dirtdogs any day, who play with heart and grit and love for their team.
    There are other free agents out there that can be signed for reasonable $$/time and maybe Derek Lowe and Hanley Ramiriz? Can't wait to see MT hit .154 at Fenway - GO SOX!!!

    Posted by Quillchick December 23, 08 05:29 PM
  1. Teixeira may have Boras as an agent and he kept holding for more and more money but still, this is pathetic. He may not be worth 184 million, but that is besides the point. The guy is not a cancer in the locker room, and he puts up consistent numbers and plays gold glove caliber defense. . I fault the Red Sox for this one barring some major and unlikely trade. They totally dropped the ball on this one. I am tired of hearing about a few million dollars keeping them from getting a player. (A-Rod and now Teix) We dont seem to do well in the free agent market overall. They wont sign the top tier proven guys and instead over pay for middle to upper guys

    Posted by Jonathan December 23, 08 05:29 PM
  1. THE RED SOX SHOULD'NT SIGN ANY BORAS'S FREE AGENTS INCLUDING VARITEK AND START PLAN "B" IF THERE IS ONE.

    Posted by MR.T December 23, 08 05:29 PM
  1. Have faith, Nation. We have the best management in ball while the all the bronx bombers have is money. Someday B-ball will wake up, put a salary cap in place and then the yanks will be a perenial last place team

    Posted by lifelongsoxfan December 23, 08 05:29 PM
  1. The Sox should have been working on pitching all along anyway. Eight years is
    too long. Didn't Manny prove that?

    Posted by Joe December 23, 08 05:29 PM
  1. It would be fun if RedSox now signs Manny for 2 more years. Manny must have come to his senses now. Yankees won't take him, Dodgers withdrew the offer, Angels don't want him only other team that might go for Manny are Nationals and Orioles (Since they lost out on Tex). Interesting.

    We have Beckett, Dice-K, Lester. Hopefully Tazawa will pitch well and we need one more consistent pitcher (we have Wakefield but still need one more good pitcher). AL East should be fun this time. Three good teams and ONE top spot.

    Posted by Bob December 23, 08 05:30 PM
  1. Theo got one upped again by his counterpart in NY. What rabbit is he going to pull out of his hat now. Still no one to protect Big Papi, no catcher. Lets go get some bargain basement deals. They will be lucky to finish third or fourth.

    Posted by jimmcpuck December 23, 08 05:30 PM
  1. I am sick of the red sox losing their guy!!!!
    All over 2 million over eight years, it makes me sick. You would think everyone would be happy after 2 series championships, but the yanks continue to stick it to us. I'm just tired, so tired of this stuff........... maybe its time to switch to a different sport where monopolies don't run rampant !!!

    Posted by mike December 23, 08 05:30 PM
  1. Hey, Mikey, it's called getting the player you want but at the "right" price, which is a price you can afford. The Sox have deeper pockets than most teams but not endless streams of revenue like the Yankees appear too have. Plus, even if they did have the same amount of money as the Yankees, you can't give these guys whatever they ask for. You have to draw a line somewhere for these guys and the Sox did. I applaud them for that. Also, the Sox did not need Texeira as badly as the Yankees did. Sure, in the short term it hurts but in the long run, the Sox made the right move for them. We'll see how it all plays out next year and the years to come. I tell you what, I'd hate to be Joe Girardi, if this years team doesn't win it all. I hope he likes pressure

    Posted by pete22 December 23, 08 05:30 PM
  1. Well, surprisingly, not everyone is panicking--and they shouldn't. This is a setback, for sure, but not a world-changing one. Several folks comment--rightly so--that the Yankees are still old and still have holes. They do. Look, John Henry played a high-stakes game and he lost. I think the operative comment though was in the Heyman column that said that Teixeira revealed he favored the Yankees all along. That is stunning only because they also have A-Rod, whom he despises. Makes sense though in that it is closer to his home--I DO think that was a factor too. Anyway, it will be interesting to see what the Sox do now--go after Dunne or maybe no one. hard to think they won't pull those strings on a catcher now...

    Posted by Robert McTague December 23, 08 05:30 PM
  1. danced with the devil and lost

    Posted by hecubus December 23, 08 05:30 PM
  1. What a pile of dung. There hasn't been so much over-reacting since A-Rod didn't come to Boston (Thank God!). Will the knowledgeable fans please stand up and educate this army of neurotic pink hats. Someone needs to introduce some reason and sanity into this discussion. Teixeira is very good, but not great. The person who compared his stats to those of Youk did a great service to those who will bother to read and digest them. Tex just happened to be the biggest luminary to come onto the free agent market this year. He isn't worth the money or the years. He is worth a hefty contract, but not the amount he will be getting. Really, no one is worth that much - especially in this economy. The Sox will be fine. It's the lame-skulls who are having nervous collapses about this who need our concern. Drink some herbal tea and get some therapy. You will all feel better next October.

    Posted by 14TheClaw December 23, 08 05:30 PM
  1. The Sox should stop dealing with Boras.. We wait weeks for a decision and the Yanks can swoop in and sign him in a matter of minutes. That Sh*t isn't right

    Posted by Mark December 23, 08 05:30 PM
  1. nobody, nobody, nobody deserves to earn that kind of money for playing a game. the whole thing is totally out of control. there HAVE to be capable, tenacious players the sox can get for less money that'll make them just as competitive.

    Posted by jeff b December 23, 08 05:30 PM
  1. This shows how ridiculously selfish and money hungry players are today. He is not THAT good. We have better all around players. What has he done to win a championship - nothing! The Yankees are the yankees. Too bad the baseball 'world' can't regulate this crazy money spending. Maybe everyteam should just ask the Yankees for $150 million for there best player. Then the Yankees will always win and that';s all they care about - no questions asked!. Yea I am sarcastic but this is why I don;t watch a lot of base ball any more. Let's get more team oriented like other sports.

    Posted by RAC December 23, 08 05:31 PM
  1. The only good thing out of this is Manny will make less than $20 M a year now. How's the price of gas now?

    Posted by DG December 23, 08 05:31 PM
  1. Why is everyone crying about the Yankees getting Tex!!?? Why weren't you guys crying when the Sox bought Die-K with all that money? Why weren't you guys crying when the Sox had a three ace roation a couple of years ago? Remember Beckett, Fat boy Schilling and Dice-K in the same rotation? The fans really let the nyy fans have it that year. Deal with it. Quit talking about the evil empire this and the evil empire that, and the salary cap. It gets old. The Yanks bought Tex for 180 mil., ten more than the Sox. You mean to tell me 170 million is not a lot of money? C'mon. The Red Sox are just as bad when it comes to money. LOSERS!!

    Posted by pecosmedic December 23, 08 05:31 PM
  1. Is everyone kidding? Yeah, I wanted Teixeira as abdly as everyone, but come on!! The Sox still have Youk at first and Lowell at third. Correct me if I'm wrong, but this was a pretty successful team last year. Yeah, the Yanks have gotten better today, on paper. Now they have Gold Glovers at 1st, SS and 3rd. We have 'em at 1st, 2nd and 3rd. So they essentially evened it up, there. As for protection for Ortiz...we scored more runs per game after Manny left last year. We will be fine. Let's watch them implode next year..it'll be fun!!

    Posted by Dan December 23, 08 05:32 PM
  1. Tex is already a journeyman. Atl fans didn't like him that much. Angels fans weren't really that pissed that he wasn't re-signed. Tex fans were ambivalent when he was traded for Salty. Yanks will get the same #s they always get out of 1B - so they don't really change much. Aint no thang.

    Posted by brains outwits money December 23, 08 05:32 PM
  1. He is a very good baseball player - in no way does he make the Yankees a favorite. If you have not been wacthing team chemistry, drive and desire have been the forefront of the teams who have been winning. This is a team of vastly over-priced players designed to fill executive seats not win championships. Today is a very good day in Red Sox Nation.

    Posted by Kevin G December 23, 08 05:32 PM
  1. Look. Tex is amazing. Red sox blew it. Henry has no common sense. How can the yanks spend that much? We aren't doomed. 2010 free agency will be interesting though. Beckett, okjima, and bay are free agents then. When is pujols's contract up? We need lowe. Watch yanks get manny.

    Posted by John December 23, 08 05:32 PM
  1. I can't wait until the Yankees fans start booing Teixeira when he has his usual slow start to the season. The bad thing is he always goes on a tear after the all-star break for some reason. A-rod and Teixeira back to back is a pretty scary combo.

