While rumors continue to swirl over what airport Mark Teixeira will be landing at in a few days, there is still a faction of Atlanta Braves fans that hope he won't be headed anywhere. Andrew Marks runs the website KeepTeixeira.com and offers his take below:
"There
is endless speculation that the Atlanta Braves will move Mark Teixeira
before the trade deadline, but in my opinion, the Braves would be
making a colossal error if they go ahead and trade him.
"Sure,
the Braves are 7 1/2 games out in the NL East, but it's not like
they're far away from contending in future seasons. Even Teixeira said
he was thrilled to pack his bags and leave Texas last year to see if he
could win with Atlanta. He hasn't been given the full opportunity to
prove his ultimate worth to the franchise yet, so why would the Braves
ship him out after only one year and not get a lot — Chad Tracy? — in return?
"Especially when they gave up Jarrod Saltalamacchia and four prospects for him?
"OK,
so Teixeira will demand a hefty contract come free agency and talks
between Scott Boras and the Braves management won't be pretty. But
without him, the Braves would have to fill a huge hole at first base.
They will have to resort in sending up Scott Thorman from the minors and he has shown spectators that he can lift his feet off the ground when he swings ... instead of the ball.
"Tex is one of the premier first baseman and is capable of around 30
HR and 120 RBI every season. As retirement age creeps closer for Chipper Jones,
he'd sew up one of Atlanta's corners and bolster their power numbers
for years. Letting him go without at least an attempt to resign him in
the offseason would be a huge mistake."