Teixiera, Sabathia Signings Show Why Baseball Needs A Salary Cap

If you believe the headlines, Mark Teixeira is worth $22.5 million a year.

If you believe common sense, he isn't nearly worth that much.

Let me preface my point by saying this: Mark Teixeira is a good player.  Any team that picked him up, except for a handful, would be better at first base than they are now.

Are the Yankees better at first base with Teixeira than they would be with Jason Giambi?  Yes.  Teixeira is one of the best fielders in the game, recording a .994 FLD% last year, for an average of .996% in his career at his natural position at first. 

Giambi has struggled at many times first base, and is not getting any younger--but his power has been his main draw.  That has begun to drop off in recent years.  However, his 32 home runs last year show that his bat still has some pop. 

Teixiera has relatively good power, but is a better situational hitter--121 RBI in 2008.  He will fit right into the Yankees lineup.

But is he worth $22.5 million a year?  I don't think so.

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