By AllStarsPlus
Yesterday afternoon, Red Sox owner John Henry and GM Theo Epstein flew on a secret mission to Texas to meet Scott Boras and Mark Teixeira so it appeared to be a “done deal” that Teixeira would be a BoSox.
Sox May Be Closer To Signing Teixeira – Boston Sports News Story – WCVB Boston
WCBV Channel 5 in Boston went on the air with the story on their 5PM show that they expected a contract announcement for 8 years at $23.5 million per year ($188 million). They were anticipating this to be finalized on Thursday night or Friday morning.
Late Thursday night, Red Sox owner John Henry sent an email to The Associated Press saying they had been outbid for Teixeira and “are not going to be a factor” in acquiring him. “We met with Mr. Teixeira and were very much impressed with him,” BoSox owner John Henry told the Associated Press. “After hearing about his other offers, however, it seems clear that we are not going to be a factor.”
OTHER OFFERS? Would that be the Angels, Nationals or Orioles? This may be a new chapter in the Boras Modus-Operandi. Remember, before the negotiations started, Boston was seen as the most likely destination for Teixeira.
Boras finished his day with his own e-mail statement, “The Boston ownership was kind enough to request and travel to meet with Mark Teixeira. While it was a very positive meeting, Mark was candid and advised he is in the process of making a decision and is now attempting to eliminate teams.”
In other news: Nats Free agent Aaron Boone agreed Thursday to a $750,000, one-year contract with the Astros.
Chico Harlan wrote in the Washington Post today that Nationals President Stan Kasten said only that the team was “examining numerous possibilities,” including “alternatives” — though he didn’t reference Teixeira by name. Kasten did not address whether Washington would be willing to bolster its contract offer, perhaps by lengthening it to the 10-year deal Boras initially sought for his client.