ATLANTA (AP) -Mark Teixeira’s future with the Atlanta Braves is difficult to predict.
The Braves matched their low point of the season at four games under .500 with Tuesday night’s loss to Philadelphia. Should they fall further behind the Phillies before the July 31 deadline to trade a player without securing waivers, they might consider dealing their cleanup hitter.
Teixeira, who can become a free agent at the end of the season, was traded to Atlanta from Texas under similar conditions last July 31. He said Wednesday he hopes to spend the full season with the Braves.
“I feel like I have some unfinished business here with the Braves,” Teixeira said. “I was brought here during a pennant race last year. (A playoff appearance) didn’t happen last year and I’m hoping that it does this year.”
Teixeira, 28, hit a combined 30 homers and drove in 105 runs for the Rangers and Braves in 2007. He entered Wednesday night’s game against the Phillies hitting .272 with 16 homers. He was seventh in the National League with 63 RBIs.
Teixeira is in position to extend his streak of four straight seasons with at least 30 homers and 100 RBIs.
Chipper Jones and Teixeira give the Braves the unusual advantage of two switch-hitters batting third and fourth, respectively. The protection in the lineup provided by Teixeira has helped Jones, who’s leading the majors with a .393 batting average.
Teixeira, represented by Scott Boras, is earning $12.5 million this year. A bigger contract likely is coming after the season, either from the Braves or as a free agent.
How big? Before he was traded last season, Teixeira turned down an eight-year, $140 million offer from Texas.
The Braves gave up a package of five players, including catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, left-hander Matt Harrison and shortstop Elvis Andrus, to obtain Teixeira. If they feel they can’t re-sign the first baseman, they could have more reason to seek a trade.
“I went through (the speculation) last year, so it’s nothing new,” Teixeira said. “I hope it (trade) doesn’t happen. I hope those rumors don’t start. But it’s not going to change what I do on the field. Whatever happens, happens.”
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