O's Get Back in the Teixeira Mix

Scott Boras must be loving life right now as 4 Major League teams are involved in a pissing contest over Mark Teixeira. Washington still has the highest bid with the Angels and Red Sox right behind. The Orioles have "survived" the initial give and take and are now in the mix with a 7 year $150 million offer. The Red Sox are discussing the possibility of offering 8 years. Just to stir the pot a little the Yankees are meeting with Boras tonight to discuss Lowe but they will say they were talking about Teixeira. This is looking like it will come to a head before teams depart Vegas tomorrow.

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Evening Winter Meetings Update Day 3

The Nationals have offered Mark Teixeira an 8 year deal that the Red Sox and Angels will probably not top, so it is up to Tex if he wants $ or glory.

The Yankees are offering A.J. Burnett a 5 year deal, that's right 5 YEARS!!! That is way to long for anyone other than Hank to even consider offering.

The Red Sox have made and offer to Jason Varitek.

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Tito Is Out of the Loop on Red Sox Negotiations

The Red Sox may be skilled at spin and "misdirections" as the Herald reports but they need to fill in Tito when he is away from the blackjack table to stick to the talking points. Look at this from USA Today:

"Did you meet with C.C. (Sabathia)?" the reporter asked.

Francona: "Did I? No, not to my knowledge. Did Theo (Epstein, Red Sox general manager) say we did?"

Reporter "I haven't seen Theo."

Francona: "I haven't done much, to be honest with you. I would bet that Theo is checking in with everybody. I'm answering that a little bit vaguely because I don't know exactly what he did."

Reporter: "But were you part of the group that met with C.C.?"

Francona: "I was upstairs. I didn't do much today."

Reporter: "So, no, you were not part of it?"

Francona: "I'm pleading the fifth on that one only because I don't know. I apologize. That's a weak answer. What did Theo say?"

Reporter: "He said he met with a free agent but he didn't say who."

Francona: "That's what I say. That's my answer. I said, 'Theo, I need to talk to you before I go out and talk to the media,' and I whiffed on him."

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Theo Talks Catchers - Video

Theo Epstein discusses the catching market and the Winter Meetings on NESN, watch below:

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The Latest From Vegas

If the Angels are in on Teixeira then they need to get busy because they have not made an offer yet. They may loose out on Tex and Sabathia. Maybe they need to follow Brian Cashman to see where the action is.

Brian Cashman has left his hotel room for a super-secret meeting according the the Star Ledger:

UPDATE (8:57 pm): A person familiar with the situation just told me the Cashman meeting may not be with Burnett after all. Another person suggested the meeting was with Derek Lowe, adding that it was definitely not with Sabathia or Sheets. I'll keep at it, folks. We'll get this yet.

I think the secret meeting might be at the Spearmint Rhino...what happens in Vegas

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Winter Meetings Day 2

Last night Theo Epstein told the Boston media it is unlikely the Red Sox will make any deals in Las Vegas. That being said there are a few new rumors this morning:

Extra Bases has the Sox interested in Pavano, Brad Penny, and says Gabe Kapler may be available as the fourth outfielder.

Ian Browne of MLB.com says Ramon Hernandez and Bengie Molina could both be options at catcher via trade.

Alex Speier of WEEI.com says the Red Sox scouted backup catcher Miguel Montero of the Diamondbacks and may be talking trade.

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Get Ready For Some Overused Betting Lingo

The Winter Meetings are fast approaching and this year they will be in Las Vegas. That's right, Vegas, baby, VEGAS! That means the print media and blogosphere will be filled with references to gambling through cheesy headlines. Look, it has already started and MLB.com leading the charge:

"Sox not rolling dice on major players"

"Bet on Yanks to go all in on pitching"

"Reds ready to let chips fall in Vegas"

"No Vegas vacation for Angels GM"

"Braves aim to leave Vegas with ace."

Who is the marketing genius at MLB who wrote the memo to all of its website beat reporters to play up the Vegas angle in the article? What are the odds that we see a "double-down" headline when a team picks up its second free agent at the meetings? or God forbid the Angels looking to keep Mark Teixeira leads to a "Teixeira Hold 'em" headline. Get ready, because what happens in Vegas is not going to stay in Vegas.

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GM Meetings Are Over

Theo is headed back to Boston with " a better feel for the landscape now, going forward. That may serve us well down the road.” The real action should heat up at the winter meetings in Las Vegas Dec. 8-11. Vegas baby Vegas.

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