The Orioles' worst fears were realized yesterday when they learned not only that they would not be bringing Mark Teixeira home, but also that the coveted free-agent slugger would be signing with their most hated American League East rivals.
Teixeira, the first baseman who grew up in Severna Park as an Orioles fan, reached agreement yesterday on an eight-year, $180 million deal with the New York Yankees, who continued their mind-boggling offseason spending spree.
"We'd all prefer to have the player, but at the end of the day, it didn't work out that way. As they have demonstrated this offseason, the Yankees have resources that aren't available to 28 other clubs," Orioles president Andy MacPhail said.
"Obviously, [Teixeira signing with the Yankees] is not my first choice. But look, it is what it is. We still have to do what we have to do as an organization to get ourselves in a contending situation, which can be done. We just had a team win the American League championship [the Tampa Bay Rays] that did it that way. That's the model we're going to follow. You don't have to buy your way in."
The Orioles offered Teixeira, a 28-year-old switch-hitting first baseman, a seven-year, $140 million deal and told his agent, Scott Boras, they were willing to be flexible in negotiations. However, no serious negotiations took place after the offer despite Boras and MacPhail speaking several times, an indication that Teixeira wasn't especially interested in a homecoming.
According to team sources, the Orioles wouldn't have come close to the $180 million deal Teixeira received from the Yankees. Not wanting to get into a bidding war they knew they wouldn't win, the Orioles knew their best - and pretty much only - hope was the player's desire to become the face of a franchise that he grew up rooting for. But that desire never resonated with Teixeira. Orioles owner Peter Angelos didn't return calls seeking comment.
Boras, who told clubs he was looking for a 10-year, $200 million deal, called MacPhail yesterday afternoon and informed him that his client was going in a different direction. Teixeira also weighed offers from the Boston Red Sox and Washington Nationals. The Los Angeles Angels, the team Teixeira finished last season with, rescinded their offer. Boras has not returned repeated calls and e-mails seeking comment.
