Orioleshome.com | Baltimore Orioles News, orioles Scores, Game Recaps & Commentary - <div>LAS VEGAS - For now, the Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles have their proposals on the table and can offer free agent target Mark Teixeira the opportunity to play close to home and, likely, for more money than any player in Baseball history not named Alex Rodriguez. </div>But eventually, it's believed, the Nationals and Orioles, having been used to spur greater financial commitments from other teams, will drop out of contention and Teixeira will be faced with a more narrow decision - choosing between the Red Sox and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, the team with which he finished the 2008 season. It seems probable that the two teams will offer strikingly similar packages, though agent Scott Boras may attempt to get a concession from one (opt-out clause? one more guaranteed year?) to gain a bit of leverage in the negotiations. ``I think both teams already have a good idea of what it's going to take to get this done,'' said a Baseball official yesterday as the annual winter meetings wound down at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino. ``There aren't going to be any surprises.'' That said, Teixeira will eventually - perhaps as soon as this weekend - be faced with a choice: Where does he want to spend most of the remainder of his major league career, Boston or Anaheim? Each club has its benefits - and relative demerits - which will factor into the process. Anaheim provides Teixeira with familiarity, since he spent the final two months of the regular season there, having been dealt to the Angels by the Atlanta Braves the week of the trading deadline. That gave Teixeira time to get comfortable with the facility, teammates, organization and manager Mike Scioscia. If he returns, there will be no orientation period necessary and few adjustments necessary. This is a significant edge for the Angels, since Teixeira already knows what to expect and routine is critical to most players. Southern California also affords Teixeira a superior lifestyle choice. After being traded to Anaheim, he rented a house in Laguna Beach, with its short commute to the ballpark, and reportedly enjoyed the experience, though Angels sources worry that the first baseman's wife, Georgia, prefers to live on the East Coast. Then there's the laid-back approach to playing on the West Coast. While the Angels are well supported, annually drawing more than 3 million fans to Angel Stadium, the atmosphere is more relaxed and criticism of players is rare. The Red Sox, of course, offer some selling points of their own, not the least of which is geographic proximity to the couple's families. As a member of the Red Sox, Teixeira will play three series in his hometown of Baltimore and his family will be a short plane ride away. His wife, a native of Atlanta, would also be closer to her hometown. While the Angels offense is prolific, it can't match the lineup the Red Sox could boast with Teixeira as part of it. Think of the damage a batting order that features Jacoby Ellsbury, Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis, David Ortiz, Teixeira and Jason Bay could do. Moreover, while Angel Stadium is a offensive-neutral ballpark, Fenway would be a better fit for the switch-hitting Teixeira, despite the spacious right field dimensions. Finally, there's the intensity that Fenway can offer. A mid-May game against Kansas City carries with it almost a playoff-like atmosphere. If Teixeira is as competitive and driven as those who know him suggest, this could be a huge selling point. After six seasons in the majors, in three cities across both leagues, Teixeira has appeared in just four playoff games and yearns to experience winning. Both the Angels and Red Sox expect nothing less than a spot in the postseason every fall. But of the two, only the Red Sox can offer October energy on a nightly basis. Decisions, decisions. - smcadam@bostonherald.com GRAPHIC: DECISIONS, DECISIONS With the Red Sox and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim believed to be the top two contenders in the Mark Texiera sweepstakes this winter, we take a look at some of the positives associated with each franchise as the slugger gets set to weigh his options. EDGE TO Angels: 1. CLIMATE. No rain, no cold, no contest. 2. LIFESTYLE. Better weather, easier beach access and more luxurious real estate options 3. FAMILIARITY. After a crash-course introduction to Southern California last season, there will be no surprises. EDGE TO Red Sox: 1. GEOGRAPHY. It's not home (suburban Baltimore), but it's not far, either. 2. BALLPARK. Sure, some homers will get lost in right field, but The Wall is inviting -- from either side of the plate. 3. ATMOSPHERE. Baseball is a diversion on the West Coast; in cities like Boston, it's an obsession. -- SEAN McADAM

LAS VEGAS - For now, the Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles have their proposals on the table and can offer free agent target Mark Teixeira the opportunity to play close to home and, likely, for more money than any player in Baseball history not named Alex Rodriguez.

