After all that, Mark Teixeira is going to be a Yankee.
Two weeks after signing CC Sabathia, who was their top winter target, the Yankees have agreed to terms with Teixeira, the Red Sox's top winter target. Teixeira will sign an eight-year, $180 million deal, according to a source with knowledge of the negotiations.
Teixeira's contract will include a full no-trade clause, but it will not include the opt-out clause that the Yankees used to lure Sabathia.
While the Yankees told everyone how much they wanted Sabathia, they kept their pursuit of Teixeira a lot quieter. As late as Tuesday morning, the Red Sox believed that Teixeira was choosing between them and the Nationals.
The Sox were also offering an eight-year deal, which sources say was for about $170 million.
But it turned out the Yankees were never out of it, and given a chance to sign the player regarded as the top position player available on the market, the Yankees pounced.
By mid-afternoon, the Yankees had a deal. Because the deal is subject to a physical, the Yankees aren't expected to announce it for several days.
Teixeira's decision to go to New York is a stunning blow to the Red Sox. Not only did they believe that Teixeira was the perfect player to add to the middle of their lineup -- in effect replacing Manny Ramirez and protecting David Ortiz -- but they never really had a viable backup plan. No other position player available, either as a free agent or on the trade market, can give the Sox what Teixeira would have.
Well, one guy could, but we all know there's no chance of Ramirez returning to Boston.
According to sources familiar with the Red Sox's plans, the Sox aren't likely to react to the Teixeira news by stepping up their pursuit of Derek Lowe or any other top starting pitcher. The Red Sox never regarded the Teixeira pursuit as having an effect on their interest in Lowe.
One player who could potentially be affected is catcher Jason Varitek. Now that the Red Sox weren't able to add Teixeira, they may try even harder to get more offense out of the catcher spot.
As for Ramirez, it's not clear where Teixeira's decision leaves him. The Angels have been telling people that they're not interested, and it's unclear how much money Dodgers owner Frank McCourt is willing to spend.
Would Ramirez, who has always played on winning teams, be willing to go to Washington?
Or how about the Yankees? Could they sign Ramirez, too?
No, they won't. That one, we should be able to count them out of.