    Posted by Not_panicking_yet December 23, 08 05:33 PM
  1. It would be fun if RedSox now signs Manny for 2 (or probably 4) years. Manny must have come to his senses now. Yankees won't take him, Dodgers withdrew the offer, Angels don't want him only other team that might go for Manny are Nationals and Orioles (Since they lost out on Tex). Interesting.

    We have Beckett, Dice-K, Lester. Hopefully Tazawa will pitch well and we need one more consistent pitcher (we have Wakefield but still need one more good pitcher). AL East should be fun this time. Three good teams and ONE top spot.

    Posted by Bob December 23, 08 05:33 PM
  1. When Mark Teixeira was up at bat during the Angels/RedSox series did anyone watching the game at home say " OMG Mark Teixeira is up at bat"? The answer is no. I never understood why the sox would want to pursue this over hyped slugger. Run up that Yankee payroll so we can steal the real talent next year. A certain batting champion from MN.

    Posted by Roger From Brownsburg December 23, 08 05:33 PM
  1. OMG...Yesterday, sox fans loved this guy, today he is an average 1st basemen. Stop crying for god's sakes. It's not like the Sox have not overpaid for anyone, Drew, DiceK, Lugo, Tek (again)... It makes the battle between the Sox/Yanks even better. he played the Sox to get what he wanted from the Yanks, who can blame him

    Posted by Manny Ramirez December 23, 08 05:33 PM
  1. The sox pitching will be better this year and I hope yanks sign the quitter also. It will make victory that much sweeter in 09.Go sox go!!!!

    Posted by John Stoddart December 23, 08 05:34 PM
  1. The sox pitching will be better this year and I hope yanks sign the quitter also. It will make victory that much sweeter in 09.Go sox go!!!!

    Posted by John Stoddart December 23, 08 05:34 PM
  1. haven't the yankees learned anythiing?? you dont win by spending money. you win by devolping young talent and good chemistry. Tex will be just another high priced, over rated, playoff flop.

    Posted by alexio sumos December 23, 08 05:35 PM
  1. Common sense did prevail. What number is on the back of Tex' uniform? His idol is Don Mattingly. As smart Red Sox fans, we should hav e seen this coming.

    Posted by BuckshotVT December 23, 08 05:35 PM
  1. If the Sox were willing to offer $160m-$170m, what’s another $10m, it sucks not getting Tex, hurts even more that he went to the Skanks.

    Posted by Ryan December 23, 08 05:35 PM
  1. This is just another reason that the "pink hats" are bringing down the Red Sox. These yuppie morons will pay any amount of money for any Red Sox thing and the team knows this, they will sell out that disaster known as Fenway Park every game no matter what so why spend money on the team when you can just line your pockets with it. This is just another reason I have slowly started to hate the Red Sox and MLB in general. Until the fans say screw you to the team this type of crap will continue to happen. I hope CC blows out his shoulder, Teixiera tears an ACL and we all know that stiff Burnett WILL be on the 60 day DL at some point in say JUNE. F U Red Sox and FU you pink hat wearing losers.

    Posted by Jeb37 December 23, 08 05:35 PM
  1. If I were the owner I WOULD NOT pay 180 Mill for 8 years to this guy. Sorry.. now way no how. He's a great defensive first baseman but his batting isn't worth180 mil. Sign a decent pitcher and let's go back out there with the team we have. We were one game away from the WS last time I checked.

    All I've seen the Yanks do the last 8 years is buy great players that have not made a great team. TEAM people.. TEAM. The Rays were an AWESOME TEAM last year and they kicked arse.
    I aint losing sleep over this.. Far as I know.. the Red Sox brought the price up on the Yanks who won't be able to do squat next years free agent market.

    I'm kinda upset but again not losing sleep over this.

    Posted by Fracesco Renaldi December 23, 08 05:36 PM
  1. I don't know why everyone is surprised that he signed with the Yankees. They waited until all the serious contenders dropped out save the Red Sox (they never really dropped out despite what Henry said last week). Boras once again played everyone for fools. We should have known something was up when the Angels dropped out of the bidding. Texiera was a key piece in protecting Vlad Guerriero. For them to drop out mean't they knew he wanted either NY or Boston and since we wouldn't go to $180M, he was there for taking. The Red Sox will be hard pressed to make the playoffs after this assuming Tampa continues to grow and build. Better look to deal some of that young pitching for a Ryan Howard or some other stud.

    Posted by PatsFan December 23, 08 05:36 PM
  1. WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO ALL THAT TALK BY RESL SOX FANS THAT 2004 WAS ENOUGH TO LAST A LIFE TIME. AS A SOX FAN I AM THRILLED WE BEAT THEIR PANTS OFF IN 2004 AND THEN THE SOX COME BACK AND GIVE US 2007. KEEP THE FAITH WILL YA AS IT IS WHAT MAKES US WHO WE ARE AS A TEAM. pERSONALLY I THINK THE FO SHOULD STOP DEALING WITH ANY BALLPLAYER WHO HAS BORAS AS AN AGENT. U THINK WHEN ELLSBURY TURN COMES AROUND WILL BE ANY DIFFERENT.? SOME TEAMS HAVE TO STEP UP HERE. GO SOX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Posted by ALLTHEWAYSOX December 23, 08 05:36 PM
  1. It obviously would've been great to get him, but I'm pretty sure the Sox didn't have him, CC or Burnett last year and were damn close to the World Series with Lowell injured and Ortiz not playing like Ortiz. Sox roughed up CC two years ago in the playoffs, Texiera hit well in the past playoffs but the Angels still lost to the Sox and Burnett is always injured...I'm not too worried.

    Posted by Joe December 23, 08 05:36 PM
  1. HEY HEY HEY GUYS,don't forget that winning it's all about Chemistry,Sox have it,Yanks don't,we will make a couple of smart moves and will win it all again !

    Yankees Suck !!!!!

    Posted by Carlos December 23, 08 05:36 PM
  1. I remember saying in Dec '03, after A-Rod signed with the Yanks, that I wouldn't bother watching anymore because I figured the Yanks had it wrapped up. Guess what? I did watch and we won in '04. 5 years later, and we're in the same boat. Guess what? This time I'll still watch the games...on HD. And I'm betting the Yanks STILL won't win it. You CAN'T buy championships!

    Posted by Tim from West Brookfield December 23, 08 05:36 PM
  1. Four highest players in the game all on the Yankees infield on opening day, think of that.

    Posted by RJ December 23, 08 05:36 PM
  1. I can't believe JOHN HENRY and THEO let this happen!!!!! I hope they know what they are doing? But just the thought of the DAM STANKEES getting us again. I say good riddence to Jason Varitek we can't do any deals with greedy agents and players. I will cancel my MLB package for sure!! Now we have to build up the bullpen and one more good starter and get us a good catcher. If i heard right Bucholtz had a bad second half in Arizona, trade him for a catcher!!!!!!! We will be going to a lot of minor league games this upcoming year.

    Posted by Tom Marshall December 23, 08 05:37 PM
  1. This is just another reason that the "pink hats" are bringing down the Red Sox. These yuppie morons will pay any amount of money for any Red Sox thing and the team knows this, they will sell out that disaster known as Fenway Park every game no matter what so why spend money on the team when you can just line your pockets with it. This is just another reason I have slowly started to hate the Red Sox and MLB in general. Until the fans say screw you to the team this type of crap will continue to happen. I hope CC blows out his shoulder, Teixiera tears an ACL and we all know that stiff Burnett WILL be on the 60 day DL at some point in say JUNE. F U Red Sox and FU you pink hat wearing losers.

    Posted by Jeb37 December 23, 08 05:37 PM
  1. The Yankees get what they deserve. Three overpriced egomaniacs to go with A-Rod, the clutch. Girardi will be gone next year when the Yanks don't win again.

    Posted by Tom Miller December 23, 08 05:38 PM
  1. The guy just looks like a Yankee doesn't he? Could never see him in a Sox uniform. Once again just trying to buy a championship. If it works they'll get no respect because all they did was throw insane amounts of money at an incompetent organization. But think how incredibly sweet it will be if it doesn't work out. Imagine the deafening roar of the Fenway faithful as A-Rod and Tex whiff or pop out back to back. I can't wait. Kudos to Sox management for not draining all our cash. Other opportunities will come up and we've still got money to spend.

