Mark Teixeira: Can He Be Dealt Before The Deadline?

As the Braves head into the All Star break, they find themselves 6.5 games behind the Phillies for 1st place. They boast a measly 45-50 record and with the Mets and Marlins ahead of them, the future seems bleak that the Braves can make a comeback.

Injuries have plagued the Braves so far this season with Jeff Bennett, Manny Acosta, Mike Hampton, Rafael Soriano and Omar Infante currently on the DL. Jeff Francoeur struggles make me wonder whether he'd be better off on the DL. Today, Jorge Campillo hurt himself during an at-bat in San Diego, and with no John Smoltz for the rest of the season and Tom Glavine out for at least a couple more weeks the future doesn't seem much better either.

Of course the Braves should deal Teixeira because they need to rebuild. Let's face it - those 14 straight division titles were once in a lifetime streak, and before that time period they were terrible. However, the team built its success through the draft and getting young talented players, like the Tampa Bay Rays have shown this year. The real question is: Can the Braves get anything for Teixeira since his contract expires after this year?

Today, during Sunday Night Baseball on ESPN, Peter Gammons reported that the Braves offered Teixeira to the Boston Red Sox for Kevin Youkilis and a minor league prospect. The Red Sox said no because Youkilis has been on the team for a few years and wouldn't make sense to get rid of a productive first baseman who is a clubhouse favorite.

Gammons also reported that the Braves will make every attempt to deal Teixeira but it may prove to be difficult. I expect teams with financial flexibility or higher payrolls, such as the Yankees, Red Sox, White Sox to possibly make a move for Teixeira.

Hopefully, the Braves will get some talented prospects in return, and maybe a player or two that can fill an immediate need in the lineup. Regardless, it should be exciting to watch. I'm hoping that since the trade deadline is a day after my birthday (July 30th), GM Frank Wren can make my wish of a talent-returning trade to come true.

Go Braves