Henry: Red Sox out of Teixeira race

Dec 19, 2008 - 7:04 AM BOSTON (Ticker) -- Several owners are sprinting toward signing coveted free agent Mark Teixeira, and the Boston Red Sox have apparently run out of breath.

Red Sox principal owner John Henry on Thursday evening said his team is "not going be a factor" when it comes to inking the first baseman to a contract.

Multiple reports had claimed Boston and Teixeira, a client of Scott Boras, were closing in on a long-term deal.

"We met with Mr. Teixeira and were very much impressed with him," Henry said in an e-mail to members of the Boston media on Thursday. "After hearing about his other offers, however, it seems clear that we are not going to be a factor."

According to a published report by the Boston Globe, WCVB-TV Channel 5 reported that the Red Sox had offered Teixeira an eight-year deal worth $184 million (an average of $23 million per season).

Boras initially indicated he was seeking a 10-year, $200 million contract for the slugger who began his career with the Texas Rangers in 2003, and has 203 homers and 676 RBIs in six seasons.

Citing the Boston Herald, the Globe also reported that Henry wrote in an e-mail that the Red Sox would not give a 10-year contract to any free agent.

Teixeira was traded by the Atlanta Braves to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim midway through the 2008 season. The 28-year-old hit .358 and had 13 homers and 43 RBI in 54 games for the Angels.

He combined for 33 homers and 121 RBI with both clubs, reaching 30-plus homers and 100-plus RBI for the fifth consecutive season.