    Posted by Phil December 23, 08 05:38 PM
  1. So let's get this straight....Boston fans believe

    Boston offers 160 Million - great for Boston
    NY offers 180 million - Yankees are greedy, they are the reason the economy is in the toilet, why people can't eat at Christmas, why baseball is unfair, why you won't watch baseball again.

    Remember me. Because it will happen again.

    Posted by aaronboone December 23, 08 05:38 PM
  1. The guy just looks like a Yankee doesn't he? Could never see him in a Sox uniform. Once again just trying to buy a championship. If it works they'll get no respect because all they did was throw insane amounts of money at an incompetent organization. But think how incredibly sweet it will be if it doesn't work out. Imagine the deafening roar of the Fenway faithful as A-Rod and Tex whiff or pop out back to back. I can't wait. Kudos to Sox management for not draining all our cash. Other opportunities will come up and we've still got money to spend.

    Posted by Phil December 23, 08 05:38 PM
  1. Honestly, most people already know about the age 27 thing in Baseball. Most players have their peak season at that point. Teixiera, while he is a great player and will probably put up good numbers for a while, has already past that age. Why pay a ridiculous salary to someone already past their absolute prime? I understand that he will be good, but the Red Sox have probably made a wise decision in sticking to their limit of whatever they thought he was worth. Let the Yanks try and buy a World Series again, heck, even a playoff berth would be good after last year's debacle! Look at the Rays, they made the World Series without breaking the bank. The Twins are always in it and they're a small market team. The Red Sox have a good grip of what's going on and while they missed out on their main guy this year, I think they'll benefit in the long run from not signing him. Pitching wins Championships and as far as that goes, I think they're pretty evenly matched with the Yankees.

    Posted by Hywel Brown December 23, 08 05:38 PM
  1. I'm glad that money-seeking player will not wear the Red Sox uniform!
    I hope he will regret what he did sometime soon.

    Posted by jm December 23, 08 05:39 PM
  1. I just hate that its over a few million dollars, I understand losing him over 20 or 30 million.

    Posted by mike December 23, 08 05:39 PM
  1. Most of you are a bunch of Band Wagon morons. Get off and stay off! The Sox have the pitchers (4 potential Cy Young winners) and offense ( 2009 #1 and #3 in MVP voting and the 2007 WS MVP) to win several more WS, they are young and have a great farm system and the best manager in baseball. Plus Manny is gone! Sign Lowe, keep the Japan pipeline open and watch the Yanks go down in a financial nightmare. Jeter is old, A-job is over rated, their coach sucks and does not have a clue on how to manage a bunch of ego maniacs, Sabathis is fat and will never last 2 years.

    No Worries, GO SOX!

    Posted by Maddog SLC UT December 23, 08 05:39 PM
  1. Cry me a river Sox fans...You would have all been singing a different tune if they signed Tex.

    The Yankees eliminated 88 million dollars from last year to this year, and even with all the Yankee moves this year, they may actually have a lower payroll than last year.

    Bottom line, the Yankees make the most money, they spend the most money. This just proves they will do what it takes to be a championship team.

    You paid 50 million just to enter negotiations with Matsuzaka, and you gave Manny 160 million for 8 years, 8 years ago. What's the difference?

    Posted by 162-0 December 23, 08 05:39 PM
  1. Can't buy chemistry!! The Tigers found that out last year! You know what I applaud the sox management for not signing this guy to a 8 year contract. He has never even sniffed an MVP! I'm still rolling with the Sox and our guys(who only missed out on the World Series by 1 game) and I'm not going to sit here and cry like the other drama queens on this board! It's not the end of the world! The Yanks have finally dumped some dead weight and they are re-loading....did you expect them to do something else?????

    Posted by Trevski December 23, 08 05:39 PM
  1. Mike lowel is going to have a STELLA year and Youk will win another gold glove! So how could we squeeze this guy in anyway? Yankees are trying to buy a championship so good luck I hope they can all stay healthy and most of all get along with that ego prideful all about me self centered AROD. hahahaha Tex will be miserable! I hope they take Manny too then we can fill fenway to laugh them back to NY with a big loss.

    Posted by Chris December 23, 08 05:40 PM
  1. I wonder now how much money the Red Sox really have. I wonder if John Henry's losses in hedge funds, etc., have gotten to the point where they are impeding the team's ability to be competitive against the Yankees and the other monied teams. We can take small comfort in the thought that the Yankees are going to pay one heckuva luxury tax this year.

    I don't think Burnett or Sabathia were worth that much money, and it's possible that everyone was willing to overpay for Tex. Still, everyone is nervous because the Sox have no legit cleanup hitter, but a number of legit 5-hole hitters in Lowell, Bay and Drew. Well, let's see who's down on the farm and see who may become available through a trade or free agency next year. It will be interesting.

    I refuse to panic, btw. I am an old-timer who cried in 2004 and thought that 2007 was just gravy. Maybe my expectations are so low because I lived through all the bad years, including 1966!!! The Sox will still be exciting and competitive. Looking forward to the warm weather and spring training. Still

    Posted by summerof67 December 23, 08 05:40 PM
  1. ARE WE the tax payers going to have to BAIL OUT the YANKS when all their brillant moves TANK....ARE THEY CRAZY ...TWO OVERPAID LONG term question mark PITCHERS and ONE OVERPAID not to mention overated hitter...one RBI in ALCS series last fall CLUTCH..go TANKS

    Posted by p alix December 23, 08 05:41 PM
  1. this really pisses me off. I was fine with sabathia and burnett (because they were NOT worth the $$) but this...this angers me greatly. we lose one of our best players EVER with manny and get jack **** in the offseason. flippin fantastic. time to get drunk.

    Posted by Angry Sox Fan December 23, 08 05:41 PM
  1. They have no farm system...their stars get hurt because they're older and they have nothing to fall back on...the pressure will be great for them...I still like our guys because they're a team first, not a bunch of superstars...will be sweet to see Yanks finish second again...third would be glorious!

    Posted by Dennis December 23, 08 05:41 PM
  1. instead of looking at the bad of everything, look at the good. we still have a solid lineup that took us to the ALCS with injuries last year. a healthier team will only produce a better outcome. lester, dice, becks, masterson will kill the rotation. papi, jd, pedey, youk, bay will drop 20+ hr's, 85+ rbi's...
    i'm seeing us contending and doing a hell of a job of it. plus, think of lars anderson in the future. he is gonna be better than teixeira.
    we can sit back and complain or we can laugh at the yanks when we beat them this year because nearly half a billion dollars in three guys aren't gonna do anything.

    Posted by greg2009 December 23, 08 05:41 PM
  1. You know, when I first saw the Yankees got Texiera, I felt sick to my stomach. Now, I kinda agree with the notion that you can't give these guys everything that they want. We gave Manny Ramirez the sun, the stars and the moon and he still hated Boston enough to dog it and make a disgrace out of himself in the end. Keep the money, sign Beckett to an extension, give Youk a good deal, find a catcher and sign Lowe and we're in good shape. This is not the end people...keep the faith our lineup is still pretty damn good!

    Posted by beth December 23, 08 05:41 PM
  1. Believe this is positive for the Red Sox--TeX wasn't worth the doe--Lets use the savings from Texeira to pin down Youk and Jason Bay with long term contracts and use the rest to sign another starting pitcher--

    Yanks still have many holes and are now universally looked at as the evil empire--

    Sox are still in great shape--BOSOX

    Posted by Jay December 23, 08 05:42 PM
  1. i'm ok with it. look how well A-fraud has worked out for them.

    Posted by gsl December 23, 08 05:42 PM
  1. Somehow the Sox get lucky and these things seem to work out (A-Fraud, Contreas, Pavano) but this time I doubt they'll be so lucky. Ortiz is hurt and will never be the same. Lowell as well. We needed Tex more than any other team due to no other free agents coming for a few years and those two bats fading. 3rd place, here we come.

    Man, it's going to stink when the Pats, Celts and Bruins seasons are over and we have to sit and watch the Sox battle the Rays and other teams for a Wild Card. Huge mistake by Sox management.

    Most frustrating part is that it seems as though the Sox wasted so much time, effort and these stupid sites kept on reporting, "Sox as Front runner" only to have the Yanks coe in last minute and close the deal.

