FOXSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal is reporting that the Texas Rangers have been scouting Yankee prospects in expectation that the Bombers will make a run at acquiring first baseman Mark Teixeira.

Teixeira is currently on the disabled list with a strained left quad but is due back just before the All-Star Break. A switch hitter, Teixeira was hitting .302 with 12 home runs and 41 RBIs prior to his injury. Though the numbers aren’t astounding, the former All-Star is a notorious second half hitter, hitting 24 home runs in the second half of last season after hitting just 7 in the first. His power and ability to drive in runs coupled with his gold glove caliber defense are something the Yankees could definitely use in their pursuit of the Boston Red Sox.

The question would have to be how much the Yankees are willing to give up. The Yankees are high on rookie pitcher Phil Hughes, viewing him as their future ace, and the Rangers are reportedly seeking him in return. It wasn’t too long ago that Hughes took a no-hitter into the seventh inning against the Rangers. The Yanks consider Hughes “untouchable” and the Rangers are dreaming if they think he can be had for Teixeira alone. However the conversation starts to get a lot more interesting for both teams when you begin to toss in names like Eric Gagne and Akinori Otsuka. According to Rosenthal, the Yanks have been scouting both players.

If Texas insists that Hughes be involved in any deal for Teixeira, I’d think the Yankees would look elsewhere to fill their void at first base (possibly to Colorado, where Todd Helton is reportedly on the trading block). Ideally the Bombers would like to put together a package of players at the lower level (Jose Tabata is a top prospect at Tampa), but it seems likely that at the very least, the Yanks would have to part with outfielder Melky Cabrera. A package of Cabrera and some prospects might not be a bad move, though it would necessitate a return to the outfield for Johnny Damon and would leave the team short on the bench.

The trading winds are just beginning to blow. This won’t be the last time we hear Mark Teixeira and the Yankees in the same sentence.