The Teixeira Trail

Now that Mark Teixeira has had 3 different addresses in a year, let’s examine the wake.

Trade #1

The Braves traded their 3 top prospects to the Rangers. #1 prospect, Catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, no longer a prospect as he is has spent the majority of the season with the Rangers. This made sense because the catching position is somewhat solidified for the foreseeable future because of Brian McCann. #2 prospect, Shortstop Elvis Andrus, who started this season as the #1 overall prospect with the Rangers. On the season, Elvis is hitting .290 with 4 HR and 56 RBI in 105 games and has played the whole season with the Frisco RoughRiders of the Texas League. #3 prospect, LHP Matt Harrison, suffered a season ending turf toe injury and did not pitch much after the trade in 2007. He entered this season the #12 overall prospect with the Rangers starting the year at Frisco, where he went 3-2 with a 3.33 ERA with 35 strikeouts in 9 games. He then was promoted to Oklahoma of the Pacific Coast League going 3-1 with a 3.55 ERA and 20 strikeouts in 6 games. Since July 8th, he has been pitching with the “big club” to date going 5-2 with a 5.77 ERA and 15 strikeouts in 8 games. Another prospect the Rangers pick up was RHP Neftali Feliz who entered this year as the #5 overall prospect. Feliz started the year in low A with the Midwest League Clinton Lumber Kings but pitching in 17 games going 6-3 with a 2.52 ERA with 106 strike outs. He then skipped high A and has joined Frisco. In addition to Teixeira, the Braves received Ron Mahay who is pitching for Kansas City this season.

Trade #2

Teixeira goes to the Angels for Kasey Kotchman and A A pitcher Steve Marek. Kotchman is an excellent Major League player, probably many would not disagree. Steve Marek was the Angels’ #6 ranked prospect and has struggled a little this year both in the Texas League (2-6, 3.66 ERA, 57 SO in 34 games) and the Southern League (1-2, 3.86 ERA, 7 SO in 8 games). He had some success 2006 posting the lowest ERA (1.96) in the Midwest League but struggled in high A in 2007. He has the stuff to be a pro but will need to refine his mechanics and change his approach mentally if he wants a shot.

So, who was the big winner, and who was the big, big, big, big looser?