    Posted by Jimmy December 23, 08 05:42 PM
  1. Told ya so!

    Why did the poll on boston.com show fewer than 18% of the respondents thought this would happen?

    Wake up RedSox Nation.

    The Yankees were pissed that they missed the playoffs.

    Posted by Temen December 23, 08 05:43 PM
  1. Hey Sox fans--sour grapes on you guys. Remember that you had your chance and tried to call Boras' bluff. You lost Damon that way too. Stop the crying and get on your management to do a better job. Tex was should have been wrapped up last week.

    Posted by Rich December 23, 08 05:43 PM
  1. So what's #&^$@! Plan B, Henry?

    Posted by Gary P December 23, 08 05:43 PM
  1. he same people complaining about the Yankees spending money don't say a word when the Red Sox buy people like Ortiz, Martinez, Drew, Matsuzaka, Ramirez and Beckett. All the teams try to buy people if they can. If the other owners had the Yankees resources they would do the same. Ergo, don't criticize the Yankees for doing what everyone in baseball would do.
    RedSoxRule, um how did the Sawx win there rings....Damon (kc) Manny (cleveland) becket (marlins) ortiz (twins) shall we go on....did boston not buy theirs...schilling (philly via dbacks) lowell (yanks via marlins) how quickly we forget huh???? You guys are the biggest bunch of whining world has ever known.

    Posted by ejflex December 23, 08 05:43 PM
  1. Yeah, big deal...so the Yankee infield has Teixera, Cano, Jeter, and A-Rod...we've got some AWESOME new uniforms!

    Just exactly where does all the Bosox revenue go, since their stadium was paid for 70 years ago, and their payroll is, what, half of NY's? Hmm...sounds like the Bosox fans are just a wee bit getting taken advantage of.

    Posted by Jason December 23, 08 05:44 PM
  1. Reportedly, Teixeira has had a long standing antipathy to the Red Sox dating back to the days when he was seeking a signing bonus out of high school. He has previously indicated his animosity toward Boston. It's likely he never wanted to come to the Sox and he and Boras used them to drive up the price for his services. He seems a better fit in the Bronx than Back Bay. Let's get Derek Lowe and maybe Rocco Baldelli for the fourth outfield position. The Sox will be much better off with a healthy Mike Lowell, another proven starter, and a power threat right hand bat off the bench. Let the inflated egos collide in the new Yankee stadium. It will be fun to have Jason Bay for a whole season, and I say Varitek should be brought back for two years while the team grooms his replacement. Ask the pitching staff if they don't think this is important.

    Posted by 14TheClaw December 23, 08 05:44 PM
  1. Ya that's it Sux's fans " we didn't want him any way" your screwed, your team is horrible, Yanks are far superior team, since Ortiz has come off the juice your team stinks, HA HA, your screwed.

    Posted by DJ December 23, 08 05:44 PM
  1. I hope the NYT and the NY daily rags get up in arms about taxpayer money going to the Yankees to fund this approach to building and organization.

    It would be so cool to successfully have a complete boycott of the first Yankee game at Fenway next year - buy all the tickets and then nobody show up at all.

    Posted by sircharles December 23, 08 05:44 PM
  1. I say FINE...BRING HIM ON!!! I don't think he would fit in the Red Sox clubhouse anyway...they just got rid of one big ego and pain in the butt, so why pick up another expensive one?

    Posted by Nancy December 23, 08 05:45 PM
  1. My brother-in-law, who is a Yankee fan, recently lost his job in these tough economic times... he has three kids. This Red Sox fan is still employed (thank God) and planning on enjoying a great Christmas with his family. Mark Teixeira, or for that matter the whole Yankee organization, won't be bailing my brother-in-law out this Christmas, although it appears they have the money to do so. If I happen to get into financial trouble I wouldn't expect the Red Sox to bail me out, but if I were a Yankee fan I would be expecting a piece of the pie by now. I'm not talking a World Series title; I'd be expecting a check in mail.

    Posted by Cincinnatus December 23, 08 05:45 PM
  1. OK, Goliath has been cast. Hey Theo - make us David again!

    Posted by HereWeGo December 23, 08 05:45 PM
  1. Go Yankees!!! Sabathia, Burnett and now Teixeira - should be a good year.

    Posted by HW December 23, 08 05:45 PM
  1. I think everyone here who is crying over this has bought into the Media Hype about Teixeira. Here are some numbers for you:

    Mark Teixeira .290 avg 36 HR 121 RBI career averages = $20million this year
    Jason Bay .282 avg 31 HR 103 RBI career averages = $8million this year

    And Bay played for some horrible teams in Pittsburgh which affected his totals.
    So just relax, the Yankees just greatly overpaid for a solid ballplayer, not a great one.

    Posted by batcave1963 December 23, 08 05:45 PM
  1. I'm glad we didn't get Teixeira!! I couldn't stand the thought of losing Mike Lowell and moving Youk to third just to fit him in. Spend the money elsewhere, another big bat at outfield or more pitching makes more sense to me!! Aloha from a lifelong sox fan in Hawaii!!!!

    Posted by jim cyr December 23, 08 05:45 PM
  1. Ok, I hope the Evil Empire goes under. Good Riddens.
    I have a possible solution for getting a bat. Huston Astros has said they want to move Miguel Tejada, with that said lets trade Lugo and some cash and get this guy . Ya he's probably just past his prime but the guy has a good bat and plays short as good as anybody.

    Posted by Joe December 23, 08 05:46 PM
  1. I guess this is where all the Red Sox Losers gather, I mean you can just smell the stench in here! Quit your whining you had a chance to get any of the starts the Yankee's did and you all got out played! This is why Red Sox fans you should be neither seen nor heard!

    Posted by Keith Santos December 23, 08 05:46 PM
  1. Let him go to New York. Tex's a nice guy and a good ballplayer, but those whispers from others about not being a "winner"... let's just say he'll find a soulmate in the Bronx with Mr. A-Fraud.
    For all that cash, we'll have homegrown, reliable pitching. They'll get a pitcher is 18 months away from developing bad knees from lugging around three bills and change, A.J. "DL-shoulder problem" Burnett and Mark ".225 with six homers and 31 RBIs on June 3rd" Teixeira.

    Posted by Swamp Sox December 23, 08 05:46 PM
  1. Hey Bud Selig: I'm done with MLB! What's the point of following a non-competitive league.

    This is a joke. I can't wait for the Yanks to sign Matt Holiday next year. The Yanks are the Harlem Globetrotters, the other 29 teams are the Washington Generals!

    Oh & John Henry - I'm done with NESN as well you cheap bastard!

    Posted by Sportnik December 23, 08 05:46 PM
  1. Scott Boras needs to be stopped!!! Disgusting.

    But will All-Star after All-Star mean team chemistry???

    Hhhhmmmmmmmm

    Posted by dudethissucks December 23, 08 05:47 PM
  1. He wanted to be a Yankee all along. The Yankees are BACK!

    Posted by Rome December 23, 08 05:48 PM
  1. Even more of a reason to see why people, especially athletes, hate Boston.

    Posted by richard December 23, 08 05:50 PM
  1. The Yankees haven't won a WS in years by following the philosophy of overpaying star free agents and assembling a "roster" but not a "team" (Giambi, Mussina, Sheffield, Brown, Pavano....). Hank and Hal haven't learned a thing from the old man's impulse buying. The Yankees will not pass the Sox or the Rays next year. Please - trust Theo and stop the wailing!

    Posted by JC December 23, 08 05:51 PM
  1. I have seen it so many times,where you have an Allstar team facing a bunch of scrapy guys that play well together and the allstars get beat.

    "THE FACE OF OUR TEAM IS PEDROIA"

    GO SOX !

    Posted by Carlos December 23, 08 05:51 PM
  1. what happened to all that talk about wanting to go to a winning team?

    Posted by eric December 23, 08 05:51 PM
  1. Calm down, Red Sox Nation... The Yankees HAD to be this aggressive, just to get on par with the Sox and the Rays. They still have no real farm system. Yes, they got better, but imagine the pressure. They HA VE to win the WS now, otherwise Cashman, Girardi, et. al. will be marched out to the guillotine. Don't worry, Sox will still be very competitive and we can always root for the Rays to beat the Yankees.

    Posted by jcnhwildcat December 23, 08 05:52 PM
  1. issue is that the Yanks are willing to spend the money they make while some aren't.

