Yankees Sign Mark Teixeira in $180 Million, 8-Year Deal

What recession: Yankees are spending away! The Bronx Bombers have offered Mark Teixeira an 8-year deal worth $180 million. The Daily News says, "Out of nowhere, the Yankees have swooped in and have reached a preliminary deal" with the first baseman. The Post adds, it's "a way to keep him away from the Red Sox and to improve their team in 2009"—the Yanks "stepped in late in the negotiating process... Teixeira instantly becomes the Yankees' No. 3 hitter, behind Derek Jeter and in front of Alex Rodriguez. It addresses both offensive and defensive issues that were pressing for the Yankees in the upcoming season." The deal includes a $5 million signing bonus and a no-trade clause, which is unusual because the Yankees "have had a steadfast policy against giving no-trade clauses," per the News.

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By Jen Chung in News on December 23, 2008 5:15 PM

Comments [rss]

r1b2

I am a Mets fan, and I support this decision. This is a great move by the Yanks, and good for NY baseball.

jaycjay

Here's an interesting perspective: "MLB's revenues have been exploding since 2003 and player salaries have simply not matched this increase in revenues. In 2003, players in baseball made 63% of league revenues. In 2008, that number appears to be 52% of league revenues, or less than any of the other major professional leagues in the US, which all have salary caps."

This guy's point essentially is that the Yankees aren't the problem. It's the other teams choosing [b]not[/b] to reinvest the same part of their corporations' income back into player salaries that is creating the disparity in payrolls.

http://www.baseballthinkfactory.org/files/oracle/discussion/yankees_signed_teixeira/

It's a good insight for anyone who has a serious interest in the economics of pro sports. Probably a boring read, though, for those who just like to rant.

JMH

"if the yankees can afford this kind of payroll, why are the taxpayers of NY financing their stadium?"

That's what I'd like to know. If Little Stein wants to spend his daddy's money like this, that's his business, but we shouldn't be giving him tax breaks to do it.

MFer

What's the point, you ask? I'll tell you. Because all the money spent doesn't equate to winning. And they will still struggle. Just like the mid-80s Yankees.

Don't let money color you pinstripes green. Forget the money and you'll see an average team. And they still suck--and, if you are fan, still worth rooting for.

They will never win as long as A-Rod is around. That's call being Arodded. Congratulations. You've been Teixeirized.

JenChungsBaby

The overall payroll will be lower? Maybe. I'll take your word for it. But I bet the guys who are actually on the field will be making more than the guys who were actually on the field last year. And they're going to have I believe the top 4 highest paid players in the game.

Again, where's the fun in all this? I've been a Yankee fan since the days of Nettles, Rivers, Gamble, Chambliss and Dent. But the thrill is gone. It's no fun winning like this and it's miserable when they lose like this. What's the point?

jaycjay

"I hope they finish in last place..."

Hope all you want. It's not going to happen.

NannyState

Either he has 100+ RBI seasons here or it's money -and fans down the toilet.

whitecastlerock

Teixeira is a me first player-fuck him and these cocksucking Yankees. I hope they finish in last place...

zyskandar

With 'the agreement ib principle to a deal' with the switch-hitting first baseman MARK TEIXEIRIA coupled with the earlier signings of C.C. SABATHIA & A.J. BURNETT(and the anticipated resigning of veteran ANDY PETTITE) have the NYYankees staked themselves to another pennant for their new stadium??? TRUE - THEY DO HAVE HOLES AND QUESTIONS WITH THEIR LINE-UP. CATCHING AND THE OUTFIELD POSITIONS. What will the season bring??? Ah BEISBOL always a question of performance and what players will do. [By the way for certain BEISBOL PLAYERS - there is never a 'recession'!!!]

GaryK

if the yankees can afford this kind of payroll, why are the taxpayers of NY financing their stadium? this is outrageous. Bloompig and Daddy's Boy Paterson are increasing taxes on every person in new york, why do the Steinbrenners and Wilpons get such a break? Because big business owns government.

rooting for the yankees is like rooting for Goldman Sachs.

Toby von Meistersinger

Can't we go back to the time when baseball players earned money in line with the rest of us?

Some of the greatest players of all time, like Yogi Berra, actually had real jobs during the off season. Now we have these rich prima donnas.

jaycjay

"And so if the Yankees win by outspending their opponents even more than they did before, am I supposed to applaud?"

That likely will remain a rhetorical question, because even with the Teixiera signing the team's payroll actually projects to be lower than it was last season.

jaycjay

"have had a steadfast policy against giving no-trade clauses"

Just because the Daily News says it doesn't make it true. Some actual research shows this probably incomplete list of current Yankees for whom this "steadfast policy" is not in place:

Alex Rodrigues

Derek Jeter

CC Sabathia

A.J. Burnett

Mariano Rivera

Jorge Posada

Johnny Damon

Hideki Matsui

Nick Swisher

Not full no trade in every case, but all of them have at least the option to veto some trades. And, yes, there are full no-trade clauses in there.

palestine

Fuck the Yankees. I dont want to pay for your shit.

drewo

Tampa Bay repeating as divsion champs next year will now be even more enjoyable.

JenChungsBaby

And so if the Yankees win by outspending their opponents even more than they did before, am I supposed to applaud? Where's the fun in all this?