It appears the Boston Red Sox are out of the running for Mark Teixeira.
After several outlets earlier reported that club officials were meeting last night with Scott Boras, agent for the free-agent first baseman, Red Sox owner John Henry e-mailed media members and said the team had dropped out of the bidding.
According to the Boston Globe Web site, Henry's e-mail, sent at 10:45 p.m., said: "We met with Mr. Teixeira and were very much impressed with him. After hearing about his other offers, however, it seems clear that we are not going to be a factor."
That means the Orioles apparently still have a shot at bringing home Teixeira, who grew up in Severna Park rooting for the team.
The Associated Press, citing an unnamed official with another team, said Henry and general manager Theo Epstein made the trip to talk to Boras.
WCVB-TV in Boston, using unnamed sources, said the Red Sox were offering the Mount St. Joseph alumnus an eight-year deal worth $184 million while meeting last night in Texas.
If true, the contract far surpasses the Orioles' offer, which is believed to be seven years and between $140 million and $150 million.
Contacted early last evening, Orioles president Andy MacPhail apparently was unaware of the TV report. He would not comment on any speculative offers.
Before last night, the Orioles were one of five teams left in the Teixeira sweepstakes. The Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Angels had reportedly offered eight-year deals worth at least $160 million. The New York Yankees had interest, but reportedly had not made an official offer. They have already made two big signings this offseason: pitchers CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett, a Monkton resident.
The Orioles have had their eyes on Teixeira since he was drafted fifth overall out of Georgia Tech by the Texas Rangers in 2001. The Orioles held the seventh overall pick that year.
Teixeira, who graduated from Mount St. Joseph in 1998, is a Gold Glove fielder and has hit .290 with 203 home runs in six seasons with the Texas Rangers, Atlanta Braves and Angels. He batted .308 with 33 homers and 121 RBIs in 2008.
O's, Ponson settle
The Orioles and former pitcher Sidney Ponson have agreed to a settlement in their three-year dispute over $11.2 million that the club refused to pay the right-hander after he was cut in 2005 for off-the-field transgressions.