    Posted by stew December 23, 08 05:53 PM
  1. Tex never wanted to come here. He used the Sox, Angels, O's and Nationals to drive up the price AND was hoping that the Yanks would swoop in and bail them out. Boras/Tex never had any other offers. When a guy takes this long to make a decision, he doesn't want to play for the teams trying to sign him. Same thing with CC. He was hoping the Angels would "save him" from the Yanks but in the end they wouldn't so he had to take the Yanks money. The best X-Mas present the Sox could give us now is to NOT sign Varitek. What in insult. He's terrible and not worth any money at all. Just don't sign anyone or maybe Lowe at cheap money (if possible). By mid-season, we'll be trading Bucholtz to the A's for Holliday. You watch. Crazy Baseball. Go Bruins! Go Celtics! Go Pats!

    Posted by Jimmy December 23, 08 05:53 PM
  1. what happened to all that talk about wanting to go to a winning team?

    Posted by eric December 23, 08 05:53 PM
  1. The Yankees have proven time and time again that a high dollar payroll does not always mean a great team capable of a 162 game season.

    I've seen Teixeira in erson and I was not that impressed. His numbers seem good but.... $180 mil good? I dunno.

    I don't think he is as big of an impact player as everyone is making him out to be. We'll see.

    No big woop, IMHO.


    Posted by guido December 23, 08 05:53 PM
  1. It's typical of the Yankees to do this. Last year they say they want to win with their young guys. All of a sudden they don't go to the playoffs and they go on a spending spree. Someone needs to inform the Yankees that it takes more than a year to mold young pitchers...look at Tampa Bay. What are they going to do if they don't win the World Series?

    Posted by Rob F. December 23, 08 05:54 PM
  1. Well the price of gas was up and so was Manny's, but the beautiful thing about this is we all know Manny's not going to get paid for laying down on the sox. So with that said I think the sox should offer Manny a ridiculous offer just to insult him.

    Posted by Joe December 23, 08 05:54 PM
  1. Go SOX! YOU FRIGGIN" WINERS just don't get it! Go back to your jobs and let the people who brought you TWO W.S.C.'s and shut up. They know what they are doing. Go operate on yourself, you so so damned much! I hope you look at yourselves in the mirror when you are cheering our boys on this year as they roll! Stupid people!

    Posted by RallyC December 23, 08 05:54 PM
  1. Get rid of Lowell

    Posted by rtb December 23, 08 05:56 PM
  1. What's plan B, C, D, etc....??? Hopefully Theo and his posse will shed some light soon otherwise we'll be competing for 3rd in the A.L. with the jays.

    Posted by disgruntled fan of the nation December 23, 08 05:56 PM
  1. The problem for John Henry is that he could not shoe-horn 5,000 more seats into a sardine can. Mr. Henry is well aware of his fan base and would have loved to have signed Teixiera but not at the cost of raising ticket prices and hearing the screams. Loving Fenway is one thing but there is only so much revenue to be generated in an antiquated ballpark. John Henry should not be blamed for not signing Mark Teixiera.

    Posted by Jim December 23, 08 05:56 PM
  1. Amen to Ken in Sarasota
    I like that Hanley Ramirez trade ( I heard talk about a possibility weeks ago on ESPN but nothing since) and would not be surprised if that's been in the works all along. I thought then that I'd like it alot better than Teixiera and still do.
    A turn here, a wedge there, and the Sox are back in BIG business.

    Posted by BobF December 23, 08 05:56 PM
  1. Hasn't anyone read/heard what Teixeira has said, he made it known his preference was the Yankees all along. That's why they sat in the background. Salary cap, doesn't matter, they already pay the highest "tax" in MLB. It all depends on if the "office"/owners want to pocket the money or reinvest the monies in the product of their clubs, i.e. players. Most owners choose to pocket the money. Those choosing to spend the profits back into the players can reap the fortunes. Any club can benefit from the profit sharing if they reinvest the money in the players.

    Posted by ippster December 23, 08 05:57 PM
  1. Did we want a guy who can't even spell his own name?

    We all know that i comes before e but this guy got it wrong twice and put i before e after T and X. What's with that?

    Anyway, they really wanted Manny back and now they can go after him again,

    Posted by Tim from CT December 23, 08 05:57 PM
  1. AL East 2009 Standings
    NY win east by 12 games
    TB
    BAL
    TOR
    BOS 27 games back/take another 10 years to be a contender again/perhaps win one in series with Yanks
    Management needs to get their heads out of sand and make the gutsy deals.

    Posted by Done 4 December 23, 08 05:58 PM
  1. OMG WHAT WENT WRONG WE NEED TO GET MANNY BACK SOON BEFORE WE ALL AT SOX NATION PANIC WE WANT MANNY ...WE WANY MANNY... WE WANT MANNY BACK NOW,,,,,,,, HURRY THEO

    Posted by RD December 23, 08 05:58 PM
  1. Nearly one-half billion dollars for three players. Stunning. More than sport. More than business. Rather a view into the stinking bile of athletics. Stunning.

    Posted by Tex Leaguer December 23, 08 05:58 PM
  1. He would have looked good in a Sox uniform but let's not get carried away. It's not the end of our world or the begining of a new Yankee dynesty. Obviously Boston was never the place he wanted to be...So what? We can do better playing the game with a group of guys who do want to be here!

    Posted by Barry December 23, 08 05:58 PM
  1. I'm with Sportnik .......... I've had enough.

    Posted by Mfd38 December 23, 08 05:58 PM
  1. knew from Day 1 the yankees would sign this overhyped Boras puppet. How do people get sucked into this nonsense all the time.. The Yankees needed a 1st baseman , they were going to get him no matter what the cost. Why do we even deal with this Boras arrogant, pompous human being. Go after lower cost, character, good ball players (Mike Lowell, Pedroia, Youk). That is how the Red Sox will continue to beat the Yankees.

    Posted by mf December 23, 08 05:58 PM
  1. why is everyone upset at the sox management?
    it's tex's choice where he wants to go, and he said that he wanted to be with the yankees all along. so even if the sox give him a better deal, chances are he would still decline it.
    but who cares where he goes anways, i never thought he was that great of a player, and the yankees will never have a "true" team anyway.
    (and if you noticed, his avg at fenway stinks)

    Posted by kel December 23, 08 05:58 PM
  1. Since I grew up in the Bronx and as an avid Yankee Fan, I love to read the Boston Papers - when the Sox lose" I just couldn't resist! This Blog is hilarious!

    Posted by Chris December 23, 08 05:58 PM
  1. I was very VERY upset when I first found out about this, but after a little while of calming down I can see that the Sox can use the money to fill the holes elsewhere. Sign Lowe or Sheets, get Tek and perhaps Salty, 4th outfielder hopefully with some pop, and maybe a good bullpen pitcher. Besides, I'm glad that Lowell gets to stay on the team. I like him, he has a soul unlike the dickcheese known as Teixeira. Oops...there goes my anger again!

    Posted by Cinco Ocho December 23, 08 05:59 PM
  1. Look at Youk's numbers this past year. he has virtually the same offensive output, for one quarter of the dollars. I know this seems like we let one get away, but in the long run, I think it will be considered a shrewd "NON-move" by Theo, John Henry and co. Boras is lucky he still has Steinbrenner mentality in NY, but as many of you have said, for NY it's an accumulation of talent, not the building of a "TEAM". Belichick said the same thing when we let Lawyer Milloy leave. I think the Sox are being smart with this one....

    Posted by poteat December 23, 08 05:59 PM
  1. I love the Sox, and guess what, enough is enough with the crying. Teams win baseball games and the season is long. I agree with management, have a plan, stick to it & tweak it from time to time. 8 years of a contract is way too long & a no trade clause a pain to deal with it.
    Let's see what happens to teh Yanks over the next years but there are no freee rides in life. Meanwhile, let's enjoy the game, root for the Sox and it is not a life or death decision. texira is good but not worth that money.

    Posted by Ivan Galvis December 23, 08 05:59 PM
  1. I have been saying all along to my friends that the Yankees were going to grab him. I was laughed at when I said the same thing about A-Rod before he even left Texas. I look at it this way if the spineless owners and worthless commissioner want baseball to be this way, then so be it. I enjoy watching Baseball and if the Sox do not make the WS, then Oh Well. The Sox will be plenty Competitive and will be fun to watch. I am not one who thinks the Sox-Yanks series is great, and I rarely watch a game between them. They should get the crazy man next and then Lowe.

