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The Option of Mark Teixeira
This season is not going the way most of us thought it would. The Yankees have basically the same players that they did last year, this being the team that scored 968 runs. This year, there seems to be little pop in the offense. Disregard the fact that Alex Rodriguez and Jorge Posada are out, because this team still isn’t making it happen. At the end of the season, one free agent may be of certain interest to the Yankees organization: Mark Teixeira. The fact of the matter is, is that the Yankees need a first baseman. Jason Giambi probably won’t be around for much longer, and even if he is, he can’t stay at first base forever. What does Mark Teixeira have to offer?
Making an impact on the National League last year, Teixeira opened up many eyes. In one of his better seasons, he batted a career-high .306 with 30 home runs, 105 RBI’s, and 86 runs scored. He had an OBP of .400, a Slugging Percentage of .563, and an OPS of .746. Also, he only grounded into a double play 7 times, which is less than what Derek Jeter did in the entire 2007 ALDS (kidding). His best season came in 2005, where he was putting up Alex Rodriguez-like numbers. Playing in a full season, he hit 43 HR’s, drove in 144 RBI’s, and scored 112 runs. He batted .301 on the year. He also had a slugging percentage of .575, and an OPS of .954. His 144 RBI’s is a major league record for RBI’s by a switch hitter. Throughout 5 years of play, Teixeira averages 36 home runs a year, 118 RBI’s, and 100 runs scored. One of his downfalls is that he also averages 128 strikeouts a year. Among some noticeable career achievements, Teixeira is only the third switch-hitter to hit at least 20 home runs in each of his first three seasons. He has won two Silver Slugger Awards, and has hit for the cycle.
Along with a decent bat, this two-time Gold Glove winner can also play the field, which happens to be a problem right now for the Yankees. Teixeira has experimented with left field, right field, and third base, but is a premier first baseman. In 6,642 chances, Teixeira has only committed 34 errors. In 385 chances this year, he has committed two errors. His fielding percentage has never been lower than .810.
Teixeira is generally durable, averaging almost 150 games every year, including back-to-back years where he played in all 162 games, in 2005 and 2006. He had even played in 507 consecutive games for Texas, before injuring his quadricep. It was only the second time he had been placed on the DL in his career.
If the Yankees are desperate enough, they will attack Teixeira as soon as he becomes available. I myself believe that this would be a worthy transaction. The Yankees need an answer at first base, and Giambi isn’t it. It also seems clear that Wilson Betemit isn’t it. Mark Teixeira is young, durable, and he can play the game. I’m going to keep my eye on him, as should the Yankees. He could be a valuable option.
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18 Responses to “The Option of Mark Teixeira”
May 19th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
I’m not really sure about Tex. I’d like to see where this season goes before I say Im ready to commit to that kind of deal.
May 19th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
Haven’t we learned our lesson about signing guys to long term, big money contracts? Consering Boras will want at least a seven year deal, I don’t think you can make that signing. It will not be in the teams best interest to be paying 20 mil a year to a 35 year old first basemen, the age Tex will be at the end of the contract. Move Jeter to first, and use the money to sign Sabathia and/or K-Rod.
May 19th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
yeah good point. spend the money elsewhere.
May 19th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
I’d consider Texiera if they’d go a different direction in RF.. Abreu is a good player, but i don’t think another 16M investment should be made in him. Would they consider Melky in Right and getting a CF or using a Brett Gardner/Austin Jackson combination? That is, depending on where Jackson is at that point.
May 19th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
What about Juan Miranda at first? Right now in 32 games he’s .271/4 HR/16 RBI/.406 OBP?
May 19th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
I think Teixeira would be a great addition to this team, but I too am wary of a 6-7 year deal for any player. However, we may not have much of an option.
I am not a big fan of Juan Miranda. His defense at first is pretty poor, and he’s not hitting well enough to justify his lack of defense (pretty much the same reason I don’t like Giambi). Hitting .271 in AAA doesn’t seem like enough. However, I would be willing to give him a shot over Giambi if his slump continues, but Miranda is a short-term fix.
Teixeira can hit and field on a high level. He’s good for at least a .290-.300 BA, 30 homers, and 100+ RBIs. That type of offense combined with gold glove defense is something special. While I do agree that paying 20 mil to a 35 year old Teixeira (at the end of his next contract) is a bit ridiculous, it is not as bad as some of our past contracts. Giambi will be making roughly the same amount this year, and I think a 35 year old Teixeira would produce better than Giambi right now.
I don’t mean to diminish the difficulty of playing first base, but it is a less physically taxing position than many others. Someone with Teixiera’s talent should be able to hold down the fort at first at age 35.
The bottom line is while that avoiding 6-7 year deals is a great idea for anyone, but what are our other options? I don’t view Miranda as a long term solution, and unless Eric Duncan pulls his career around, we don’t have any other real minor league options.
Koch,
I agree with your point on Abreu. I wouldn’t mind seeing Abreu back for less money, but he’s not worth 16 million anymore. I think Melky has a cannon for an arm and can hold down right field just fine with we want to give Gardner or Jackson a shot in center. Obviously it depends on how the season goes for those two before we can really make that decision.
