Okay, folks...
You are John Hart. You're on the 5th tee, your cell phone rings, and it is Scott Boras. Mark Teixeira is ready to talk contract extension, and he wants a seven year deal (which would take him through 2012).
How much, right now, is the most you would go on a 7 year deal for Teixeira? Remember, he's not f.a. eligible until after 2008, but he will be arbitration eligible after each of the next three seasons, and his salary, going to arbitration, would probably be $5 million for 2006, $8 million for 2007, and $11 million for 2008.