    Posted by Flytyer December 23, 08 05:59 PM
  1. Nobody blew anything! Not Henry or Theo the jerk just wanted that extra year and 10 million for these hard times to come. The RedSox will be fine and last time I checked neither CC or play for contract AJ ever do anything when it counts. Now they have 3 regular season A- Frauds. Chin up RedSox Nation.

    Posted by Brandon December 23, 08 06:01 PM
  1. Funny thing - The rest of the baseball fan's across the country just do not understand us Red Sox fans. As far as they are concerned our budget is endless. When compared to the Yankees, we are always living on the wrong side of the tracks. We really cannot complete if $$$ is the only driver. Just wish the Yankees could spend 10 years in someone else's division - then they could understand why it's easy not to the Yanks.
    Keeping this simple - I think Teixeira never wanted to ball in Boston - EVER. I think he still holds a grudge against the organization that dates back to the HS draft negotiations. The Red Sox # was being leveraged all along in my opinion.
    Spend some money to bring Lowe back and get Orlando Hudson to play 2B, Petey to SS use Julio as sub infielder until we can make a trade that gets us something.

    Posted by Jim960 December 23, 08 06:01 PM
  1. Wa Wa WA, nonny nonny boo boo, cry cry cry, baby why why why?????????????

    Posted by Red Socked December 23, 08 06:01 PM
  1. get over it! Now lets go get Derek Lowe ! A proven winner in the post season!JG

    Posted by JG December 23, 08 06:02 PM
  1. Come on, folks. Oh ye of little faith.
    Money money money doeth not a championship make. Look at the Tampa Bay Rays! Theo and JH know very well what they're doing.

    Posted by Al December 23, 08 06:02 PM
  1. Bravo to the Sox for sticking to their guns and not overpaying!

    And for those of you who question the Sox policy, just remember that policy has resulted in 2 championships in the past 4 years.

    Posted by JimR December 23, 08 06:02 PM
  1. Whatever.
    I'm so sick of greedy athletes - no matter what their skill. I mean really. Was it the money or the chance to win? Sounds like just another spoiled A-hole. With people losing their homes and losing jobs and this little man can't decide between 160 or 180 million. How much is enough?
    Just look at all the money the yanks have invested over the last several years. And the number of Word Series they've won? ZERO.
    Tex said he wanted to go someplace committed to winning. Well, Tex, we won in 04 and -07, yanks haven't won anything.
    so go have fun in the big Apple. And be sure to have a nice comfy place to watch the World Series from - 'cause you ain't goin!

    Posted by RAD December 23, 08 06:02 PM
  1. I couldn't be happier, i have said all along Teixeira is a fraud and he will prove me right. The Sox should stay the course and build within. Pitching wins !!!!
    When are people going to listen. We have it and the Yankees signed 2 stiffs who have shown they cannot win the big games.

    Posted by Ken December 23, 08 06:02 PM
  1. I don't believe that the Red Sox ownership can be faulted. The Red Sox were never going to get him. All Boras did was attempt to extract the highest bid from the other teams to set the price for the Yankees. Tex wanted to go to the Yankess all along, and this was NOT a fair negotiation. I believe that is what John Henry meant be his email on Thursday night. The biggest loser in all of this is Manny because he simply doesn't have a big market with Tex going to the Yankees. The only interested parties would be the Dodgers, and maybe the Angels and Phillies. However, he will not get anywhere near the pay day he thought he was going to get as a free agent. Frankly, I don't know where the Red Sox go from here. I would suggest going after Derek Lowe, but I don't know if the Red Sox brass want to deal with Boras after today's double dealing.

    Posted by Tony December 23, 08 06:03 PM
  1. Red Sox fans need to get over yourselves. You love the guy when you think you're about to sign him, preordering your jerseys before they are ready. Then the guy says 'he wants to be a Yankee' and you call cry foul. Some lines i read:

    "Overpaid for overrated 1B/DH"
    12M is overpaying for a superior defensive guy. You guys wanted to move the gold glove winner at 1B for this guy!!! Seriously!!

    "Yankees ask for tax exempt bonds"
    So we spent money and asked for more city money. Give me a team who hasn't financed their ballpark that way? If its out there, which team wouldn't ask for it. Get over it, it's the way the business works and any econmic person would tell you this. Hell the article mentions the Mets too, but we can't mention that here since after all, that would deflate the story.

    I've determined Red Sox fans are just bitter. You are happy when something big is about to happen, and then when it doesn't pan out, you cry wolf. Get over yourselves, we made a good business move end of story. You wanted him, you lost, end of story.

    Posted by Yankee Player December 23, 08 06:03 PM
  1. This was BS all along, the Red Sox pulling the Yankees along to make another huge contract offer to a free agent, there's gotta be an angle for the Red Sox to have let the Yankees do this. People are saying that Texiera was just in it for the Yankees all along and was just waiting for them to pop in to the race. What does this show, well it shows all the teams that couldn't afford a big free agent this winter that the only thing a free agent will be loyal to is money, it lets the players know that even if every single owner hates Scott Boras, his overpricing will be tolerated and thus continued throughout. It gives the Red Sox a re-found vigor into hating the Yankees, something I long missed during these past few years as the rivalry seemed dispassionate to say the least. And I love all you Yankees fans out there that are going to gloat, because what did you really get, sure you had two good free agent signings this winter, the Wang 1 year 5 million contract and the Texiera one, because he's a great young player. But the rest is terrible, A J Burnett for 82.5 million is a joke, this guy has been pitching for nearly 10 years and he posts a measly 87-76 record and he's never been an ERA leader, and remember Yankee Stadium is a hitter friendly park, unlike Toronto and hes always been prone to the longball. C.C. Sabathia, sure he's a young guy but he's the worst active starter in Postseason History(having pitched at least 25 innings, its not like he hasnt pitched that much) and the Yankees desperately needed a horse for that regard, he also happens to be horrible against the Red Sox, both in the Regular and Postseason, hes got a good fastball but the Red Sox sport some of the best fastball hitters in the game. You also should be aware that C.C. pitched a lot of innings last year, and that Joe Girardi has never been good with pitching management, after all how many pitchers went down last year? You can say it was bad luck but that bad luck loves to follow Girardi everywhere. Remember, the Yankees actually needed Texiera, but it took goading from the Red Sox for them to actually throw down the money so what does that say to you. The Yankees are already starting to follow the blueprint the Red Sox laid down for their farm system, the one that produced Youkilis Lester Papelbon, Masterson, Pedroia etc. Looks like whatever move the Red Sox make, the Yankees are willing to blindly follow it. Also it wasn't just horrible pitching that doomed the Yankees last year but offense as well, and despite getting younger and oh yeah at least their payroll wont be over 200 million this year what have they improved. 1st base- Yes Texiera is a vast improvement over Giambi defensively and probably is a lot better as a hitter at this point 2nd base- Cano had a horrible year last year, unless theres better coaching hes not going to get better SS- Jeter, yes hes clutch against the Sox but he keeps getting older and slower 3rd base- A-rod, yeah he's good but he's not worth all the money, and he certainly hasnt helped too much in the playoffs, LF- Matsui- he can get you a lot of RBI's when he's healthy but his body seems to be breaking down CF- Melky? Brett Gardner? either way they dont provide much offensively RF- Nady, sure hes younger and he isnt afraid of walls, but Abreu was worth the money in terms of offense.C- Posada- do you really think hes gonna have a ridiculous year coming off surgery? do you remember how much better Molina was at calling games? See the Yankees really haven't all that much improved. And remember even if you're salivating over how good they look on paper, remember last years Tigers, remember how many times it looked like the Yankees had the most dominant team and still failed to win it all, and also Torre was a way better manager. Good luck next year

    Posted by dupes34 December 23, 08 06:03 PM
  1. Did we really want a guy who can't even spell his own name?

    I thought everyone knew that i comes before e except afer c!! This guy puts i before e after a T and an X. Dumb as toast and lookong like a true Yankee.

    Now that the Sox have the Yanks right where they want them it's time to bring back Manny - the plan all along, I think - it's obvious.

    Posted by Tim from CT December 23, 08 06:03 PM
  1. I tend to agree with the posters who see the glass as half full rather than half empty. Yes, Texeira would have been a nice addition. But we were a few innings away from yet another World Series appearance last year with the crew we have. This management has a philosophy about how much to spend and they have stuck with it. The result is two World Series in four years. The Yankees spend like drunken sailors, and win nothing for eight years.

