I love how no matter how hard I get each blog entry to look exactly as perfect as I can get it in its preview state that in the long run it doesn't mean anything. In my last post all those stats were lined up in a beautiful little OCD world and then WAM! I hit the publish button and everything is incredibly hard to read. Screw you blogger.
All right as promised my Teixeira blog. First things first the man is a Scott Boras client. Does Mark Teixeira deserve more money then A-Rod? No. More money than the man he would essentially be replacing, Manny Ramirez? Yes. I am fully supporting anywhere between 22 and 26.5 mil a season for a player of his caliber entering his prime years.
The question of years is another matter though. I heard rumor that Boras was asking the angels for a ten year contract which is just insane. Does Scott Boras remember what happened to his client A-Rod who opted out of his long contract with the Yankees last year (then re signed without Boras help essentially screwing him of his cut). Does Boras remember the last time a Red Sox had a long term contract? It was only a few months ago when Manny Ramirez was faking his way out of his long term contract 2 1/2 years early. Within one year two of the biggest & longest contracts on the books found ways through loop holes to end early.
Ten Years is insane, but Mark Teixeira will be just 29 when the new season gets rolling and is definitely the type worthy of a longer then usual contract. I would justify somewhere up to 6 years for him. I would be OK with a 7th year, but anything more then that and I would get a little sick to my stomach.
So why do we need him? A lot of people think are offense was fine with Jason Bay replacing Manny. Don't get me wrong at all I love Jason Bay and hopes he re-ups with the team, but Jason does not make up for the offense we lost when Manny left. Its hard to gauge Manny's worth after last year. He was a very good player for us and then turned into and absolute beast in the national league. I don't know which Manny his new team will get or if it will be a whole new Manny yet again.
Either way we could not get past the Tampa Bay Rays this year and I totally believe we need a kick to our offense. Youkilis will still be good, but will he be as great as he was in '08? Same question is thrown out to Dustin Pedroia. What if David Ortiz doesn't bounce back? Can Mike Lowell recover from major hip surgery? Those are way too many questions to put our hopes around for another title. Mark Teixeira is simply the best and most obvious choice to fill our holes this year and to build around in the future.
Below (hopefully more organized then the last post) is a comparison of stats for Manny in '04 (Probably his last great healthy season as a Red Sox), Teixeira in '08, Jason Bay in '08 and Mike Lowell in '06 (Probably his most true to form season for us).
G R H HR RBI AVG. OBP. Win Share
Bay 155 111 165 31 101 .286 .373 25.6
Manny 152 108 178 43 130 .308 .397 24.1
Teixeira 157 102 177 33 121 .308 .410 27.8
Lowell 153 79 163 20 80 .284 .339 11.5
Yes, Jason Bay is only a few steps behind Manny, but Teixeira is right there and leagues above Mike Lowell. I do like Mike Lowell, but I honestly don't want to bet the farm on him for his final year in the contract. Mike Timlin didn't know when to throw in the towel and look what happened to him in '08. I don't want to see Mike Lowell coming back if he can't really do it and bring the team down more then help.
One of the things I always loved about Lowell was his great defense, but you saw at the end of the season how his injury was increased by his fielding. I can only think that his range will be hurt dramatically after an injury like the one he had. Yes, I know Youkilis won a gold glove at first, but he is equally good at third base and Teixeira has won 2 gold gloves.
A comparison of career fielding Stats for Teixeira and Youkilis (at 1b & 3b) and 2008 Al 3b gold glove winner Adrian Beltre. RF9 stands for range factor which is a handy stat some brainiacs have come up with. The lg in front of 2 of these stats means league average if given the same opportunities. For more crazy stats check out the Hardball Times.
G E F.PCT lgFP RF9 LgRF9
Teixeira 853 31 .996 .994 9.84 7.97
Youk 1B 396 9 .997 .994 9.24 8.70
Youk 3B 154 14 .962 .955 2.94 2.69
Beltre 1553 191 .956 .956 2.82 2.71
As you can see Teixeira and Youk are on par at first although Mark might have a leg up on range. Youkilis numbers are just as good at the harder position of third. Teixeira would be worth nearly every penny. An upgrade in offense and defense. We have money to spend this year and I cannot think of another position that we can improve with free agent cash then 1b/3b. Next week I will weigh in on the catching conundrum and our many options for next year's rotation.
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