MLB Trade Insider - Mark Teixeira to Diamondbacks?
The news today from my inside source is that Mark Teixeira may be traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The players the Diamondbacks would have to give up include pitcher Jarrod Parker and first baseman Chad Tracy. Pitcher Max Scherzer has also been mentioned in some rumors, but he is not likely to be a part of this deal.
The Diamondbacks (53-51) are just one game up on the Dodgers in the NL West, and the Braves (49-55) are seven games back and in forth place in the NL East. Teixeira becomes a free agent at the end of the season.
The Red Sox, Rays, and Angels are believed to be interested in Teixeira as well, but the Diamondbacks are most likely. The Angels won’t trade Casey Kotchman, and the Red Sox wouldn’t want to trade Kevin Youkilis or have to bench him in place of Teixeira.
Players mentioned:
Arizona:
Chad Tracy, 1B
5th year in the majors, .303 avg, 6 HR, 27 RBI, 145 AB (At Right)
Jarrod Parker, SP
#9 pick 2007 draft, Single A South Bend Silver Hawks, 9-5, 4.04 ERA
Max Scherzer, SP/RP
#11 pick 2006 draft, 0-2, 10 games, 2.90 ERA this season in majors
Atlanta:
Mark Teixeira, 1B
.280, 20 HR, 77 RBI, .505 slugging
Popularity: 11% [?]
Interesting. Originally it was believed the Braves wouldn’t make a deal with the D’backs unless Connor Jackson was part of the package. But if your source says they would be okay with Chad Tracy then it looks like they’ve softened their stance. For Arizona I wouldn’t make this deal unless I only have to give up one decent player (like Tracy). Teixiera is going to ask for huge money, and Arizona is a mid-market team. Plus they are trying to re-sign Orlando Hudson as well as give pitchers Brandon Webb and Dan Haren new multi-year deals. So if I’m the D’backs I just don’t think it’s worth it for a two month, maybe three month rental. My guess is they won’t make the deal.
Just a nitpick — It’s “Tracy.” And I think you have to include Conor Jackson in this, even though the DBacks say they won’t trade him. I also think the Braves would be stupid to just do it for Tracy and Parker.
My source confirmed that the D-Backs won’t be trading Jackson. There’s not enough interest among the other teams to raise the stakes.