Mark Teixeira Rumors: Wednesday

2:15pm: Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun talked to Orioles president Andy MacPhail, who reminded that the Orioles have flexibility with their offer.

10:46am: Nick Cafardo talked to a GM for one of the five teams in the Teixeira bidding who believes the Red Sox are in the lead.  So…was it Andy MacPhail, Jim Bowden, Brian Cashman, or Tony Reagins?

9:54am: According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, the Orioles have not improved their initial offer to Mark Teixeira.  The Red Sox, Angels, and Nationals have higher bids on the table.  Olney’s source believes Teixeira would have to "really, really want to play there" to take Baltimore’s offer.

Based on the most recent reports, the Red Sox appear to be at eight years, the Nationals at eight years, $160MM, and Angels at eight years and at least $160MM, and the Orioles at seven years in the $140-150MM range.  I’m guessing a ninth year and an opt-out clause will be two of the biggest factors when it’s all said and done.