John Henry says economic woes could affect baseball
9:07 AM Thu, Dec 18, 2008 | Permalink
Email
 |
 |
Projo Sox Blog |
|
« Roundup of rumors on Teixeira, Manny |
Main
| Analysts -- N.Y. Times could raise $200 million by selling Red Sox stake »
BOSTON (AP) - As the Boston Red Sox pursue Mark Teixeira, their owner said Wednesday the amount they're willing to spend on free agents depends on the nation's economic problems and the player involved. With as many as five teams showing interest in the first baseman, there is serious doubt the Red Sox would go longer than the eight-year contract the Los Angeles Angels, Teixeira's former team, have offered. "We all have limits," Red Sox owner John Henry said in an e-mail to The Associated Press. "Eight years is a very long time in baseball and everywhere else." He also said the amount the team is willing to spend on a free agent "depends on both" the economy and the player being sought. "Baseball as a whole has not yet been hit by the financial crisis, but it will," Henry said. "The degree is in question and won't be answered for a while." A decision by Teixeira on where he will end up did not appear imminent. "No immediate timetable," his agent, Scott Boras, said in an e-mail Wednesday. "Negotiations are on going." The Angels, who obtained Teixeira from the Atlanta Braves two days before the July 31 trade deadline, have said they made an eight-year offer. Boston, Baltimore, Washington and the New York Yankees all have expressed interest with some reportedly offering contracts for that length. Teixeira would give the Red Sox the big bat in the middle of the lineup that they need after trading Manny Ramirez to the Los Angeles Dodgers at the deadline and watching David Ortiz's production drop as he battled a wrist injury last season. Ortiz hit .264 with 23 homers in 109 games and went 8-for-43 with one homer in the postseason. If they sign Teixeira, the Red Sox likely would move first baseman Kevin Youkilis to third, where Mike Lowell has two years and $24 million left on his contract. Lowell is recovering from hip surgery and is expected to be ready to play before opening day. Teixeira, an outstanding fielder, hit .308 with 33 homers and 121 RBIs last season. In 54 games with the Angels, he batted .358 with 13 homers and 43 RBIs. 
CommentsLeave a comment |
New comments
New photos
Authors
New posts
Projo blogs
Archives
Yeah, right... just like you guys are being considerate by not raising the highest ticket prices in all of MLB. You're so out of touch, and this weak attempt at empathy is an insult. All you are doing is laying the groundwork for your excuses when you don't add to the team and the Sox miss the playoffs in 2009.
Report Abuse
Can't understand why the Red Sox have done virutally nothing to improve their team this off-season and fallen dramatically behind both Tampa Bay and the Yankees who have been so actively engaged in improving their teams---and thus, sadly causing our own team to become less competitive. Very, very disheartening to loyal Red Sox fans of many decades like myself who were hopeful the owners would demonstrate commitment to field a championship level team regardless of economic conditions just as other team owners have done.
Report Abuse
Can't understand why the Red Sox have done virutally nothing to improve their team this off-season and fallen dramatically behind both Tampa Bay and the Yankees who have been so actively engaged in improving their teams---and thus, sadly causing our own team to become less competitive. Very, very disheartening to loyal Red Sox fans of many decades like myself who were hopeful the owners would demonstrate commitment to field a championship level team regardless of economic conditions just as other team owners have done.
Report Abuse