But eventually, it's believed, the Nationals and Orioles, having been used to spur greater financial commitments from other teams, will drop out of contention and Teixeira will be faced with a more narrow decision - choosing between the Red Sox and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, the team with which he finished the 2008 season.

It seems probable that the two teams will offer strikingly similar packages, though agent Scott Boras may attempt to get a concession from one (opt-out clause? one more guaranteed year?) to gain a bit of leverage in the negotiations.

``I think both teams already have a good idea of what it's going to take to get this done,'' said a Baseball official yesterday as the annual winter meetings wound down at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino. ``There aren't going to be any surprises.''

That said, Teixeira will eventually - perhaps as soon as this weekend - be faced with a choice: Where does he want to spend most of the remainder of his major league career, Boston or Anaheim?

Each club has its benefits - and relative demerits - which will factor into the process.

Anaheim provides Teixeira with familiarity, since he spent the final two months of the regular season there, having been dealt to the Angels by the Atlanta Braves the week of the trading deadline.

That gave Teixeira time to get comfortable with the facility, teammates, organization and manager Mike Scioscia. If he returns, there will be no orientation period necessary and few adjustments necessary. This is a significant edge for the Angels, since Teixeira already knows what to expect and routine is critical to most players.

Southern California also affords Teixeira a superior lifestyle choice. After being traded to Anaheim, he rented a house in Laguna Beach, with its short commute to the ballpark, and reportedly enjoyed the experience, though Angels sources worry that the first baseman's wife, Georgia, prefers to live on the East Coast.

Then there's the laid-back approach to playing on the West Coast. While the Angels are well supported, annually drawing more than 3 million fans to Angel Stadium, the atmosphere is more relaxed and criticism of players is rare.

The Red Sox, of course, offer some selling points of their own, not the least of which is geographic proximity to the couple's families. As a member of the Red Sox, Teixeira will play three series in his hometown of Baltimore and his family will be a short plane ride away. His wife, a native of Atlanta, would also be closer to her hometown.

While the Angels offense is prolific, it can't match the lineup the Red Sox could boast with Teixeira as part of it. Think of the damage a batting order that features Jacoby Ellsbury, Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis, David Ortiz, Teixeira and Jason Bay could do. Moreover, while Angel Stadium is a offensive-neutral ballpark, Fenway would be a better fit for the switch-hitting Teixeira, despite the spacious right field dimensions.

Finally, there's the intensity that Fenway can offer. A mid-May game against Kansas City carries with it almost a playoff-like atmosphere. If Teixeira is as competitive and driven as those who know him suggest, this could be a huge selling point. After six seasons in the majors, in three cities across both leagues, Teixeira has appeared in just four playoff games and yearns to experience winning.

Both the Angels and Red Sox expect nothing less than a spot in the postseason every fall. But of the two, only the Red Sox can offer October energy on a nightly basis.

Decisions, decisions.

- smcadam@bostonherald.com

GRAPHIC: DECISIONS, DECISIONS

With the Red Sox and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim believed to be the top two contenders in the Mark Texiera sweepstakes this winter, we take a look at some of the positives associated with each franchise as the slugger gets set to weigh his options.

EDGE TO Angels:

1. CLIMATE. No rain, no cold, no contest.

2. LIFESTYLE. Better weather, easier beach access and more luxurious real estate options

3. FAMILIARITY. After a crash-course introduction to Southern California last season, there will be no surprises.

EDGE TO Red Sox:

1. GEOGRAPHY. It's not home (suburban Baltimore), but it's not far, either.

2. BALLPARK. Sure, some homers will get lost in right field, but The Wall is inviting -- from either side of the plate.

3. ATMOSPHERE. Baseball is a diversion on the West Coast; in cities like Boston, it's an obsession.

-- SEAN McADAM