Hometown Ties

Although the last three baseball-less months have been very slow, it will soon prove to be one of the biggest off seasons in baseball history as the Winter Meetings are set to start Monday in Las Vegas.

One name in particular that is on top of every team's list is first baseman Mark Teixeira.

Over the last few years, Teixeira has established himself as one of the best hitting and fielding corner infielders in the game. Coming off a 2008 season with a .308 batting average, 33 home runs, and 121 RBI, Teixeira is certainly the apple in every team's eye.

At this point, it is uncertain where exactly Teixeira will go, but it is very likely he will find himself with the New York Yankees, the Boston Red Sox, or end up resigning with the Los Angeles Angels.

But two teams who have not been known as big spenders are also joining the hunt. These two teams are the Washington Nationals and the Baltimore Orioles.

With the Yankees offering top free agent pitcher C.C. Sabathia a contract worth $140 million, it is expected that Teixeira will receive a contract, while not as high, still in the $100 million area.

Spending this money would be a huge financial burden on both the Nationals and Orioles,  so both teams are focusing less on the money and trying to stress the importance of hometown ties.

Teixeira was born in Annapolis, MD., less than an hour from the Washington and Baltimore areas. Both teams feel this fact is their strongest and possibly only shot at luring the switch hitting slugger into their respective clubhouses.

On top of his 54 game stint with the Angels, Teixeira has also played for the Texas Rangers and the Atlanta Braves. Playing for three different teams in only six years is quite a large number. However, no matter where Teixeira plays he has continuously proven to be one of the best players on each team. He has also continuously failed to win a World Series ring with each of these teams.

Teixeira knows his place in the majors at this point and the only thing on his mind right now is a championship. Neither the Orioles nor the Nationals have a legitimate shot at winning the World Series at this point nor are really in line to even make the playoffs.

While playing so close to home is definitely a juicy offer, playing elsewhere is clearly the better and more likely decision.