Teixeira

[smallface99]

What's the deal with the kid for the year. It keeps changing. Will he be in the line-up opening day?...in the minors?...what position? Anyone heard the latest?
Jon

[The Natural]

He could possibly DH or play 3rd if Blalock falters again. He will take grounders at first this spring. He may be starting the season in AAA. Watch the situation this spring. It is still up in the air.

[Guest]

He's brutal defensively at third. I don't see Showalter having much patience with him. With Perry and Blaylock ahead of him and Texas having a roster full of DH's I look for him to start at AAA. If he hits a ton in the minors they'll work him in the DH rotation, especially if they start dumping salary by the break.

[shizzlemynizzle]

I think his days at 3b are over. He will move to 1b and eventually push Raffy to DH.

[John Bonzo]

I agree with shizzlemynizzle.

the rumors about trying Blalock at 2b and tex at 3b are merely rumors...why take an excellent defensive 3b (blalock), replace an excellent defensive 2b (young), and end up with a not good defensive 3b (tex) and (inexperienced at any level) 2b (blalock).

[Brendo]

i would stay away from him like a girl with a cold sore......remember what blalock did last year?????

fantasy owners were trading 30-save closers to get him he was hyped up so much, and went in most drafts 10 rounds before robin ventura or joe randa......and if he proves me wrong, I'll draft him next year....too much competition, and not a friendy manager.....STAY AWAY

[silentmist]

when they trade him as part of the beltran deal they want to pull off you will scratch him off every list you ever had =)

[ScurvyDog]

He could be traded, but I don't think so ... I am going to take the other side of this argument. I think he was rushed to the majors and struggled - when they sent him back down he shined - again. I see him having a really good year - good meaning the type of year Carlos Pena put up last year with a better average. In 2004, he is the next Pat Burrell.

This kid is too good to fail - he needs time. I hope Texas gives it to him.

[The Guru_fbc]

he needs another year, don't risk a chance this year

[mcqfesijiba]

He will almost definitely start our in AAA, unless he absolutely tears it up in Spring Training. Even then they'll send him to AAA for at least a month. Barring injury he will be in the Majors no later than the day after the All-Star break.

Non-keeper leagues should almost definitely not draft him. There are a lot better choices out there at 3B for a one year league. However the choice for keeper leaguers is a little tougher. I think he could be producing huge as soon as next season, and maybe some decent streaks in the second half of this year.