LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Many fans in New England likely remember where they were when they learned that Mark Teixeira was signed by the New York Yankees. It was one of those stunning events that shifted the balance of power in the rivalry with the Red Sox, who appeared very close to landing the defensively gifted, power-hitting first baseman.
Perhaps those fans will remember where they were when the club traded for Adrian Gonzalez, possibly rectifying the loss of Teixeira.
San Diego general manager Jed Hoyer was with the Red Sox when Teixeira slipped away, serving as the assistant to Boston GM Theo Epstein. He recalled the disappointment Monday afternoon at baseball's winter meetings.
"That was a kick in the stomach, for sure," Hoyer said of losing Teixeira. "We were very aggressive in going after him and the Yankees kind of came in at the last minute and obviously ended up winning a World Series the next year. He would've been a perfect fit [in Boston]."
Hoyer would not speak for Epstein and the current Red Sox staff and their motives this time around, but he did admit that after losing out on Teixeira, the pursuit of Gonzalez came to the forefront.
"That position, with Youkilis' versatility, having a big slugging first baseman was something that's been on the wish list for a long time there," Hoyer added. "Teixeira was obvious. Adrian's a guy, before we traded for Victor Martinez, I remember making a significant offer for Adrian … He's always been a guy who they've coveted."
"Part of it probably was that they missed out on Teixeira and they didn't want to miss out on another one."
