Carlota69
07-29-2008, 04:13 PM
The Angels have won the Mark Teixeira sweepstakes.
First baseman Casey Kotchman and Class AA right-hander Stephen Marek are headed to Atlanta in exchange for the power-hitting first baseman.
The Diamondbacks had emerged as an early front-runner for Teixeira, but the Angels maintained steady interest. They were willing to acquire Teixeira only if they did not break up the core of their roster, which has produced the best record in the majors.
In trading Teixeira for Kotchman and Marek, the Braves will receive better value than the two premium draft picks they would have received if they simply lost Teixeira as a free agent.
Kotchman, who is batting .287 this season with a career-high 12 homers, will be under the Braves' control for three more seasons.
Marek, 2-6 with a 3.66 ERA in 34 relief appearances as a reliever at Class AA, eventually projects to be a member of the Braves' bullpen.
The Angels could attempt to keep Teixeira long-term, but those negotiations could be complicated by their need to reach a new deal for right fielder Vladimir Guerrero, who is a free agent next season.
If the Angels lose Teixeira to free agency, they could simply replace him with Kendry Morales, who currently is at Class AAA. They then would receive two premium draft picks as compensation if they offered Teixeira salary arbitration.
Teixeira, a switch-hitter who plays Gold Glove-caliber defense, will provide a major boost to an Angels offense that has revived in July.
He established himself as a premier hitter while with the Texas Rangers from 2003-07. He turned down a lucrative contract extension from Texas and was traded to the Braves in June 2007.
Teixeira has a lifetime batting average of .286 with 190 total home runs. His best season was in 2005 for the Rangers, when he established career highs in average (.301), home runs (43), RBIs (144), and hits (194) and was selected to his first All-Star team. He is hitting .283 with 20 home runs and 78 RBIs this season.
I dont know how to feel about this. I love kotch, but Tex is a monster! Torn between two lovers...
First baseman Casey Kotchman and Class AA right-hander Stephen Marek are headed to Atlanta in exchange for the power-hitting first baseman.
The Diamondbacks had emerged as an early front-runner for Teixeira, but the Angels maintained steady interest. They were willing to acquire Teixeira only if they did not break up the core of their roster, which has produced the best record in the majors.
In trading Teixeira for Kotchman and Marek, the Braves will receive better value than the two premium draft picks they would have received if they simply lost Teixeira as a free agent.
Kotchman, who is batting .287 this season with a career-high 12 homers, will be under the Braves' control for three more seasons.
Marek, 2-6 with a 3.66 ERA in 34 relief appearances as a reliever at Class AA, eventually projects to be a member of the Braves' bullpen.
The Angels could attempt to keep Teixeira long-term, but those negotiations could be complicated by their need to reach a new deal for right fielder Vladimir Guerrero, who is a free agent next season.
If the Angels lose Teixeira to free agency, they could simply replace him with Kendry Morales, who currently is at Class AAA. They then would receive two premium draft picks as compensation if they offered Teixeira salary arbitration.
Teixeira, a switch-hitter who plays Gold Glove-caliber defense, will provide a major boost to an Angels offense that has revived in July.
He established himself as a premier hitter while with the Texas Rangers from 2003-07. He turned down a lucrative contract extension from Texas and was traded to the Braves in June 2007.
Teixeira has a lifetime batting average of .286 with 190 total home runs. His best season was in 2005 for the Rangers, when he established career highs in average (.301), home runs (43), RBIs (144), and hits (194) and was selected to his first All-Star team. He is hitting .283 with 20 home runs and 78 RBIs this season.
I dont know how to feel about this. I love kotch, but Tex is a monster! Torn between two lovers...