[EmpireWF]

Ken Rosenthal says the Orioles will be players for 1B Mark Teixiera when he becomes a free agent after the 2008 season. However, they'll have to contend with their cross-league rival, the Washington Nationals for his services. "The Orioles can't wait to make a play for Rangers first baseman Mark Teixeira, who could become a free agent after the 2008 season. But Teixeira, a native of Severna Park, Md., will have another option if he wishes to play close to home — the Nationals, who open their new ballpark in '08 and could score a public-relations coup by trumping the Orioles."

Interesting it seems both teams are preparing for the kid as a free agent in about two years.

[Lefty Noob]

Wow... shouldn't this be considered tampering? The guy's under contract for two more years. And come fall 2008, there may be a lot of teams bidding for his services, depending upon how he does and what happens to some of the other guys out there right now. Way too early to make your interest in a guy like this public.

[azrael492]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

Wow... shouldn't this be considered tampering? The guy's under contract for two more years. And come fall 2008, there may be a lot of teams bidding for his services, depending upon how he does and what happens to some of the other guys out there right now. Way too early to make your interest in a guy like this public.

That is what I was thinking. What are they doing making it public that they will make a run at a player 2 years in advance. Both teams should pay attention to this year. They are going to have enough trouble.

[EmpireWF]

I don't know if they made it public, or just Rosenthal found out and reported as much.

You won't hear any Oriole official saying they want to sign Mark Teixiera. Just look at Danny Ainge's fine from last week about possibly tampering.

[ThePundit]

I guess the Orioles haven't figured out that you win with pitching. Their target should be the best available free agent stud starting pitcher - not a hitter.