Mark Teixeira is a Major League first baseman for the New York Yankees.

On December 23, 2008, news agencies reported that Mark Teixeira agreed to terms with the New York Yankees. The contract is reportedly for eight years and $180 million dollars.ESPN.com: Sources: Teixeira takes Yanks 8 year deal(December 23, 2008)

A native of the Baltimore area, Teixeira was chosen by the Boston Red Sox in the 1998 MLB draft, but the promising slugger decided to attend Georgia Tech instead, where he won the Dick Howser Trophy for being the top collegiate baseball player of the year. In the 2001 draft, Teixeira was chosen by the Texas Rangers and he made his debut with the team in 2003, after spending only one year in the minors. By 2005, Teixeira had established himself as one of the best hitters in the game, clubbing 43 home runs, and driving in 144 RBIs, all the while compiling a .301 batting average. For his achievements in 2004 and 2005, the young first baseman received the Silver Slugger Award.

Teixeira's numbers cooled off slightly in 2006, although he still hit over 30 home runs, 100 RBIs, and batted .282. As his contract with the Rangers neared an end in 2007, Teixeira turned down an eight year, $140,000,000 contract offer from the team, and was traded to the Atlanta Braves.

In 2008, Teixeira was traded to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for first baseman Casey Kotchman and Stephen Marek. ESPN.com: Braves deal Teixeira to Angels for Kotchman, minor leaguer

On December 18, 2008, news agencies reported that the Boston Red Sox were close to signing free agent first baseman Mark Teixeira. The Red Sox had reportedly offered an eight year deal worth approximately $22 million a year.ESPN.com: Sources: BoSox close to getting TeixeiraBut the following day the owner of the Boston Red Sox, John Henry, announced in an e-mail that the Red Sox were outbid for Teixeira and were no longer a factor in the sweepstakes. Henry stated, "We met with Mr. Teixeira and were very much impressed with him. After hearing about his other offers, however, it seems clear that we are not going to be a factor."ESPN.com: Henry: Red Sox outbid on Teixeira (December 19, 2008)

Some baseball officials were theorizing that the announcement by the Red Sox was just a negotiating tactic to gauge the interest of agent Scott Boras and Teixeira in joining the team at the Red Sox desired salary rate.SI.com: Sources: Sox still in Teixeira hunt (December 18, 2008)

On December 21, 2008, news agencies reported that the Angels franchise were no longer pursuing free agent Mark Teixeira. The team had reportedly made a proposal for eight years at approximately $160 million dollars. But the offer had been withdrawn and the Angels decided to no longer pursue the free agent. It is unclear why the Angels dropped out, but possible explanations included that the Angels were aware that they were outbid for Teixeira or possibly the Angels received confirmation that Teixeira had intentions to sign with an east coast team.ESPN.com: Angels stop pursuing Teixeira(December 21, 2008)

On December 22, 2008, news agencies speculated that the Washington Nationals may have raised their initial offer to Teixeira. Previously the Red Sox and the Angels dropped out of the bidding for the services of Teixeira. The Nationals were believed to have raised their offer to between the $178 million to 184 million dollar range. The offer was also believed to be possibly a 10 year contract.MLB.com: Nats may have upped Teixeira offer(December 22, 2008)

Teixera signed with the New York Yankees on December 23, 2008. The contract is believed to be worth approximately $180 million dollars for eight seasons.MLB.com: Yanks, Teixeira agree on 8 year deal (December 23, 2008)