Can the Braves extend Teixeira beyond 2008?

[McCarroll21]

Can the Braves extend Teixeira beyond 2008?
By: Josh McCarroll (http://www.braves-nation.com/forums/member.php?u=1) | Braves-Nation.com

July 31, 2007. A day Braves fans will be remembering for many years to come.

On that day, the Braves traded five prospects to bring Mark Teixeira back to Atlanta. Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Elvis Andrus, Matt Harrison, Neftali Feliz, and Beau Jones were traded to the Texas Rangers in exchange for Teixeira and Ron Mahay. Baseball America rated Saltalamacchia, Andrus and Harrison as the Braves top three prospects before the 2007 season began.

When the team acquired Teixeira, they knew they had one year and two months before he becomes a free agent. Now that those two months are gone, we'll look into the potential of re-signing Teixeira to the long-term deal he wants following the 2008 season.

With new ownership, the Braves are expected to operate with a payroll in the range of $90 million, an increase over the $80 million of recent years but not a figure that would allow you to spend your money without some creative payroll management.

The first thing that we need to look at is what kind of money would Teixeira be looking at. It is expected that he will be looking to get $12.5 million through arbitration for 2008. After that, the free agent years kick in which will push Teixeira's price tag a little higher. Teixeira has Boras as his agent, so you know that Boras will get every penny that he feels his client deserves, which for a talent like Teixeira can likely be a figure that starts at $15-18 million and escalates to $20-22 million by the end of the deal.

Teixeira will turn 28 years old just weeks after the 2008 season begins, so given his age, you can expect that he could realistically be looking at a deal that would lock him up for the next 5-7 years. A contract of that length would carry him into his mid-thirties.

Using an estimated yearly salary and the length he would command, a reasonable deal for Mark Teixeira could be something like a six-year deal worth $115 million. When averaged out, that comes to a little over $19 million per season, but if it is laid out in growing proportions, it could get Teixeira into the $20 million that he and Boras would want by the third or fourth year of the contract.

I would lay the contract out something like: 09: $16, 10: $18, 11: $18, 12: $20, 13: $21, 14: $22

Another option would be to make 2009 and 2010 something lesser in value as both Chipper and Smoltz would be off the books by then. I am not a fan of profusely back loading contracts, so I won't lay out an option like that, but the option stands.

Where would that fit into the 2009 roster?


Those guaranteed for 2009: (with Teixeira added in)Mark Teixeira - $16
Tim Hudson - $13
John Smoltz - $12 (team option)
Chipper Jones - $11 (option that vests at $8M and $11M)
Brian McCann - $3.5Total - $55.5 (5 players)

Arbitration eligible (all estimations):Third year:
Mike Gonzalez - $3.5Second year:
*Matt Diaz - $0.65
*Jeff Francoeur - $2.5
*Kelly Johnson - $0.7* denotes that player may qualify as Super-Two in 2007 off-season, thus entering arbitration a year earlyFirst year:
Willy Aybar - $0.5
Chuck James - $0.6
Tyler Yates - $0.5Total - $8.95 (7 players) - $64.45 (12 players)


Those not yet eligible for arbitration:Manny Acosta
Jose Ascanio
Joey Devine
Yunel Escobar
Brandon Jones
Brent Lillibridge
Peter Moylan
Brayan Pena
Jo-Jo Reyes
Royce Ring
Clint Sammons
Jordan SchaferTotal - $5.4 (12 players; estimated $0.45 on average) - $69.85 (24 players)

This will leave us with a capable roster that is one starting pitcher short and $20 million left to spend. As a side note, Rafael Soriano will be entering free agency in 2009. Due to the bullpen depth we have throughout the system, I did not include a projected 2009 salary for him in this calculation, but the money appears to be there to bring him back should the Braves choose to do so. I also neglected to include Scott Thorman in the calculation as I do not believe the Braves will keep him around given the fact he is out of options and has no where to play. Had Thorman been included, he would not yet be eligible for arbitration, thus an additional $0.45 to the payroll.

