Former Yank Showalter Praises Teixeira

Kat O'Brien spoke with former Yankees manager Buck Showalter about Mark Teixeira, and here is some of what he had to say:

"I think he'll do well. All multi-year contracts have some risk, but I think he's a great health risk. He's not going to embarrass you on or off the field. He's going to be prepared. He's got a real passion for (the game). ... If there's such a thing as a safe eight-year contract, that would be it. He's been so consistent and so healthy."

"When it's all said and done, I think he's going to rank up there with some of the great switch-hitters."

"He'll be there for the long haul. He understands the things that go along with being a major league baseball player and also a Yankee."

"I think people will really appreciate what a good first baseman Mark is. He's really made himself into that -- you forget he was drafted as a third baseman. If I was Alex or Derek or Robby Cano, I'd be excited about getting him. He'll make all three of those guys better with his defense."

He also warned that Teixeira is a slow starter, so we should all be patient with him in April. I think we will, gold glove defense can make a fan accept a slow start offensively.

Showalter also doesn't buy into the idea that Teixeira would have gone to the highest bidder. He believes that winning was also very important, and from the reports about a higher offer from the Nationals I tend to believe what Buck is saying.

From everything I've read about Teixeira he seems like he's going to be a great Yankee. The stellar defense and the .300+, 30+, 110+ per year will help too.