The Teixeira Watch: Part V - AM says the O's "have flexibility" on Tex

[NewOwnerNeeded]

I'm still hoping they are using this to try and get more out of the O's. The fact the O's have a shot says a lot. I still have hope this will work out.

Besides, if he does sign with the Sox, we are no worse off then we are now or were last year.

[eastonguy]

I went to ESPN and it says Breaking News. I thought oh man but it was only Sundin picking the Canucks.

[apollod]

We have seen zero evidence they have raised the original offer.

MacPhail said it was a flexible offer but that doesnt mean it was raised.

I really do not think we raised our offer of 7/150, we expected a hometown discount and correctly we did not get one.

Correct.. the flexibility in the offer may have been the # of years, but still at 21 mil a year; Or having no trade clauses and opt out's. AM's statement was way too vague and everybody took it as saying that we'd be willing to part with more money per year.

And I think some people are taking the "Hometown Discount" aspect a little too literal. The hometown discount is there.. it's just not in the monetary form everybody wants it in. Tex is considering us, thats a discount if i ever saw one compared to most other major free agent's of his caliber. You have to look at what Tex is seeing when he looks at the O's offer:

1. A team on basically a 25/26 year losing streak with the exception of 2 golden years.

2. Most likely less money, not too much less (if we did up our offer)

3. The last place team in the toughest division, which means there's a hell of a hill to climb.

4. If everything works out to plan, he's still looking at 3-4 years before a completely legit shot at a WS.

Compared to what the sox offer:

1. A team clearly at the top of their game for the better part of a decade now

2. Most likely offering the most money

3. A team that's placed 1st or 2nd in the toughest division for the better part of a decade (and has how many consecutive years of a playoff birth now?)

4. Could very well win the World Series this season, if not multiple times over the next 3-4 years.

and we know the following facts about tex:

1. He wants to win a world series

2. He wants to play near home

3. He wants to get paid (who doesn't?)

The Orioles can only give a maybe on #1; but it's a BIG BIG maybe; and its a "less" maybe with the sox #2 is obvious for the O's, but Boston isn't that far away, and they have plenty of visiting games; and #3 Boston probably has us beat under most circumstances.

I can't really blame him for going to the Sox; and I wouldn't fault him if he came here later in his career and won a world series with the sox and the O's are stuck in time. But at the same time, if the Sox just washout in the playoffs/regular season for a good chunk of his contract and the O's actually shake and move their way up, I will most certainly feel inclined to go "HA! HA!" towards him

[MarylandTerp08]

Can you really see them leaving without a deal? I can't...

Agreed, probably hammering out details.

[clapdiddy]

Tex is negotiating with the Angels, Orioles, Red Sox, Nats, and Yankees, Boras lives in California. What are they all doing in Texas??

I think Tex still lives in Texas.

[KyleBoller4Prez]

Tex is negotiating with the Angels, Orioles, Red Sox, Nats, and Yankees, Boras lives in California. What are they all doing in Texas??

The only thing I can think of is...Tex played for the Rangers for years...maybe he's visiting friends/former teammates.

[B-P]

Sometimes being an O's fan makes me feel like Charlie Brown!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBZatWMFx8g

[Satyr3206]

Tex is negotiating with the Angels, Orioles, Red Sox, Nats, and Yankees, Boras lives in California. What are they all doing in Texas??

Maybe Boras thinks Hicks will give out another ARod type deal to another one of his clients.

[KyleBoller4Prez]

I think Tex still lives in Texas.

I heard Atlanta???

[osbaseball08]

Can you really see them leaving without a deal? I can't...

It's Boras. I can see it.

[Jagwar]

Tex is negotiating with the Angels, Orioles, Red Sox, Nats, and Yankees, Boras lives in California. What are they all doing in Texas??

Maybe it's a trap from MacPhail. Post a story with specific info about "Texas" so that he knows he has the media by the short and curlies.

[Carroll County]

http://sonsofsamhorn.net/index.php?showtopic=39912

Someone on SOSH said that a CBS Station in Northern VA (Presumably Channel 9?) has reported that the Angels have upped their offer to $200M. I couldn't find it anywhere, anyone else see this?

[Sports Guy]

I doubt the Big 3 would fly down there if they weren't sure this was getting done.

I think it is likely a deal would get done but you just don't know...Maybe Boston is saying, lets meet and see if we can have any movement on this?

I don't really know...I don't think it is a guarantee unless the money is there and no other team is saying they will beat it.

[ChaosLex]

Don't worry, folks. AM has Millar on speed dial. His "veteran presence" and "clubhouse leadership" will most assuredly lead us to great heights in the AL East, just as it has the last two seasons.

[OrioleBeer]

I heard Atlanta???

I thought so too - http://realestalker.blogspot.com/2008/01/mark-teixeira.html