All in all, this is clearly an estimation in terms of money, but I feel a realistic one, and it is clear that the Braves will have the money to re-sign Teixeira to a competitive deal should they choose to do so. The roster likely won't shape up like that, as I feel some of those players will be traded over the next season of baseball, and likely within the next three months. However, the point of this article was not project a roster that is two years away, the point was to prove that the money can work out to give Mark Teixeira a competitive contract that will keep him from reaching free agency, which I think we can do.

The Braves wouldn't have traded so much of the future by trading two potential stars in Saltalamacchia and Andrus, along with what could be three very serviceable starting pitchers in Harrison, Feliz and Jones, had they not intended to extend Teixeira beyond the 2008 season.

With Mike Hampton and Edgar Renteria coming off the books at the same time and an influx of young relief pitching the Braves will be able to count on in the bullpen, the Braves are set to free up a lot of money between 2008 and 2009 and not having to pump it all back into the team to keep their stars. This will give the Braves the ability to re-sign Teixeira and possibly even make a big splash on the trade market and/or through free agency prior to the 2009 season, as well. It would also allow the Braves to have a little bit of a cushion should the negotiations take Teixeira's price to a higher rate. If the talks stay in the six year range, the Braves could go upwards of $130 million over the life of the contract.

[JCStone7]

Great breakdown Mc as usual. I think it sounds plausible at this point. So to be frank with Frank, get it done and don't mess with the bull, aka Boras, or you'll get the horns.

[SamtheBravesFan]

Talk about clearly laid out. Well done. :)

I certainly hope this would be the case. It has been my assumption that Boras would be looking to get Teixeira something in the $18-$20/5-7 years range. I don't know if he'd go for a backloaded contract.

[charpotsss]

The Braves wouldn't have traded so much of the future by trading two potential stars in Saltalamacchia and Andrus, along with what could be three very serviceable starting pitchers in Harrison, Feliz and Jones, had they not intended to extend Teixeira beyond the 2008 season.

That's the key point to me. Just stupid to trade five prospects for a 14 month rental and I can't imagine JS would do that. They must feel there's a good chance to get the deal done on a contract past 08.

Great breakdown!

[Scalpel19]

Most here on this board do not believe me so I want to thank you McCarroll for showing how this can work out by the numbers. Everyone must remember that Renteria came off the books today, Hampton will come off after '08, Smoltz will come off after '09 (if he pitches longer it will be a contract around 5-7 million), and Chipper will likely also be coming off the books and will be in a similar situation to Tex.

In talking with one source today, he doesn't even think the no-trade clause will be an issue. He spoke with Tex and he understands that the Braves simply don't trade guys that they view as stars and players they give big deals to. They haven't with Glavine, Maddux, CJones, AJones, Smoltz, Hudson, Hampton... not a single one. He feels Mark wants to be here and will be here

[Gibby]

Mark Teixera definately wants to stay a Brave, but my question is simply this... Exactly how much control does Scott Boras have over his clients?? Boras is gonna do everything he can to make Tex wait and become a free agent so teams like the Yanks and the Sox can get in the mix, and then his price could skyrocket. But if we are prepared to offer him the numbers you're speaking of, 6 yrs/120 mil or so, I don't see him saying no.

[HaRdCoReBrAvEsFaN]

How about 7 yrs/17.5 Per AVG/7.5 Mill Signing Bonus that's usually given in big contracts like this/ 7yrs @122.5 w/o SB and 7 yrs @ 130 w/ SB...

That's as high as I'd be willing to go...and that's a above what I'd prefer to see him get....That 17.5 would be the 5th highest annual per year salary in the majors behind A-ROD(23 over the 7 years, but his 10 year deal would have avgd out to 25.2), Manny(21),Jeter(18.9), Wells(18)... Boras won't see it like the real world, but I think ideally he should be somewhere around Pujols' contract though he'd get more then 14.5 per on the open market probally 7 years @ 105-112 Total would be what I'd like to see...This is all based on us signing him this offseason though, IF we wait till after 08 to sign him though, I'd prefer offer a 5 or 6 year deal...IF he's here for the next 8 years that'll keep him through the age of 35 which should be the rest of his Prime or the best of it at least...

[chip&smoltz95]

okay, i want to preface this post with the fact that i know little about the financial aspects of baseball. However, wouldn't francoeur be making more than 2.5million? Isn't he more valuable than that? I don't think it has a major impact on your numbers and i am not trying to nit-pick i was just curious. I thought, he would be making more. I also thought i heard that HE might not wanna stay a Brave and would want more money like his buddy, McCann. Great breakdown though!

