TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira has ended his relationship with longtime agent Scott Boras.
Teixeira made the announcement before Wednesday's spring training game against Houston.
"I've been thinking about it for a while," Teixeira said. "There's no reason to get into a lot of specifics right now, but sometimes business relationships just run their course. For me, my family right now, this is the best decision for me."
Teixeira said Boras took the news OK, but obviously was disappointed.
"Hopefully, when I see him, we'll be able to shake hands and say thanks for the work we've done together," Teixeira said.
Boras talked with Teixeira on Tuesday.
"Mark and I had a very cordial conversation," Boras said. "Our company had the great honor of working with Mark for over a decade. It was privilege to see him grow into one of the best players in the game, become an All-Star and a World Series champion and win a contract that recognizes him among the game's elite players. We wish him the best moving forward."
Teixeira started using the Jonas Group last year to handle his off-field promotion. He has not yet hired a new agent.
"There's plenty of time for that," Teixeira said. "Nothing's on the horizon."
Teixeira is in the third season of a $180 million, eight-year contract negotiated by Boras.
"Right now, the next contract isn't really on my mind," Teixeira said. "When I hired Scott at 18, it was to help me with my career. From the time I was a rookie, people started talking about my free-agent contract. Unfortunately, it took away from a lot of things I did on the field. I felt, at times, I was a Mark Teixeira, Scott Boras' client instead of Mark Teixeira, baseball player."
Teixeira says after 12 years together, it was time to make a change. He has not selected a new agent.
"He gave me everything I asked for contract-wise," Teixeira said. "I chose Scott for a reason, because I wanted the best agent for my career and for my contract."
