Yankees to introduce Teixeira on Tuesday

Jan 6, 2009 - 12:26 PM BRONX, New York (Ticker) -- The New York Yankees will unveil their newest offseason prize, Mark Teixeira, during a 1 p.m. news conference Tuesday.

The top position player on the free-agent market, Teixeira will be introduced two weeks after the Yankees rocked the baseball world by reaching an agreement with the first baseman on an eight-year, $180 million contract.

Teixeira, 28, reportedly had received lucrative contract offers from several teams, including the Boston Red Sox and Washington Nationals.

But despite not being considered a serious contender in the bidding process, the Yankees swooped in on December 23, when they lured in Teixeira with the fourth-richest contract in baseball history.

Tuesday's news conference, which will be held at the old Yankee Stadium, will take place less than three weeks after the Yankees officially brought in high-priced free agent pitchers CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett.

New York, reeling from missing the playoffs for the first time since 1993, have spent a whopping $423 million this winter on Teixeira, Sabathia (seven years, $161 million) and Burnett (five years, $82.5 million).

The frenzied spending spree sent a clear signal that the Yankees intend to be the team to beat when they opens play in their new stadium in 2009.

While Sabathia and Burnett were brought in to stabilize New York's shaky starting rotation, the switch-hitting Teixeira should bolster a lineup that already features Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter.

Rodriguez, a three-time American League MVP, and Jeter, a four-time World Series winner, previously received the three richest contracts in baseball history.

But despite all their star power, the Yankees finished third in the AL East last season behind Tampa Bay and Boston, posting an 89-73 record. The Yankees also had a major hole to fill at first base, a position that primarily had been manned by current free agent Jason Giambi over the last seven years.

The first-base void should be aptly filled by Teixeira, who helped the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim post the best record in the majors and win the AL West last season.

Teixeira was acquired by the Angels from the Atlanta Braves on July 29 last season and clubbed 13 homers and 43 RBI in 54 games with Anaheim. He batted .467 in the AL Division Series against Boston.

Overall, Teixeira finished the season with a .308 average, 33 homers and 121 RBI - his fifth straight 30-homer, 100-RBI season.

The No. 5 overall pick of Texas in 2001, Teixeira spent his first 4 1/2 seasons with the Rangers, slamming 43 homers and driving in 144 runs - both career highs - in 2005.

A durable player who has appeared in at least 145 games in five of his six career seasons, including back-to-back 162-game seasons in 2005 and 2006, Teixeira is a career .290 hitter with 203 homers and 676 RBI in 904 games.