It's Almost Over

via blogs.eveningsun.com

These negotiations are nearing the end, finally. It is being reported tonight, that the Yankees and Scott Boras have been talking about parameters for a deal. One might suddenly get worried upon hearing this news, but Boras initiated these negotiations. This is pure speculation, but if Boras initiated these talks, then I believe Boras was trying to make a last ditch effort before Teixeira makes the nearing decision. 

Let's break down the reported offers:

Angels- 8 years 160 million, maybe a little higher.

Orioles- 7 years 140-150 million.

Yankees- No concrete offer.

Nationals- Most likely 8 years 160 million at least.

Red Sox- Rumored anywhere from 165 to 184 million. 

The Red Sox have significantly bid higher then the Angels. The Red Sox have supposedly made the highest offer. Should the Nationals decide to up their offer, they would have to significantly out bid the Sox. We should all but rule out the Orioles, as they have come up short in their effots to sign the Maryland native.

As long as the Yankees don't make an overwhelming bid, the Red Sox should end up with their prize. For Teixeira to sign with the Angels, they would have had to blow him away with an offer to make up for the gap that has the Red Sox leading the Halos because of their better geographic position.

Boras has called the Yankees in hope of forcing the Sox to up their bid. The Sox FO are very intelligent, they understood that the Yankees weren't going to be serious bidders for Teixeira and thus called Boras's bluff. 

Peter Gammons is reporting that the Sox and Teixeira aren't far apart. This is good news for the Sox as reports were flying out that the team and Teixeira were more than 20 million apart. 

It has also been reported that Teixeira was impressed with the Red Sox front office when they flew to meet him. Another plus.

Teixeira, according to Boras, is eliminating teams and the sweepstakes will be over shortly. With the Red Sox fitting every major category for Teixeira (offering the highest bid, consistent proven winner and on the East Coast) good chances are he'll be a Sox before Christmas.

I believe that Boras knows Teixeira is going to go to the Red Sox, he just wants a little more money from them. The Sox have the oppurtunity to go a little higher, but not much more as the team will still need to pay for a large part of Mike Lowell's contract. The only possible way that these negotiations could play out, is if one of the Nationals or Angels improve their offer. The Angels are believed to be unwilling to do so, but such is not the case as nothing has been reported on that front. 

PREDICTION: Sox sign Mark Teixeira 8 years 176 million