[McCarroll21]

Not likely, not if he's still going through arbitration. That would be his second year of arbitration.

This year will be his first and he will be receiving a pay raise from $0.4275M. I would expect him to end up in the $1-1.2M this off-season, with a raise somewhere close to double that in his second year of arbitration.

[KRAZE E E803]

MC I love the way you put that info together. Many props on that work. I think that it the best I have seen anyone do it:bow:. I had a lot of doubts until I read that. We still are a year away yet so we will see what happens.


I sure hate Boras he is bad for baseball:mad:

[JayDonnelly10]

I sure hate Boras he is bad for baseball:mad:

Bad for baseball or bad for baseball fans?

he does his job and he does it well....he keeps players happy, fans unhappy, and teams angry

[KRAZE E E803]

Bad for baseball or bad for baseball fans?

he does his job and he does it well....he keeps players happy, fans unhappy, and teams angry
Just because players are happy doesn't make him good for baseball. With so much money being asked for his players. Only a hand full of teams can get in on them. With a majority of his players being some of the better players in the league its not fair and not good for baseball. It also drives up the cost of all the other free agents that are not his clients. Look at some of the ridiculous salaries being paid to mediocre players these days. The A-rod $350,000,000 starting point is just insane I think we can all agree with that.

[McCarroll21]

It doesn't matter. It's the teams that pay his players, not him. He can ask for the moon, but until teams stop giving in, there's no reason for him to not continue to do so. He's the best at what he does. Much like Alex Rodriguez, Scott Boras is the best at his craft.

[JCStone7]

Scott Boras reminds me of a line in Tommy Boy.

"If you want me to shit in a box and marked it guaranteed I will"

Boras is good at what he does. More likely than not he'll get owners to pay for overpriced guaranteed pieces of shit. I.E. Adrian Beltre

[KRAZE E E803]

I agree he is the best. But it is crazy the how the market value for "Shit" has sky-rocketed in the past three or four years. It's getting out of control sooner or later there will be A LOT of teams that will get left in the dust because they cant keep up. You guys are right though. Hell if It was me I would take the money and run also. It just sucks for fans, the people who are paying the bills.

[SamtheBravesFan]

I think this issue needs to be re-visited. Once and for all, it needs to be emphasized that it is possible for Teixeira to be able to re-sign with the Braves regardless of the price that the Yankees or Mets can pay. I'm getting sick of all the "The Braves won't be able to sign him" crap, no matter how plausible that is; it's annoying.

[charpotsss]

I think this issue needs to be re-visited. Once and for all, it needs to be emphasized that it is possible for Teixeira to be able to re-sign with the Braves regardless of the price that the Yankees or Mets can pay. I'm getting sick of all the "The Braves won't be able to sign him" crap, no matter how plausible that is; it's annoying.

I think the sentiment is more "the Braves could sign him, but it's very unlikely." You must admit that the odds of the Yankees, or some other team with a higher payroll, outbidding us are very high. Tex has little loyalty to Atlanta, maybe some from his days with GT and his wife's family living there, but his main priority seems to be playing for a team that wins (with the exception of maybe an interest in Baltimore - isn't that where he is from?)

[Jsh1284]

Great job, Mc .. as usual.

After that breakdown, some of my doubts have been cleared up when it comes to the issue of re-signing Teix.

Considering the possibility of a back-loaded contract, I see a deal coming up. Now, it all seems to be riding on whether or not Teix is going to want to test the free-agent market (or whether Boras will push him into doing so) and whether or not he would ACCEPT a back-loaded contract such as that. I for one would love to see it happen.

Still .. my confidence in our ability to re-sign him is much higher than before.

[SamtheBravesFan]

I think the sentiment is more "the Braves could sign him, but it's very unlikely." You must admit that the odds of the Yankees, or some other team with a higher payroll, outbidding us are very high. Tex has little loyalty to Atlanta, maybe some from his days with GT and his wife's family living there, but his main priority seems to be playing for a team that wins (with the exception of maybe an interest in Baltimore - isn't that where he is from?)

