Report: Angels withdraw offer to Teixeira

Dec 21, 2008 - 11:40 PM SUNNYVALE, California (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim withdrew their offer to free agent slugger Mark Teixeira, according to a published report Sunday.

Citing a source close to the negotiations, Yahoo! Sports reported that the Angels "do not intend to continue negotiations with his agent."

Anaheim had offered Teixeira an eight-year contract at the Winter Meetings in Las Vegas earlier this month. The offer was believed to be worth at least $160 million and possibly as much as $180 million over the duration of the deal.

The 28-year-old Teixeira is perhaps the most-coveted free agent on the market, garnering interest from a number of clubs.

A Maryland native, the slugging first baseman had been rumored to be considering the Baltimore Orioles and Washington Nationals. The powerhouse duo of the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees also have expressed interest.

The Red Sox, however, have backed off according to owner John Henry, who said Thursday his team is "not going be a factor."

Teixeira was acquired by the Angels in a July 29 deal with the Atlanta Braves last season and had 13 homers and 43 RBI in 54 games. Overall, he finished the season with a .308 average, 33 homers and 121 RBI.

It marked the fifth straight 30-homer, 100-RBI season for Teixeira.