Report: Red Sox near deal with Teixeira

Dec 23, 2008 - 7:21 PM WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- The Washington Times is reporting that Mark Teixeira is likely to sign with the Boston Red Sox.

A major league baseball source told the newspaper that an announcement is expected Tuesday, and that there are "strong indications" that the Red Sox have landed the free-agent first baseman.

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

A Maryland native, Teixeira had been rumored to be considering Boston, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, the Baltimore Orioles and Washington Nationals. The New York Yankees also were said to be lurking.

The Orioles dropped out of the process last week and the Angels reportedly withdrew their eight-year contract offer over the weekend, leaving the Red Sox and Nationals in the running.

The Red Sox gave the impression they were out of the Teixeira sweepstakes last Thursday when owner John Henry told the media his team is "not going be a factor."

It has been widely speculated, however, that Henry was simply drawing a line in the sand with Teixeira's agent, Scott Boras.

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 - his fifth straight 30-homer, 100-RBI season.