I think that Teixeira wants to win. That's why he wanted out of Texas in the first place. I doubt he'll want to go to Baltimore. They'll pay him, but they won't be winning anytime soon.

The potential to win in New York is definitely greater, there is no denying that. However, it's a different animal entirely playing in New York. I think he knows that too. Is the lure of an extra $3-5 million worth the pressure cooker and constant exposure that is New York City? That's something that he'll have to decide.

He can win in Atlanta, and there probably won't be as much pressure to produce.

[charpotsss]

s the lure of an extra $3-5 million worth the pressure cooker and constant exposure that is New York City? That's something that he'll have to decide.

When you're talking about a contract for 5+ years, which I guess he'd get something like a 6 or 7 year contract, that 3-5 million turns into about $18-30 million over the course of the contract. Quite the difference.

[SamtheBravesFan]

When you're talking about a contract for 5+ years, which I guess he'd get something like a 6 or 7 year contract, that 3-5 million turns into about $18-30 million over the course of the contract. Quite the difference.

I mean yearly, you know that.

Guess he'll be in pinstripes. The lure of money is just too great.

[charpotsss]

I mean yearly, you know that.

Guess he'll be in pinstripes. The lure of money is just too great.

I know, just pointing out that it adds up to be a substantial number over the course of the contract. Much easier to say "I'll give up 3-5mil" than "I'll give up 18-30 mil."

[josephw000]

wow he'd have to miss out on 18-30 million over the course of 7 years...when hell be making close to if not 100 million over those years....wow...poor guy....I'd def go for the more money in exchange for moving away from an area closer to home...thats ridiculous. But everyones different....

[SamtheBravesFan]

wow he'd have to miss out on 18-30 million over the course of 7 years...when hell be making close to if not 100 million over those years....wow...poor guy....I'd def go for the more money in exchange for moving away from an area closer to home...thats ridiculous. But everyones different....

$30 million and a higher chance to win a World Series (bought or not) makes it a pretty easy decision to make.

[charpotsss]

wow he'd have to miss out on 18-30 million over the course of 7 years...when hell be making close to if not 100 million over those years....wow...poor guy....I'd def go for the more money in exchange for moving away from an area closer to home...thats ridiculous. But everyones different....

guys leave for the money all the time. it's easy for us to say we'd give it up, but we're fans. we're deeply attached to the team whereas most players are not. it's a business. and even if they are attached, it's easier to say you'd give up that much money until you're actually faced with the decision.

i've never been offered that much money, of course, but the principle is holding true in my family right now after the death of a relative. people are being tested as to how much money they're actually willing to give up in exchange for keeping some things that everyone is very emotionally attached to.

[josephw000]

guys leave for the money all the time. it's easy for us to say we'd give it up, but we're fans. we're deeply attached to the team whereas most players are not. it's a business. and even if they are attached, it's easier to say you'd give up that much money until you're actually faced with the decision.

i've never been offered that much money, of course, but the principle is holding true in my family right now after the death of a relative. people are being tested as to how much money they're actually willing to give up in exchange for keeping some things that everyone is very emotionally attached to.

I'm not attached to Teix, I'm not much for wether he leaves or not. I'd love to keep him of course, but like everyone I have my own opinions. A higher chance to win a World Series with another team that can pay more? I dont see it that way, I believe we have equally as good a chance as any other team, with the exception of Boston of course...but everyones different so It comes down to the player...

[BGarrett7]

They'll pay him, but they won't be winning anytime soon. Which is a damn shame, because they really are piecing together all the right tools for once. Give them a corner outfielder and a 1B and they could likely contend in any other division but the AL East.

The potential to win in New York is definitely greater, there is no denying that. However, it's a different animal entirely playing in New York. I think he knows that too. Is the lure of an extra $3-5 million worth the pressure cooker and constant exposure that is New York City? That's something that he'll have to decide.It all depends on how much the Yankees sign him for. If they can keep it somewhere in the range of $18M to $20M, the pressure won't be nearly as bad as if he were drawing A-Rod type bucks. Not to mention, if he does end up going to the Yankees, with the likes of A-Rod, Matsui, Jeter, Cano, Posada and Damon around, he will be just another piece and won't be a focal point of the offense. With the Braves, he is either the #1 or #2 guy, depending on whether or not Chipper is healthy.

