Angels acquire Mark Teixeira

A year after the Los Angeles Angles of Anaheim of California of the United States of America of North America of planet Earth of the solar system of the universe of the Milky Way Galaxy struck out in their bid to acquire Mark Teixeira from the Texas Rangers, they finally got their man. On Tuesday, July 29, they traded first baseman Casey Kotchman and pitching prospect Stephen Marek to the Atlanta Braves in return for Teixeira.

This move adds thunder to an already loaded lineup. With Tex and Vladimir Guerrero, the Angels have a 3-4 combo rivaling the Boston duo of David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez. With this move, the Angels have added an offensive machine who is still in his prime at age 28. Since 2004, Teixeira has a .291 batting average, .381 on-base percentage, .546 slugging percentage and .927 OPS. and has averaged 35 homers and 40 doubles. Oh, he’s also a gold glove winner.

With the best record in MLB and a double digit lead in the AL West, the Angels have gone for the kill with this move, as it puts them in position to win the World Series. In addition, the Angels did not ask to negotiate an extension with Teixeira, although they will try to keep him. However, he is a client of Scott Boras, and now that he is an Angel he is nearby Boras, who will surely advise him to hit the market in the winter, as early reports indicate he will command at least 10 years and $230 million. Turns out he was smart to turn down that 8 year, $160 million offer from Texas last year before he was traded.