Nationals make eight-year offer to Teixeira

Dec 11, 2008 - 7:59 PM LAS VEGAS (Ticker) -- The Washington Nationals would like to make Mark Teixeira the face of their franchise.

According to a report on MLB.com, the Nationals have offered the first baseman an eight-year, $160 million contract.

Nationals general manager Jim Bowden confirmed the club had made an offer to the prized free agent, but wouldn't discuss dollar figures, the report said.

"We made a very concrete offer and Teixeira is our No. 1 priority," Bowden said at the winter meetings. "I tried to be up front and honest. We are trying to build this club through development and scouting, through young players, through trades for young players. We also said if it was a free agent who was young and in his 20s, (we would want him) to be part of the long-term solution."

Before the Nationals can start selling Teixeira jerseys, however, they will have to outbid numerous other teams for the best offensive player available on the open market.

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees also are interested in Teixeira. The Orioles reportedly offered the Maryland native a seven-year, $150 million deal.

In his prime, the 27-year-old Teixeira hit a combined .321 with 33 homers and 121 RBI for the Atlanta Braves and Angels last season. He is a career .290 hitter with 203 homers and 676 RBI in 904 games.

If the Nationals are able to sign Teixeira, he would fit into the middle of the Washington lineup along with third baseman and rising star Ryan Zimmerman for a club which finished 28th in runs scored last season.

In an interview with ESPN last month, Teixeira said he was hopeful he would sign a new contract by Christmas. Powerful agent Scott Boras said he was unsure if his client would sign by then.