As a Baseball fan, we need to show our support and prove to Mark Teixeira we can offer way more than any amount of money Scott Boras throws his way. We can offer him more than the anticipated yearly salary of $20 million dollars with over 20,000,000 Fan Votes. Lets defeat the odds and join hands as we prove to Mark Teixeira we want him to stay with the Atlanta Braves family and bring back the integrity of the game!

	Mark Teixeira/Atlanta Braves '08

The Dilemma: Lets face it. There is no defeating the inevitable. Once the 2008 Major League Baseball season ends, Mr. Scott Boras will have his next big pay day. Mark Teixeira will become a member of the Free Agent Market and Mr. Boras will negotiate for a large sum of money. In all likelihood, the amount agreed upon will be in the range of $20 million dollars per year. Everyone in the baseball world knows what Mr. Boras is capable of and what he will accomplish. Just look at how much money he got for Gary Sheffield before the 2004 season, Johnny Damon before the 2005 season, JD Drew before the 2006 season, Barry Zito before the 2007 season, and Andruw Jones before the 2008 season. In continuing the trend, Mark Teixeira will be the next blockbuster before the 2009 season.

On the other hand, all educated fans know the un-likelihood of the Atlanta Braves Organization forking over the amount needed to make Mr. Boras happy. As history will teach us, the Atlanta Braves reaction to a future "Big Money" Free Agent signing results in turning the other cheek. While I will neither agree nor disagree with such tendencies, I am aware and anticipating such a decision. When Tom Glavine, Gred Maddux and Kevin Millwood became Free Agents between 2003-2004, the Braves understood what was required to keep such aces in the starting rotation. In result, they let the pitchers explore their Free Agent options, and in result, signed big contracts. The same can be said with former batters in Gary Sheffield, Andruw Jones, Javy Lopez, Rafael Furcal and JD Drew. Please don't forget Jaret Wright and Kyle Farnsworth's Free Agent experience signing with the Yankees for top dollar. The story can be told over and over that once a player becomes a Free Agent, the Braves opt to keep their wallet full and part ways... shaking their hand and wishing them the best of luck in the future.

To Sports Fans Worldwide: The fate of Professional Athletes are in the hands of Agents. Their future is decided behind closed doors along a two-way channel involving the Agent and Club with the most generous offer. While witnessing the process executed like clock-work in every sport, one needs to determine whether an agent motivated by money or die-hard fan can provide a more accurate depiction of a team and it's members. The purpose of an Agent is to represent their client's best interests, though, are they truly seeking the most favorable option when a high price amount is written on paper? Through the loyal fan's point of view, don't you believe you can provide critical insight into the future direction of the team and parties involved?

The Message behind the Campaign: What about enabling fans to contribute to the General Manager's role in deciding whether a transaction is the best choice for their team. Instead of praising or criticizing a recent personnal move by the GM, lets take part. To spectators worldwide, I feel this is the moment Atlanta Braves Fans have been waiting for. This is our opportunity to show that Mark Teixeira is home and here to stay. If successful, I consider this a campaign for the ages. A campaign that has never been done before and hope die-hard fans of any teams consider when in a similar situation. While being an opportunity for Baseball Fans worldwide, will we surrender and let Scott Boras and his dollar sign win the outcome... or will Baseball fans unite together and win the heart of Mr. Mark Teixeira?

Our Solution: 20,000,000 plus Votes by the end of the 2008 season. I wish there was something fans could do to avoid the anticipated judgment day. After pondering the situation, I realized we could offer Mark Teixeira something way more valuable than what Mr. Boras could provide. In addition, maybe it is the fans turn to help the Braves Management in joining together and voicing their mind that they want Mark Teixeira and the Braves United! I'm not suggesting raising enough money to keep Mark Teixeira with the team..... I say lets conduct a vote so Mark Teixeira can see that we will top any price amount Scott Boras accumulates. With his expected yearly salary looking to be around $20 million dollars, how about showing Mark Teixeira that there are over 20,000,000 Baseball Fans committed to seeing him stay in Atlanta!

The Mike Hampton Funds: The realistic offering provided by the Braves Management will be The Mike Hampton Funds. Right at the time Mark Teixeira's Free Agent period begins, the Atlanta Braves contract obligations to Mike Hampton will be finished. Realistically, I predict the Braves maximum offer to Mark Teixeira will be an amount comparable to Hampton's contract. As I mentioned before, history will tell us that it would be highly uncharacteristic for the Braves to offer an amount higher than Hampton's contract. Though, if this were the amount offered on behalf of the Braves, Scott Boras will look at the dollar figure and start uncontrollably laughing. Once he is done with that, he will probably walk out of the conference room and wipe himself with the piece of paper. If Boras had his way, we all know the numbers he will demand... and most likely get.

Mark Teixeira is clearly deserving of a rewarding contract come 2008. Unfortunately, in its current state, it seems like both parties will part ways come 2008 as neither will come to a happy medium. The Braves Organization will not agree to pay the amount demanded by Boras and Boras will never accept the offering provided by the Braves. In result, I want to do my part as a loyal Braves fan to help the cause and show that fans want to see Mark Teixeira part of the Atlanta Braves family. It will be an uphill battle, but I believe with the amount of support given by Baseball fans worldwide, Mark Teixeira will realize he is currently home.

	Mark Teixeira/Atlanta Braves '08

The Countdown to 20,000,000+ Fan Votes has begun:

Mike Hampton		Mark Teixeira

Salty Aftermath: Am I Mad ???

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