MLB Trade Rumors: C.C. Sabathia or Mark Teixeira

Uh-oh.  While the New York Yankees hoped to pre-empt any competition for free agent C.C. Sabathia, Scott Boras has thrown a monkey wrench into those plans.  By asking for the moon for his client 1B Mark Teixeira, he has "scared" his top suitor, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, into exploring Sabathia for less money.

The LA Times reports:

The Angels, unwilling to meet Mark Teixeira's desire for a 10-year contract, are in discussions with CC Sabathia and could offer him a contract that approaches the $140-million bid extended to him by the New York Yankees .

The Angels appear reluctant to guarantee more than seven years in a contract for Teixeira, said a source familiar with the club's thinking. They appear more likely to pursue Sabathia, with an offer in the range of Johan Santana's six-year, $137.5-million contract with the New York Mets .

Teixeira remains the Angels' top priority - the club would sign him but does not want to miss out on Sabathia while waiting to see whether Teixeira's asking price falls.

This is an example of the Beltran Lesson painfully taught to the Houston Astros four years ago by Scott Boras.  While waiting for Beltran to resign with the team after a historical play-offs showing, the Astros lost out on other marquee free agents as Beltran ultimately signed with the New York Mets in January.

The Angels apparently do not want to be Boras' latest student.