Mark Teixeira Deal Done

...pending physicals.

The deal is all but done, as the Texas Rangers will send Mark Teixeira along with left-hander Ron Mahay to the Atlanta Braves for young stud catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Class-A shortstop Elvis Andrus, two minor league prospects and of course, a player to be named later.

One of the prospects is lefty Matt Harrison, who has experienced some recent shoulder discomfort. He is 5-7 with a 3.39 ERA and 78 strikeouts for the AA Mississippi Braves this season.

Teixeira joins badass third baseman Chipper Jones as an additional switch-hitter to the already potent Braves order, which will surely help the club climb from fifth in the NL in runs scored. Tex is batting a steady .297 with 13 homers and 49 RBIs this season.

The 22-year-old Saltalamacchia could be just what the Rangers have been looking for with the option of putting him at first, as well. Salty is hitting .284 with 4 longballs and 12 RBIs in 47 games with the Braves this season.

Don't forget about the veteran Mahay, who was 2-0 with a 2.77 ERA and 1 save in 28 relief appearances for the Rangers.

[Atlanta Journal-Constitution]