New York Yankees Should Not Keep Mark Teixeira

By David Hill | Apr 9, 2016

Apr 7, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira (25) hits a three run home run during the seventh inning against the Houston Astros at Yankee Stadium. New York Yankees won 8-5. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /

Mark Teixeira wants to play for another five or six years, all with the New York Yankees. The Yankees should let him walk after the season.

It is understandable that Mark Teixeira would want to play another five or six years. At 36 years old as of Monday, Teixeira may well have plenty of baseball left in him and be able to play either first base or be a designated hitter for a few more seasons. Teixeira certainly should be able to find a home after this year, and may even be able to land a contract for another two or three years.

The problem is, Teixeira wants to spend those next five or six seasons with the New York Yankees. Again, it’s understandable that he would want to remain in New York; after all, he has been there for the past eight years and wants to remain in a familiar environment. It just does not make any sense for the Yankees to keep him beyond this season.

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The issue is not Teixeira’s production. Last year, he posted a .255/.357/.548 batting line with 31 home runs, his best season since 2009. However, Teixeira has played in less than 130 games over each of the past four seasons, missing time with a calf injury, wrist surgery, hamstring issues and a fractured leg. Until proven otherwise, one cannot count on Teixeira being able to remain healthy for an entire season.

Then there is a matter of the Yankees roster. Alex Rodriguez is entrenched as the Yankees designated hitter through next season, a position may be work best for Teixeira to keep him healthy. First base would not be much of an option for Teixeira either, with either the injured Greg Bird or possibly Aaron Judge ready to take over the position next season.

The Yankees have also displayed a shift in philosophy this past offseason. Instead of spending large amounts on free agents, they made trades and showed financial restraint. Retaining Teixeira would go against that philosophy, and potentially block the path for Bird.

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Mark Teixeira may well continue his career for another five or six years, but that time should not be with the New York Yankees.

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