May 19th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
“He had an OBP of .400, a Slugging Percentage of .563, and an OPS of .746.”
Might want to check that OPS #
:-)
May 19th, 2008 at 7:08 pm
Do we really want a grossly overpaid, middle aged, slap hitter at first instead of Texiera? Jeter’s my boy, but finding a position for him is going to be a real issue in a few years. When his contract expires, how much is he really worth? I see him being the kind of guy who wants to play as long as humanly possible.
May 19th, 2008 at 7:21 pm
I’d love to get Tex. Though those high OBP and high SO numbers remind me of Degado, so as we can see from across town I wouldn’t want him past the age of 35.
But there’s a problem. He would block Posada, JETER, and possibly Montero from playing 1B down the road.
Posada could man 1B for the next few years, Jeter can play SS for another year or two. What do you do with Jeter when his contract is up in 2010 and is still only 36? Or even before then, to be honest? His days at SS are numbered, and I see him retiring as a Yankee and playing till he’s about 40. Tell me where he plays from 35-40? And most scouts think Montero will be a beast and won’t stay behind the plate. Then what?
Not sure you can do Teixera, even if you want to.
May 19th, 2008 at 7:56 pm
Steve, you make some good points. That is another concern with signing Teixeira. I wouldn’t worry about Posada, as he can DH and serve as the backup catcher once in awhile to whoever replaces him as the full-time guy. I’m not really concerned with Montero either. He may grow out of his position as a catcher, but he is young enough (he’s only 18) that we can develop him in another position. If neither of those work out, we could always flip him for someone else. I love to see home-grown Yankees as much as the next fan, but Montero is a few years away from the bigs, and I wouldn’t want to make a decision for 2009 based on where Montero plays in 2011. He is a prospect that may not even work out, he still has a long way to go.
I am concerned with Jeter. A-Rod is at third, and he won’t have the mobility to play short after a few more years. I still want to sign Teixiera, but I’m not sure what to do about Jeter. Left Field maybe? But then what about Gardner/Jackson/Melky/Tabata? It a tough question for sure.
May 19th, 2008 at 8:17 pm
Posada will move to the DH role in a couple years
May 19th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
If we know it, the Yankees know it, signing Giambi was a long term, costly disaster; perhaps the worst they’ve ever negotiated. Jeter’s a long-term solution at first; that move will shore up defense at both positions. As for Giambi, release him tomorrow; addition by subtraction.
May 20th, 2008 at 8:43 am
Anyone who compares Texiera with Giambi at the same point in their careers is employing a very short memory. Let’s remember one thing, at best Giambi was a mediocre 1st baseman, at best. I know everyone thinks this is a position that can be filled by anybody with two arms and legs, until they wind up where the Yanks are now, with a player to old to crippled and to stubborn (how you like that shift) for the good of the team. Texiera doesn’t have Giambi’s power numbers but then again as far as we know he doesn’t work out with a syringe either. say what you want about how texiera’s not a good fit, but the guy can play, and as far as I’m concerned if the team wants to make the post season they need a younger bat and a glove that works at 1st. Part of the reason you have a minor league system is to have the option to trade for players when there is a need . believe me there’s a need.
May 20th, 2008 at 10:11 am
I don’t think people can worry about prospects, you can always trade prospects. It is always better to have a glutton of talent. As far as Teixeira, he is not Giambi, do not even compare them. But unlike stated in the article, Teixeira is not young, he is 28 and in his physical prime. So next year he will be 29, if he were 25 this year I would sign him to a 7 year contract next year in a second, being the age he is I would try and give him a 5 year deal and overpay those 5 years, something like 22-25 mil over 5 years, rather than 20 mil over 7 years. It isnt the amount of money we give these players its the years. Over paying for less years is the key!
May 20th, 2008 at 11:36 am
I agree with almost every point made sofar,and in no way want to see the top brass spend top dollar on more old men that cant field their position just because they get a couple homers every once in a while.Still I have seen us in recent years hold out on what I think would have been very good moves,then turn around and spend on the worst guy out their.I see Texiera as a bat that can really play the field,and Ihes young.We can always find a spot for a player like Arod,or Jeter to play they will never become a Giambi.Still Im shure we will hold out and spend the bank on CC whom has 1 more ok year.I always think if a guy is on the market ,and hes young good,and not injury prone,if you need him,and can afford him you sign him.If you do your homework you always win with young already established players.
May 20th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
I wrote about this in my blog the other day, feel free to check it out:
http://sportstalkbuzz.com/2008/05/20/debate-looking-for-offense-in-the-nl-who-do-you-want/
May 20th, 2008 at 5:50 pm
Signing Teixeira is a no brainer. The Jeter problem is a big one, but first base is not where he belongs - you need power at that position. Teixeira does everything right and you don’t have to give up any talent to pick him up.
May 21st, 2008 at 9:36 am
You’d be giving up your first rounder to sign him
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