[Jsh1284]

It's still a different atmosphere. In Atlanta, all you've got to worry about when it comes to writers are Dave O, Terrance Moore, and Mark Bowman. In NY, if you suck it up, you've got pretty much every writer in the country on your ass whether you're a #1, #2 guy or not .. unless you're Scott Brosius.

[charpotsss]

I'm not attached to Teix, I'm not much for wether he leaves or not. I'd love to keep him of course, but like everyone I have my own opinions. A higher chance to win a World Series with another team that can pay more? I dont see it that way, I believe we have equally as good a chance as any other team, with the exception of Boston of course...but everyones different so It comes down to the player...

i meant we are attached to teams, but players are not. they typically go where the money is.

and i don't necessarily think a higher paying team has a better chance to win the WS than we do.

[JCStone7]

Well Frank Wren avoided arbitration with Teix.

http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/braves/stories/2008/01/17/tex_0118.html

Hopefully they moved in the right direction and got on good terms with Teix and Boras. (I know, wishful thinking)

[vnodnarb]

It's not much but...

http://fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/mlb?page=5

Braves (http://fannation.com/tags/show_tag/47) Nation can only hope future negotiations go so smoothly with the slugger's agent. "I don't know that it signals that, I just know that we'll continue working at [a contract extension]," said Braves (http://fannation.com/tags/show_tag/47) GM Frank Wren, who has had plenty of recent conversations with Teixiera's famously hard-driving agent, Scott Boras.

[carolinainsider]

something i hope we can get done. do we see our payroll getting bigger in the next few years.

[Tex4Prez]

i think what liberty media is trying to do is give their buyers down the road a good product so they have to plug in the money to show that the braves can win and attract good buyers so they can get the most money possible. i think now that JS has left as a GM of the braves Boras isn't so hesitant to talk with us anymore. FW is doing an awesome job right now for his first offseason as the braves GM and im sure that everyone will love this guy if he can get a longterm contract done for Tex. Just my 2 cents

[JCStone7]

Frank Wren has been the one negotiating with agents for years now Tex4Prez. Schuerholz had it with agents so he left the agent dealings with his assistant GM's.

[ToddT]

tex would be a great long term for the braves

[GrandMasterB]

tex would be a great long term for the braves

http://home.comcast.net/~rcmerritt/images/web/captain-obvious.jpg

:D

[ToddT]

thanks for the nod:eek:

[BF91]

Well, since this has be resurrected, I'll put in my two cents. I think we'll get it done. A new face in the front office with Wren will give us a few things Schuerholz wouldn't. Like a working relationship with Scott Boras. Or the ability to give out no-trade clauses. I think Schueholz stepped away from the GM job because he knew that his way of doing business no longer would work with today's agents. Plus, Liberty is out to sell the Braves in a few years anyways, and who would want to buy a losing team? Liberty will give Wren a larger budget to work with, allowing us to sign Tex.

[JCStone7]

Well, since this has be resurrected, I'll put in my two cents. I think we'll get it done. A new face in the front office with Wren will give us a few things Schuerholz wouldn't. Like a working relationship with Scott Boras. Or the ability to give out no-trade clauses. I think Schueholz stepped away from the GM job because he knew that his way of doing business no longer would work with today's agents. Plus, Liberty is out to sell the Braves in a few years anyways, and who would want to buy a losing team? Liberty will give Wren a larger budget to work with, allowing us to sign Tex.

So you think FW will not use the no no-trade clause rule that Schuerholz was famous for never giving?

[BF91]

I think so. Although Wren is Schuerholz protege, Wren is his own man. No-trade clauses are potential deal breakers when it comes down to big-name players like Tex. Maybe Wren won't have to give Tex one, but Boras has been pretty adament about getting one for him. I think Wren realizes that giving the no-trade clause to Tex and others would be in the club's best interest.

[Hobbes]

I think so. Although Wren is Schuerholz protege, Wren is his own man.
He still reports to Schuerholz. If Wren gives a no-trade to Teix, it's because JS told him to.

[carolinainsider]

heres hoping we can keep tex especially since we mortaged our top prospects to get him. i loved elvis and salty but realized we had to do it.