    Remember how we moaned about losing A-Rod (as many have mentioned). That worked out just fine. Better yet, remember Jose Contreras. We lost that one to the Yankees too. And the Nation moaned and wailed about how we had been duped. And we ended up hitting Jose like a punching bag. The same when we didn't resign Pedro. I love Pedro, but boy, was that the right decision. So in Theo I trust. Sometimes the best deals are the ones you don't make.

    Posted by Tom Regan December 23, 08 06:03 PM
  1. No one here is telling the real story about how this happened.

    Tex WANTED to play for the Yankees - he did NOT want to play in Boston.

    Smart guy.

    Go Yankees 2009!!

    Posted by NewYorker December 23, 08 06:04 PM
  1. get over it! Now lets go get Derek Lowe ! A winner in the post season!

    Posted by JG December 23, 08 06:04 PM
  1. Well, since I just read Tex preferre the Yankees all along, then whatever-- better that he not taint the Sox to begin with. I'm still disgusted that the Yankees are throwing so much money around, but that's the way it goes. On the up side, if the Yankees tank again, it'll make it that much sweeter.

    Posted by AJ December 23, 08 06:04 PM
  1. hey sox fans, quit whining about how the yanks got tex. i mean the sox offered him jus as good as contract as the yanks, he jus didnt want to play for the red sux. GO YANKS

    Posted by Yankees=Beast December 23, 08 06:05 PM
  1. All the more reason to love Boston and hate the Red Sox--and I live here.

    Posted by Rick December 23, 08 06:05 PM
  1. Next is Manny .I can't believe how mad you sox fans are at the yanks when its your front office that screws you.

    Posted by Joe V. December 23, 08 06:05 PM
  1. How much are those Sox Pax worth now? Wonder why they went on sale when they did ..LOL

    Posted by tomen8r December 23, 08 06:06 PM
  1. This is just another reason that the "pink hats" are bringing down the Red Sox. These yuppie morons will pay any amount of money for any Red Sox thing and the team knows this, they will sell out that disaster known as Fenway Park every game no matter what so why spend money on the team when you can just line your pockets with it. This is just another reason I have slowly started to hate the Red Sox and MLB in general. Until the fans say screw you to the team this type of crap will continue to happen. I hope CC blows out his shoulder, Teixiera tears an ACL and we all know that stiff Burnett WILL be on the 60 day DL at some point in say JUNE. F U Red Sox and FU you pink hat wearing losers.

    Posted by Jeb37 December 23, 08 06:07 PM
  1. What a bunch of whiners. Yankee fans have sucked it up thru some bad years. Now it's your turn. Show some class for a change and stop crying and reverting to hatefulness.

    Posted by mayo man December 23, 08 06:08 PM
  1. Interesting. I had predicted last week that the Yankees would eventually end up with a better deal. I am actually surprised that they got him with $180M but there is a no trade clause and who knows about an opt-out like CC. Perhaps it was not the money but the other factors that led to Henry leaving the table.
    I also had said that the Yankees needed him more than the Bosox after the loss of bats of Giambi, Abreu, and Sheffield not mention the decline of Damon, Cano and Posada, which may be actually devastating. Not to sound like sore grapes, but why did we need Tex? We have an all star 1B in Youk would have had to change the team to to get Tex. I would like tthem to concentrate on perhaps getting Peavy, find a 2 year catcher and to after Mauer as reported on CNN.com. We still need to deicde about th ecurrent catcher and shortstop. Although I doubt this, obviously Manny is still available--oK that's crazy but who knows.

    Posted by Hiker24 December 23, 08 06:08 PM
  1. Not a good day for a young pitching staff.... Seems like no-one else is talking about the pressure of not having a potent offense puts on a pitching staff. There will be two many one run games and pitchers will go longer than they should and arms will break down. I don't think the Sox realize how much that 10 million just cost them.

    Posted by harry December 23, 08 06:08 PM
  1. I can't believe that the Red Sox let this guy get away! Now we have no one in our lineup with pop except Ortiz who is old and injury prone and thinks its okay to risk injuty by sliding into second to get an extra base. We have a picthing staff with loads of question marks. We have no catcher, a shortstop with no power, a righ fielderb who can't ger up in the morning wihout injuring himself and an old thid baseman coming back from injury. Good luck in 2009. We will need it.

    Posted by Fred Thurston December 23, 08 06:08 PM
  1. As a UK based Redsox fan can I just add some British objectivity here? If Mark Texeira is producing at current levels in 4 or 5 years, let alone 8, I'll eat my bowler hat. We know what happens to long term free agent signings - they become shot through with congenital injuries - Johnny Damon - or they get greedy and hold the teams they've sworn undying love for to ransom - A-Rod & Manny anyone? Two World Series plus 2 playoffs in 5 years shows our guys know what they're doing. If Texeira is driven by the last $ on offer then let's go for a free agent or two who's really motivated to join a vibrant, young, winning team rather than the bloated, un-proven cirus of has beens and never weres in the Bronx.

    Posted by Harvmeister December 23, 08 06:09 PM
  1. The Yanks have added Sabathia, Burnett and Texeira
    The Sox acquired a middle reliver from the Royals

    WAY TO GO THEO!!!!!

    Colossal failure of an offseason so far

    Better sign Ben Sheets or trade for Peavy

    Posted by AK December 23, 08 06:09 PM
  1. DO NOT! I repeat DO NOT give in to the urge to answer this by trying to sign some mediocre or oft-injured free agent like Lowe or Sheets. Let's just continue to build throught the system and maybe think about using some of that $$$ to sign some of our home -grown talent like Youkilis, Papelbon and Lester for a few more years.

    Posted by Ron Dranetz December 23, 08 06:10 PM
  1. I'm feeling better about this, besides watching the yankees suck last year was just plain weird. How great will it be to cheer for CC getting fatter, AJ to let go of a fast ball with his arm hanging on the ground, and the rest of the yankees collecting social security right in front of our eyes!!!

    Posted by Mike December 23, 08 06:11 PM
  1. 8 years is a long time....7 out of 10 times he is an out.....put our $$$ into pitching and go after Joe Mareau next year

    Posted by John Milburn December 23, 08 06:11 PM
  1. Bags of cash do NOT necessarily mean a WS win....Good wins over the Evil Empire once again, as they CHOOOOOOOOOOOOOKE, as usual!!!

    Posted by DatStratham December 23, 08 06:12 PM
  1. I LOVE this move! Sox are relying on their farm system. Who can you blame? Pedroia, Youk. Just think of our infield if we didn't trade away people like Hanley Rameriz. I have faith in Theo and John Henry. Frugality is the way to go in this economy. Hello Lars Anderson! If this guy becomes the "next" Tex, then this signing will amount to nothing!

    Lowell has to be relieved. He'll play his heart out now. It's not every day you're a BoSox. High five to the Boston big wigs! You got it right on this move...while dealing an economic punch to near knockout on the Yankees. If you guys really think about it, the Yanks had every player they signed have the most ridiuclous price tag on them...all because of the Sox. :)

    Posted by Henry=genius! December 23, 08 06:12 PM
  1. It is all about the "art of the deal" my masshole friends! John Henry opted out! Bottom line! He opened the door for Brian Cashman to swoop in and make the deal! The Red Sox are playing "small ball" Twice in 100 years you pulled it out. No more my friends. Ha,ha,ha.........So, enjoy your decrepid old ball park, amuse your fans with memories of Pesky (ugh), Yaz (overated), the ketchup on Schillings sock. This is the majors and the Yankees have left you "massholes" in the dust!
    Merry Christmas....!!!

    Posted by NYY1 December 23, 08 06:12 PM
  1. I'm reading the comments from a lot of fellow Red Sox fan's and they sound like children. Grow-up and get over it, you all sound like a bunch of dopes. I've been a Red Sox for 45 years and this is nothing new, but what Chadd Finn doesn't mention in the article is the Red Sox are the one's who won the World Series in 2004 and 2007, and a whisker away from winning last year....not the Yankees.

    Posted by Chico December 23, 08 06:13 PM
  1. I'm reading the comments from a lot of fellow Red Sox fan's and they sound like children. Grow-up and get over it, you all sound like a bunch of dopes. I've been a Red Sox for 45 years and this is nothing new, but what Chadd Finn doesn't mention in the article is the Red Sox are the one's who won the World Series in 2004 and 2007, and a whisker away from winning last year....not the Yankees.

