http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/6788/newsJul 14 Updating a previous report, Gordon Edes, of The Boston Globe, reports the Boston Red Sox are in talks with the Atlanta Braves regarding 1B Mark Teixeira and more talks are likely to take place before the trading deadline July 31, according to major league sources.
Jul 14 Boston has talked to Atlanta about acquiring Teixeira, with the Braves asking for Kevin Youkilis and Craig Hansen in a deal, the Boston Globe reports.
Recommendation: Teixeira is a free agent at the end of the season, so the Braves may look to deal him if they fade further from the playoff race before the July 31 trade deadline. Boston may be feeling out the cost of potential replacements for David Ortiz if he's unable to return from a wrist injury.
In my opinion, this most likely means one of two things:
1) Ortiz is more hurt than the Sox are letting on.
2) The Sox are trying to drive up the price to aquire Teixeira as the Yanks and the Rays are both interested parties.
Youkilis still seems like a very valuable player to me due to his defense and his position versatility. I'm not sure of his contract status though. He might be eligible for a big pay day soon. Plus there was the incident with Manny during the Rays game a month or so ago.