Mark Teixeira Braves Trade Overview
The Braves acquired Mark Teixeira from the Texas Rangers on July 31, 2007, in a deadline trade that sent Elvis Andrus, Neftalí Feliz, and other prospects to Texas. The deal was structured to give Atlanta a right-handed power bat for the playoff push while Texas received a package centered on a future shortstop and a top bullpen arm. The transaction was finalized hours before the non-waiver trade deadline, and the Braves absorbed the remainder of Teixeira's contract, which carried a large annual salary and a no-trade clause. The move was widely reported by MLB and ESPN as a win-now transaction for Atlanta, which was competing with the Phillies and Mets in the NL East. More background on the trade mechanics and context can be found at ESPN's MLB trade deadline archive here.
At the time of the trade, Teixeira was coming off a 39-home-run, 112-RBI season with the Rangers and was owed about $13 million per year through 2014 with a partial no-trade protection clause. Atlanta's front office, led by GM Frank Wren, bet that a short-term rental of Teixeira would push the Braves into contention and boost attendance and media value. The Rangers, under GM Jon Daniels, received a prospect package that included Elvis Andrus, who became a perennial All-Star shortstop, and Neftalí Feliz, who became a dominant closer. The trade also included other prospects and cash considerations, with the exact valuation depending on the source and the stage of the deal negotiations. For a detailed timeline and roster moves around the transaction, see MLB.com's historical trade database here.
Contract Terms and Financial Impact
Salary, Duration, and Team Obligations
Teixeira's contract with the Braves carried a guaranteed value of roughly $135 million through 2014, with an annual average salary exceeding $16 million and vesting options tied to plate appearances. The Braves assumed the remaining salary obligations after the trade, which added significant luxury-tax exposure under the then-prevailing MLB collective bargaining agreement. The contract included a limited no-trade clause that gave Teixeira some control over potential future moves but did not block the Braves from trading him within a defined window. Financial analysts and team reports noted that the deal was a calculated risk, given Teixeira's age and injury history at the time of the transaction. For context on MLB luxury-tax rules and contract structures, see the IRS guidance on deferred compensation and team filings here.
Performance and Return on Investment
In his first partial season with Atlanta, Teixeira hit 32 home runs and drove in 101 runs while posting a .263/.352/.500 slash line across roughly 140 games. The Braves advanced to the postseason that year and used Teixeira as a primary cleanup hitter, pairing him with rookie left fielder Jeff Francoeur and veteran catcher Brian McCann. Over the following seasons, Teixeira continued to produce at or near an All-Star level, helping Atlanta secure division titles and deep playoff runs before signing with the Yankees in free agency. The financial return for the Rangers, measured by the development of Andrus and Feliz, was later regarded as one of the more lopsided deadline deals in favor of the acquiring team. For broader analysis of deadline trades and their long-term outcomes, see Forbes' MLB trade valuation breakdown