[ToddT]

salty is gonna have a great season this year

[SamtheBravesFan]

salty is gonna have a great season this year

I kind of doubt that. He's still going to have to fight with Gerald Laird for the starting job as of this moment. Plus, even if he has a full-time starting job, I would have to guess that his stats would look a bit like Jeff Francoeur's in 2006 but with a tiny bit less power, at best.

Realistically, I think we can see an average season from him; nothing that will make us wish we had him back.

[ToddT]

the rangers will make plenty of playing time for salty. i forsee good things.

[McCarroll21]

the rangers will make plenty of playing time for salty. i forsee good things.
I'll take their manager's word over yours. :)

Word is that they aren't sold on his defensive ability (calling a game) and aren't going to keep him in the majors to be a backup. If he doesn't win the job, he's going to Triple-A (http://www.baseballtalkonline.com/2008/02/15/rangers-catching-job-to-be-an-open-competition/).

[chip&smoltz95]

I'll take their manager's word over yours. :)

Word is that they aren't sold on his defensive ability (calling a game) and aren't going to keep him in the majors to be a backup. If he doesn't win the job, he's going to Triple-A (http://www.baseballtalkonline.com/2008/02/15/rangers-catching-job-to-be-an-open-competition/).


geez, based on that it sounds like the braves traded him at a good time.

[BF91]

Like I've stated before I hope and think the Braves can extend him, but what are our options at 1B if we can't?

[JayDonnelly10]

Like I've stated before I hope and think the Braves can extend him, but what are our options at 1B if we can't?

Scott Thorman....?

Freddie Freeman in a few years!

[rover]

Just to play devil's advocate, and this is certainly no reason not to resign Teixeira, but lets take a look at some of our better prospects: Schaefer, Heyward, & Gorkys, with Brandon Jones flirting with the ML this year.

I think Heyward will end up at 1B, but that is just a hunch. I would love to see Brandon Jones do well and earn the starting job, but I would like to think that we could get production out of both Shaefer and Gorkys, of which I would think one of the two could play LF.

Like I said, having a prospect like Heyward (who I think will be an absolute stud, but may or may not play 1B), should not and can not affect our decision on whether or not to re-sign Teixeira, but it is certainly in the back of mind as to who could replace him (down the road, at least).

[JCStone7]

If I'm not mistaken Heyward started as a 1B, but to justify not re-signing a proven All-Star Gold Glover cuz you have a stud rookie-baller is ridiculous IMO.

[BGarrett7]

Jones will be lucky to finish the season still a part of the Braves organization. He's pretty much just gotta play good enough to not kill his trade value, and he'll be dealt elsewhere at the deadline for someone who will actually be of use to the team.

Schafer still has a long way to go before he's what everyone wants him to be. He's already got over 1,200 professional plate appearances and has yet to see a single inning above High-A ball.

As for Jason Heyward, right now, I've got about the same expectations for him to develop into ML-caliber talent as I hold for myself. He isn't turning 19 until August and has less than 50 pro trips to the plate. That means absolutely nothing in terms of projecting the future. The best thing to do with him at this point is to treat him as though he simply doesn't exist.

And Gorkys will likely end up as a fourth outfielder somewhere, if not Atlanta. Unless he can turn into an absolute OBP machine who can steal 50+ bases at a 90% clip, his lack of power is going to insanely limit his ML value.

And... Well, that's all I've gotta add...

[JCStone7]

So basically, BG and I are in agreeance about Heyward as of now.

[McCarroll21]

Yeah. I think eventually, if all works out with our prospects, we'll see this kind of thing...

Gorkys in center.
Schafer in left.
Jeff in right.
Heyward at first.
Brandon Jones in another organization.

However, Gorkys and Heyward both have three more years ... at minimum, in my opinion ... before that becomes a reality. I think Schafer could be with the Braves at any point between May 2008 to June/July 2009. It all depends on Kotsay and how Schafer reacts to Double-A.

As of right now, the only reason I think Thorman is still with the team is due to the fact that Teixeira is an impending free agent.

The good thing is that if Jeff, Brian, Kelly and either Lillibridge or Yunel can keep improving through their arbitration years, filling first base in the lineup won't be TOO much of a task. I'm not a fan of them, but a good platoon can fill the first base position if the rest of your lineup is as good as what the Braves lineup should prove to be.

