Yanks make it rain, drop $180 mil on Tex

So, this happened.

The other shoe has dropped on the Mark Teixeira sweepstakes, and it has fallen squarely on the big toe of the Toronto Blue Jays organization. And it's a giant, steel-toed boot. Not only has the return on Burnett’s departure been reduced to a third-round pick, but we also have to deal with Tex eighteen times next summer.

The A.J. and C.C. signings were one thing. A.J.’s injury history is, suffice to say, well documented. As is his propensity towards being a reckless headcase who wilts under pressure. In three years, he’ll be sleeping in a hyperbaric chamber or a padded cell (right arm, or fragile psyche – which will snap first?!). The Sabathia deal, I can see playing out one of two ways. Either he pitches well, opts out after three and flees to the left coast, or his ungodly workload from last year catches up to him and he lands on the DL, cold lamping like Jabba the Hutt (or Carl Pavano).

This Teixeira, though. He’s different. He has no significant injury history. His career OPS+ is 134. He’s hit at least 30 bombs each year since 2004. He actually walks almost as much as he strikes out. His careers OPS against the Jays pitching? 1.453. And he’s one of the best defensive one-baggers in the game, posting an 11.7 UZR last year. He’s only 27, and unlike chuckers like A.J., power-hitting first basemen tend to remain consistent through their mid-thirties. There’s no opt-out clause in the deal, either, which means, barring a trade, he’s in pinstripes for the next eight years.

All I have to say is…

“It’s not fair.”

Recommended reading:
"Bolting the Barn Door on Burnett" @ The Mockingbird
Mark Teixeira @ FanGraphs
"Weighing in on Sabathia" @ Rob Neyer's blog