Big Tex -- from Baltimore -- Hotlanta

When Mark Teixeira was traded from the Rangers to the Braves last season, media speculated that the move would rejuvinate his hitting. He had played at Georgia Tech, so perhaps the familiar surroundings would bring him to life. It apparently worked. He hit four more home runs in Atlanta than he did in Arlington in 78 fewer at bats, totalling 30 for the year.

Today Big Tex snapped out of a funk that had plagued him even in his college town. With just 10 homers entering Sunday play as we near the halfway point of the season, Teixeira smacked three bombs against the Seattle Mariners in an 8-3 Braves victory. In the last two seasons Teixeira improved dramatically in the second half, leaving the Braves hope that he can provide another post all-star break streak.

While Teixeira's probably very much at home in Atlanta, and getting hot for the time being, there's at least some talk back in his native Baltimore of bringing the hometown boy a step closer to home. It's right here in this piece on Andy McPhail's job performance (which I linked at an earlier date).

Mark Teixeira's contract is due to expire at the end of this season, so a trade wouldn't have made sense. (The Orioles) need to flash some cash at the 28-year-old free agent this offseason.

Who knows if Teixeira remains in Atlanta after the season, but as long as he stays hot while the Braves stay in contention (they're a game below .500 now), there's little chance he's leaving the Peach State. If he does become a free agent, however, Baltimore could do far worse than bring Tex to the the Mid Atlantic for 2009.