[JCStone7]

I'm not a fan of them, but a good platoon can fill the first base position if the rest of your lineup is as good as what the Braves lineup should prove to be.

Just like that Thorman/Wilson platoon?

[rover]

In case I didn't clarify it enough in my original post, let me do it again: we should not base our decision to re-sign Teixeira on prospects. However, while I respect your opinion BGarrett, that is just too "glass is half empty" for me.

Schaefer has always had good potential, and has shown signs (to just about every scout) that he is beginning to tap into that potential. While you are correct, that means jack-squat for us right now, we can't not assume he won't continue his path and make it to the ML.

And while Heyward has even less to be judged upon, he has not shown a single reason as to why he can't live up to his insane potential. Will he be the left-handed Derrick Lee that he is projected to be? Maybe, maybe not. But again, he is one of our top prospects, and he has shown more reasons why he will be great than reasons why he will not.

Gorkys is a bit trickier, because like you said, he has no power. But that does not mean he doesn't have other skills to supplement a weakness. He is young, so there is still a while to go for him, but for a 19 year old, he looks good.

I guess we are just viewing these guys differently, but I really see a lot in these guys, especially Heyward. He has already shown patience at the plate, yet great power. I have really high hopes for the kid.

[McCarroll21]

Just like that Thorman/Wilson platoon?
A good platoon, not one that has half the platoon with an injury that requires shoulder surgery and another getting his first real look at the big leagues. Look at Thorman's track record. He normally struggles when he splits a level, but then when he gets a legit shot at that level he'll kill it.

[vnodnarb]

I won't be surprised if Wilson bounces back now that he is healthy, he really isn't that bad of a hitter.

[godofwar]

MC, great, great job on breaking that down. I, too, really hope that Wren is able to get a deal done with Tex, so that all of the prospects given up were not for a short rental.

JH

[Corvette]

I hope that we sign Teixeira long term, and by 2010 Heyward takes over in left. By that time, Brandon Jones may have his trade value up and we can deal him like we did LaRoche.

[JayDonnelly10]

I hope that we sign Teixeira long term, and by 2010 Heyward takes over in left. By that time, Brandon Jones may have his trade value up and we can deal him like we did LaRoche.

Brandon Jones may not even be on the roster by the end of the season...less chance hes still around in 2010

[chip&smoltz95]

everyone seems pretty sure that b. jones is not gonna be around. so where does that leave the future of the OF?

rf- french(assuming a long term deal is done)
cf- kotsay to schafer OR kotsay to anderson to schafer
lf- diaz/b.jones to diaz/lillibridge, to heyward?

is hernandez gonna to be in the running for cf or mainly lf? i am assuming that blanco is not gonna see much time above AAA.

[JCStone7]

First of all, excuse my french!

But fucking damn it I want this man under a long-term deal so I couldn't fathom a description. Andruw Jones is my favorite player but I know when it's time to cut ties, but Teix needs to be a Brave!!! Teix is saying the right things and Boras is pulling his normal routine in wanting Teix to become a free agent.

So, that being said, I'm looking forward to 2008 with Teix and in constant vigile that Teix will re-sign in 2009!

[JayDonnelly10]

First of all, excuse my french!

But fucking damn it I want this man under a long-term deal so I couldn't fathom a description. Andruw Jones is my favorite player but I know when it's time to cut ties, but Teix needs to be a Brave!!! Teix is saying the right things and Boras is pulling his normal routine in wanting Teix to become a free agent.

So, that being said, I'm looking forward to 2008 with Teix and in constant vigile that Teix will re-sign in 2009!

Re-signing Teix and giving Frenchy a contract before Spring Training ends would make me one happy Braves fan!

[BF91]

Tex, Frenchy, McCann, KJ, Escobar, and Schafer are the current future (wait, thats slightly oxymoronic, oh well) of this team. Frenchy and Tex both signing long-term deals would possibly make me the happiest Braves fan in the world. I think eventually Yunel could become the starting 3B (after Hoss retires, of course) and Lilli would be the SS. Just put Heyward in LF and you have the Braves line-up in about 3 or 4 years time.