    Posted by Chico December 23, 08 06:13 PM
  1. Wow, what a bunch of whiners. Go finish up your xmas shopping and don't worry about the third place Yankees until April. Go Sox!

    Posted by Shawn December 23, 08 06:13 PM
  1. Not only am I not surprised, but I expected this and have been telling my friends this right from the beginning. What shocks me most about this is that there were actually people who thought after Sabathia and Burnett, the Yankees counldn't afford Teixeira. Are you kidding me?? This was a no-brainer for them! Let's look at their options: If the Sox sign Tex, then Plan B is Manny. However, if they sign Tex, they KNOW the Sox aren't going to sign Manny. Hmmm.....let's see. Tex is a Gold Glove 1B, hits equally well from BOTH sides of the plate, is 8 years younger than Manny, and doesn't come with the headaches of Manny's attitude. I just don't understand how nobody thought of this and considered the Yankees a dark horse. Baffling. Even if the Red Sox are a third place team, it won't be for long because once those young pitchers in Tampa become free agents, Burnett's deal will be done and they'll go play for the Yankees. Obviously the Yankees are looking to win it all every year and all the money they've spent hasn't assured that, but if they manage to dominate the next few years, it will be very interesting once the current collective bargaining agreement expires.

    This luxury tax thing, what a joke. So the Yanks had a $26.9M tax this year, big deal. You divide that among however many teams, and this is supposed to level the playing field?? So NOW how does everyone feel about a salary cap?

    Posted by Rob St Pierre December 23, 08 06:14 PM
  1. This is just another reason that the "pink hats" are bringing down the Red Sox. These yuppie morons will pay any amount of money for any Red Sox thing and the team knows this, they will sell out that disaster known as Fenway Park every game no matter what so why spend money on the team when you can just line your pockets with it. This is just another reason I have slowly started to hate the Red Sox and MLB in general. Until the fans say screw you to the team this type of crap will continue to happen. I hope CC blows out his shoulder, Teixiera tears an ACL and we all know that stiff Burnett WILL be on the 60 day DL at some point in say JUNE. F U Red Sox and FU you pink hat wearing losers.

    Posted by Jeb37 December 23, 08 06:15 PM
  1. " the Los Angeles Angels announced Sunday night that they would no longer attempt to re-sign him. Wrote the Daily News's Bill Madden: "It was then learned that Teixeira had favored the Yankees all along and according to sources he conveyed that to them this week." "

    I think this said it all.

    It's no wonder why Henry said the Red Sox would not be a factor.

    Posted by jak1 December 23, 08 06:15 PM
  1. teixeira was clearly using the red sox to get back at them for when ownership slandered him when he was coming out of high school. i hope he hits .249 for the next 8 seasons and gets booed when he hits .197 in april.

    i'm happy mike lowell is staying though. he's one of the best guys in the game. real class act.

    and remember, games are not won on paper. the yankees could and hopefully will struggle with all of the inflated egos in that clubhouse. in the end, we have a group of guys that get along great and play great as a team. seeing as baseball is a team game, i like our chances going forward. GO SOX!!

    Posted by andy December 23, 08 06:15 PM
  1. Oh, the pain. A Red Sox fan in NY. I was hoping against all odds that the Red Sox would get Tex, but with that PIMP Boras and the Yankees in the mix, I figured something like this would happen. At first I was really PO'd, but then I got to thinking how sweet it will be for the Red Sox to kick some Yankee ass with our own farm team players. That will be SWEETNESS!!!!

    Posted by retiredone December 23, 08 06:15 PM
  1. Ladies and gentelmen... this is just another typical yankees move... I didnt want tex at that kind of coin for that many years ESPECIALLY with a no trade clause. Everyone seems to forget that we were second in the leauge with runs scored last year and our team was pretty banged up for the majority of the season (Lowell, Papi).We were one game from the world series and have the majority of that team returning. I see no reason for everyone to be upset about this. The yankees have done this for a while and how many championships do they have this century? NONE. Thats great get one pitcher that is aweful to say the least in the postseason and another that has moments of greatness but is often hurt and has NEVER pitched in the postseason. I will part with one thought "In Theo we trust..."

    Posted by Seth December 23, 08 06:16 PM
  1. there is no other professional sport that has created such an imbalance in payroll. wouldn't surprise me if the yanks get manny and ben sheets and anyone else fetcing $15m - $20m. this isn't sour grapes, but rather that baseball has completely unraveled. when there is a national recession and when more than half the major league teams are not even participating in the free agent market, that one team can open its wad and laugh at the rest is terrible for the sport.
    the Sox are my team, but the issue isn't the Sox-Yanks, but rather baseball itself. and that is something worth fretting over.

    Posted by mitch morrison December 23, 08 06:16 PM
  1. Now that news is coming out that Tex wanted the Yanks all along, I'm over it. Everyone wants the Yanks (and their crazy money; just like Manny). My question now is what's plan B for the Sox and the offense? Advil for Lowell's hip and Ortiz's wrist? I know pitching wins, blah, blah blah. We have some good starters. Just need a catcher that can hit and manage the staff but what about the offense that let us down in the playoffs last year. We have to fix that right? Anyone out there at all worth signing or trading for? Realistically? Not Lugo for Josh Hamilton crap.

    Posted by Jimmy December 23, 08 06:16 PM
  1. I love these yankee fans, what have you done in the past eight years other than make mediocre players rich and underachieve??

    2 series championships!!!!!!!!

    Posted by mike December 23, 08 06:16 PM
  1. Tony -

    Stop kidding yourself. If the Sox didn't think they were going to get him, why woudl they fly to Dallas to meet with him, A la Schilling??? Stop kidding yourself, Theo and Henry where giddy they had a high caliber player but in the end fell 12M short!! They though Boras was playing chicken, only they lost this time cuz there were other players. Doesn't work when you're not the only team that can bid on a player (Dice-K???)

    Posted by Yankee Player December 23, 08 06:16 PM
  1. Take a look at what Teixeira is. In no way, shape or form is he worth anything close to $20 mil per year. Count me as thrilled that the Sox didn't waste the money to fill a position already spoken for (1B). Maybe Youk over-achieved last year, but his numbers looked a lot like Teixeira's. Give me Lowe and Burrell for a lot less money. I still say the Sox will win the division. Teixeira is not one of the 10 best players in the game today. He's a creation of Boras' magic book.

    Posted by Complete Realist December 23, 08 06:17 PM
  1. Everyone who is writing that he is not worth the money just doesn't get it. If there was a thriving liquid market in major league first basemen it would be easy enough to just go and get the slightly lesser model who might be worth the money. However this is the one guy currently available who can fill what next year will be a gaping hole. There is now no one on the Red Sox roster who is a legitimate 3 or 4 hitter on a world championship caliber team. Plenty of #5 hitters, though.

    The other option has to be to vastly improve the production at CF, SS and C. The Sox can go for a lineup that grinds it out with tough at bats from every position, but that will require, you know, a tough out at every position.

    Posted by rch84 December 23, 08 06:18 PM
  1. Aj Burnett is not that good 69-66 lifetime so he won't work out. CC Sabathia is the worst clutch player ever (except for A-rod). I hope teixera just fizzles out to nothing.

    BOO YANKS U STINK KEEP SPENDING $ ON AWFUL PLAYERS

    Posted by Ian Whitney December 23, 08 06:18 PM
  1. Is King George really gone? Perhaps Hank is actually his clone...
    We have to look on the bright side...I see this as the start of a glorious new era of Yankee-Hating; a joyous,merry hatred that will sweep the country from coast to coast. I look at CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett, and Tex and I see Don Gullett, Ed Whitson, and Jay Buhner. They have always been hateful; as a Bosox fan growing up in Rochester NY I labeled their fans "Homo Yankbrenners", a curious subspecies of humans given to long fits of prolonged howling when things don't go their way. The game is played on the field...

    Posted by Cliff Capriola December 23, 08 06:18 PM
  1. Is King George really gone? Perhaps Hank is actually his clone...
    We have to look on the bright side...I see this as the start of a glorious new era of Yankee-Hating; a joyous,merry hatred that will sweep the country from coast to coast. I look at CC Sabath