The Red Sox are making progress in their quest to sign free-agent first baseman Mark Teixeira, according to a major-league source. A rival general manager whose plans could be affected by the Red Sox’s addition of Teixeira also indicated that a deal was getting closer.
Teixeira is the Red Sox’s No. 1 offseason target. They view him as the perfect fit for the middle of their order.
Teixeira is seeking a 10-year contract for at least $20 million per season. The Red Sox preference would be to sign him to a deal between six and eight years. He hit 33 home runs and had 121 RBIs as a member of the Braves and Angels last season. Teixeira has never hit less than 26 homers in his six major-league seasons.