The Braves are on the verge of acquiring Rangers first baseman Mark Teixeira.
The deal is done, pending a review of the medical records of the players involved, according to major-league sources.
The Braves will receive Teixeira and left-handed reliever Ron Mahay.
The Rangers will receive catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Class A shortstop Elvis Andrus and two additional prospects.
One of the prospects is believed to be Class AA left-hander Matt Harrison.
The Rangers had been split on whether they wanted Harrison, in part because he recently experienced shoulder trouble.
However, Harrison underwent an MRI that revealed no damage, and the Rangers evidently are willing to take him despite their concerns.
The addition of Teixeira, 27, would dramatically transform the Braves' lineup, giving them a second switch-hitter with power to join third baseman Chipper Jones.
The Braves rank fifth in the National League in runs scored, but their on-base/slugging percentage at first base is the worst in the majors.
Teixeira, who does not become a free agent until after next season, also would give the Braves lineup protection against the likely departure of center fielder Andruw Jones as a free agent this off-season.
The Angels also made a strong bid for Teixeira, offering first baseman Casey Kotchman and left-hander Joe Saunders. They were willing to include a third player, but not at the level the Rangers were seeking, sources said.
The Diamondbacks and Dodgers also had been interested in Teixeira, but neither was willing to trump the Braves' proposal.
Saltalamacchia, 22, is perhaps the single best player the Rangers were offered, a switch-hitting catcher with power who offers more upside than Kotchman.
The Braves were reluctant to part with "Salty," who also can play first base. But they would have no place to play him if they had Teixeria through '08; catcher Brian McCann is signed through 2012 with a club option for '13.
Teixeira is earning $9 million this season, and his salary could rise to $12 million next season in his final year of arbitration.
It is almost certain he would not sign a contract extension before becoming a free agent; his agent, Scott Boras, prefers his clients' values to be determined on the open market.
However, Teixeira attended Georgia Tech in Atlanta and might be open to signing with the Braves long-term.
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7074846
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Rangers deal Teixeira to Braves
By Dave Sessions and Jim Reeves
Star-Telegram Staff Writers
In one of the most significant midseason moves in club history ? and one of the most anticipated ? the Rangers traded Mark Teixeira and left-handed reliever Ron Mahay to the Atlanta Braves on Monday for catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Class-A shortstop Elvis Andrus, 19-year-old right-hander Neftali Feliz and another pitching prospect to be determined, according to a Rangers source.
The deal is pending medical evaluations.
Baseball America rated Saltalamacchia as the Braves' No. 1 prospect and Andrus as the No. 2 prospect.
Teixeira, 27, was the Rangers' top selection selection in the 2001 draft, and the fifth overall pick. He has been one of their most productive, consistent players since breaking into the big leagues in 2003, hitting .283 with 153 home runs and 499 RBI.
But the Rangers doubted they'd have a chance to re-sign Teixeira -- a client of the notoriously demanding agent Scott Boras -- before he becomes a free agent after next season. The Rangers decided this deal, with the Braves, was their best opportunity to receive maximum value for Teixeira.
Saltalamacchia, 22, is hitting .284 with four home runs and 12 RBI in 47 games. He made his major-league debut May 2.
The Teixeira trade has been the subject of much speculation for months, but the chatter reached its peak over the past few days. Teixeira was regarded as the best player available on this season's trading block.
In recent weeks, Teixeira had refused to comment on the possibility of being traded, though there seemed to be scant chance that he would be a Ranger after the non-waiver trading deadline expired on July 31.
The Rangers go into their series with Cleveland on Tuesday without Teixeira, but he was not the only player to be dealt during the past week. Center fielder Kenny Lofton is now in the opponent?s clubhouse, having been sent to the Indians for Class A catcher Max Ramirez.
http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/story/185662.html
The deal is done, pending a review of the medical records of the players involved, according to major-league sources.
The Braves will receive Teixeira and left-handed reliever Ron Mahay.
The Rangers will receive catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Class A shortstop Elvis Andrus and two additional prospects.
One of the prospects is believed to be Class AA left-hander Matt Harrison.
The Rangers had been split on whether they wanted Harrison, in part because he recently experienced shoulder trouble.
However, Harrison underwent an MRI that revealed no damage, and the Rangers evidently are willing to take him despite their concerns.
The addition of Teixeira, 27, would dramatically transform the Braves' lineup, giving them a second switch-hitter with power to join third baseman Chipper Jones.
The Braves rank fifth in the National League in runs scored, but their on-base/slugging percentage at first base is the worst in the majors.
Teixeira, who does not become a free agent until after next season, also would give the Braves lineup protection against the likely departure of center fielder Andruw Jones as a free agent this off-season.
The Angels also made a strong bid for Teixeira, offering first baseman Casey Kotchman and left-hander Joe Saunders. They were willing to include a third player, but not at the level the Rangers were seeking, sources said.
The Diamondbacks and Dodgers also had been interested in Teixeira, but neither was willing to trump the Braves' proposal.
Saltalamacchia, 22, is perhaps the single best player the Rangers were offered, a switch-hitting catcher with power who offers more upside than Kotchman.
The Braves were reluctant to part with "Salty," who also can play first base. But they would have no place to play him if they had Teixeria through '08; catcher Brian McCann is signed through 2012 with a club option for '13.
Teixeira is earning $9 million this season, and his salary could rise to $12 million next season in his final year of arbitration.
It is almost certain he would not sign a contract extension before becoming a free agent; his agent, Scott Boras, prefers his clients' values to be determined on the open market.
However, Teixeira attended Georgia Tech in Atlanta and might be open to signing with the Braves long-term.
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7074846
====
Rangers deal Teixeira to Braves
By Dave Sessions and Jim Reeves
Star-Telegram Staff Writers
In one of the most significant midseason moves in club history ? and one of the most anticipated ? the Rangers traded Mark Teixeira and left-handed reliever Ron Mahay to the Atlanta Braves on Monday for catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Class-A shortstop Elvis Andrus, 19-year-old right-hander Neftali Feliz and another pitching prospect to be determined, according to a Rangers source.
The deal is pending medical evaluations.
Baseball America rated Saltalamacchia as the Braves' No. 1 prospect and Andrus as the No. 2 prospect.
Teixeira, 27, was the Rangers' top selection selection in the 2001 draft, and the fifth overall pick. He has been one of their most productive, consistent players since breaking into the big leagues in 2003, hitting .283 with 153 home runs and 499 RBI.
But the Rangers doubted they'd have a chance to re-sign Teixeira -- a client of the notoriously demanding agent Scott Boras -- before he becomes a free agent after next season. The Rangers decided this deal, with the Braves, was their best opportunity to receive maximum value for Teixeira.
Saltalamacchia, 22, is hitting .284 with four home runs and 12 RBI in 47 games. He made his major-league debut May 2.
The Teixeira trade has been the subject of much speculation for months, but the chatter reached its peak over the past few days. Teixeira was regarded as the best player available on this season's trading block.
In recent weeks, Teixeira had refused to comment on the possibility of being traded, though there seemed to be scant chance that he would be a Ranger after the non-waiver trading deadline expired on July 31.
The Rangers go into their series with Cleveland on Tuesday without Teixeira, but he was not the only player to be dealt during the past week. Center fielder Kenny Lofton is now in the opponent?s clubhouse, having been sent to the Indians for Class A catcher Max Ramirez.
http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/story/185662.html
