Realizing they can't top the Yankees in dollars for Mark Teixeira, the Red Sox have added an odd bonus: a backrub from Big Papi.

This offer, though strange, is not unprecedented. Non-monetary compensation has been around for awhile. For example, Ichiro gets a translator and flights to and from Japan, Kevin Brown's contract allowed him to visit Paramount Studios, and A-Rod's has a marketing deal connected to homers.

In fact, the David Ortiz hug-and-rub isn't even the weirdest proposal. That award goes to Rickey Henderson, who, for the past three years, has been offering to play for any MLB team in exchange for a used toothbrush and a ball of string.

Even stranger, however, is that Tex might be biting.

"I do love money," said the slugger, "but nothing beats that toasty, snuggly, bear of a man rubbing your back. It's tempting, I will say that."

Agent Scott Boras, who is always pushing for a little bit more, is holding out for "a warm embrace every first and 15th, as well as a secret handshake between the two." Teixera, Boras noted, has been playing in sunny LA and will need to Papi's warmth to brave the bone-chilling Boston fall.

But don't be fooled into thinking this is a done deal. Rumors are swirling that the Angerls are preparing to offer up Vlad Guerrero's services, while Cashman is mulling an offer of free Chinese food every night of the week.

So, until Teixeira makes his choice, we'll just have to wait and, in ESPN's Buster Olney's words "sit back and see if this backrub thing does the trick."

Read more at: http://thewhitehouseplumber.blogspot.com/