MLB's trade deadline of tomorrow got off to a big start yesterday.
Free-agent-to-be first baseman and switch-hitting power hitter Mark "Big Tex" Teixeira was traded from the Atlanta Braves to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (god, I loathe that name) yesterday for first baseman Casey Kotchman and pitching prospect Stephen Marek.
Teixeira will provide a big boost to the Angels' lineup, especially to Vlad Guerrero who could use just a little more protection in the order than either teammates Torri Hunter or Garret Anderson can currently provide. Vlad has been struggling this year, in part, due to the lack of protection. The addition of Big Tex will no doubt help.
Big Tex, however, is nothing more than a half-season, rent-a-player as he's a free agent at the end of the season. But that's OK. This move is about winning this year for Angels, who currently (and quietly) own baseball's best record. And boy, does it send a big message to the Red Sox, White Sox, Rays and Yankees that, coupled with their very nice pitching staff, the Halos are the team to beat for the AL Pennant.
This off-season, mega-agent Scott Boras' will be looking to score a mega-$125mil+ deal for Big Tex. And that's being conservative.
Who the suitors for Big Tex's services will be is hard to say at this point, but the current front runner has to be--you guessed it--the Yankees. The Mets could be in the Teixeira sweepstakes, too, as they need to replace the rapidly diminishing skills of Carlos Delgado. Another strong contender could be the Dodgers. The dark horses are far too many to list at this point.
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