This deal has been rumored for quite some time now and finally on Monday, the deal sending first baseman Mark Teixeira to the Atlanta Braves was completed. Along with Teixeira, the Braves also got left-handed reliever Ron Mahay in exchange for catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, shortstop prospect Elvis Andrus and two pitching prospects, left-hander Matt Harrison and right-hander Nestali Feliz. Case for the Braves On pure talent, the Braves definitely win this trade because they get an All-Star first baseman who has won Gold Glove before and to get him, they gave up only one player on their major league roster. The Braves will have control over Teixeira through the 2008 season and appear to have a decent chance of retaining him after that. He has ties to Georgia through his days at Georiga Tech and by the time he becomes a free agent, the Braves will have expunged over $25 million from their payrolls due to Mike Hampton and Andruw Jones, according to Cot?s Baseball Contracts. For the time being though, Teixeira brings a switch-hitting power bat who can comfortably fall into the clean-up role and give the Braves arguably the best line-up in the National League. Teixeira is a career .283 hitter and before 2007, which has been an injury plagued season, he was a dominant force the previous two seasons. In those years, he played all 324 games, hit a combined 76 home runs and drove in 254 runs. Whether Teixeira is a year and two months rental or not, there is no question he makes the Braves much better in 2007 and 2008 and could prove to be the missing piece that brings Atlanta their first National League title since 1999. Case for the Rangers It was a known fact around baseball the Rangers were looking to deal Teixeira due to his upcoming free agency, being represented by Scott Boras and his chilling relationship at best with manager Ron Washington. So with their backs against the wall, they were able to move him out of the American League and get a good amount of young talent in return. They were able to net the Braves? top three prospects according to Baseball America in Saltalamacchia, Andrus and Harrison. First, Saltalamacchia, who has stardom written all over him and is expected to be an All-Star catcher for the next decade at least. His bat is ready right now to be a middle of the order hitter. Andrus and Harrison are less proven, but both have shown great promise in the minor leagues. Andrus gives general manger Jon Daniels more flexibility in the infield for future trades and Harrison is yet another young pitcher the Rangers have acquired in hopes of building a decent rotation. They were also able to do this without giving up either C.J. Wilson or Eric Gagne, both of which could be used in other potential deals before the deadline on Tuesday. Grades Atlanta Braves (B): They have the answer now at first base and without having to give up any major league talent at this point, they could be in position to win the National League in 2007 and 2008. The grade at this point is preliminary and depends on how big the Braves win with Teixeira and if they could resign him. For now, it was a solid, but not spectacular trade. Texas Rangers (B+): The Rangers were able to move Teixeira to the National League, get three outstanding prospects and still retain Wilson and Gagne. The move will only lengthen the rebuilding process. The trade like from the Braves perspective, was good, but not great and they get slightly higher marks for retaining their two best relievers. How do you think the trade will pan out? Email your thoughts to [email protected]