Finally.
The trade everyone was expecting is finally set to happen, as the Rangers agree to send first baseman Mark Teixeira (and lefty pitcher Ron Mahay) to the Braves for Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Class A shortstop Elvis Andrus and two pitching prospects you don't care about right now for fantasy purposes. As reported right here on ESPN.com, the deal won't be finalized until after medical records have been exchanged.
The question about Teixeira is not whether you want him in any NL-only league. Of course you do. Do you want him more than Tadahito Iguchi or Ty Wigginton? Of course you do. This is the guy you've been hoarding all your FAAB (free agent acquisition budget) for. This is the guy you use the No. 1 waiver priority on.
So far this year, he's hitting .297 with 13 home runs and 49 RBIs in 286 at-bats. A known second-half hitter, Teixeira probably has about 200 at-bats left in him, and he had 24 home runs and 61 RBIs in 275 at-bats after the All-Star break last year. In 287 career interleague at-bats, he has 23 home runs and 58 RBIs. Expect 15 home runs, an average in the .290s and 35-40 RBIs the rest of the way
Teixeira also serves to upgrade the value of Chipper Jones, Andruw Jones and Brian McCann in the middle of the lineup. Those who have been hanging onto Scott Thorman can go ahead and drop him.
On the other side, the cries of "Free Salty!" can finally die down as Saltalamacchia gets out from behind McCann and goes not only to full-time playing status but to full-time playing status in Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, the Coors Field of the AL.
Although Saltalamacchia is hitting .284 with four home runs and 12 RBIs in fewer than 150 at-bats, qualifies at catcher, and is just 22 years old, the reason people like him so much is his minor league numbers. He hit .309 with six home runs and 13 RBIs in just 22 games before being recalled this season. He's an immediate add in all AL-only leagues and is the guy I would use my No. 1 waiver on or my FAAB budget for. (In fairness, your only other choice so far is Dan Wheeler).
Expect Salty to play every day and put up solid power numbers while hitting in the .275-.280 range. He quickly becomes a top-10 AL catcher for fantasy purposes and is worth grabbing in mixed leagues in which you play two catchers.