Will The Red Sox Put A Limit On Teixeira?

Could the Red Sox be reconsidering their demands? Right now, I think this might be first concrete series of quotes that we have gotten on the matter from the Red
Sox. Again, take this all with a grain of salt.

From CNNSI.com: With as many as five teams showing interest in the first baseman, there is serious doubt the Red Sox would go longer than the eight-year contract the Los Angeles Angels, Teixeira's former team, have offered.

"We all have limits," Red Sox owner John Henry said in an e-mail to The Associated Press. "Eight years is a very long time in baseball and everywhere else."

He also said the amount the team is willing to spend on a free agent "depends on both" the economy and the player being sought.

"Baseball as a whole has not yet been hit by the financial crisis, but it will," Henry said. "The degree is in question and won't be answered for a while."

A decision by Teixeira on where he will end up did not appear imminent.

"No immediate timetable," his agent, Scott Boras, said in an e-mail Wednesday. "Negotiations are on going."

I think the Red Sox have contended that Teixeira is a special case, as usually they try to get the most value out of their players, and then let them move on when their services are no longer needed. I don't think I've ever seen the Red Sox go more than five years on anyone, and signing the slugger to a deal longer than that goes against their method of operation.

I'm sure that Teixeira will get the money he wants from someone, but as of right now, it doesn't seem like anyone is willing to cross the eight year threshold and probably for good reason.