With less than a week to go before the trading deadline, the Rangers are heavily involved in talks with Atlanta on a deal that could send Mark Teixeira to the Braves, major league sources confirmed Wednesday.

The deal, however, could also expand into a blockbuster. Both Atlanta and the Los Angeles Dodgers, sources said, would like to get Teixeira and a reliever from the Rangers. Eric Gagne and Ron Mahay are of interest to Atlanta; the Dodgers are more interested in Gagne and Joaquin Benoit. Further complicating the scenario is the Rangers' interest in keeping Gagne on a long-term deal. The club and Gagne remain conversant about such a possibility.

Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said he would not discuss any trade scenarios.

The foundation for a deal that would send Teixeira to Atlanta would be 22-year-old catcher-first baseman Jarrod Saltalamacchia, considered the Braves' top prospect. It would likely also include a young pitcher, potentially either 23-year-old right-hander Kyle Davies or 21-year-old left-hander Matt Harrison, and infielder Elvis Andrus. The Braves, however, are not likely to part with lefty Jo-Jo Reyes.

The Dodgers also remain interested in a Teixeira-centric package, the source said. The Dodgers would likely have to part with first baseman James Loney, an outfielder such as Andre Ethier and a minor league pitcher to pull of such a deal. The Rangers love Highland Park lefty Clayton Kershaw, but it's not certain the Dodgers would include a prospect of his caliber as a third player.

Also, the Los Angeles Angels, according to a major league source, have upped an original offer of first baseman Casey Kotchman and a minor league outfielder (either Terry Evans or Nathan Haynes) for Teixeira alone.

That Atlanta and the two Los Angeles clubs are significantly interested could strengthen the Rangers' bargaining position in the final days leading up to Tuesday's 3 p.m. trading deadline. The Dodgers and Braves could end up in a head-to-head fight for the NL wild card, so keeping the other from upgrading its team could be a strong secondary motivator.

Likewise, the two Los Angeles teams are competing for the Southern California fan base. Neither can afford to watch Teixeira end up with the other and potentially in the World Series while the other is at home.