Lake Buena Vista, Fla. — Will he be a Brave beyond this season? That's all anyone wants to know about slugging first baseman Mark Teixeira. But it looks as if he's going to keep us guessing.

Tex rolled into training camp Tuesday and said he's here to play ball and get ready for the 2008 season, not talk about his contract or whether he plans to test the free-agent waters next winter.

"If you're worrying about contracts, you're not going to take care of business on the field," he said. "Twenty-four other guys on this team don't care about my contract."

Actually, they do care.

Veterans Chipper Jones and John Smoltz have said how important it is to try to re-sign Teixeira, who hit .317 with 17 home runs and 56 RBIs in 54 games after being traded to Atlanta on July 31 last season.

The 27-year-old switch-hitter is a two-time Gold Glove winner who's averaged 34 homers and 111 RBIs in his first five seasons. He's a franchise-caliber player entering his prime, and will likely command at least $20 million annually in a long-term contract.

So what are the chances the Braves could sign him to an extension before the end of the season, before he hits the free-agent market?

"I'm always willing to listen," Teixeira said. "At the same time, I have much more important things to worry about. If I take care of things on the field, that [contract] will take care of itself."

Some believe agent Scott Boras could land Teixeira a six- or seven-year deal worth $25 million or more annually, considering the other contracts that have been handed out in recent years and Teixeira's age and all-around skills.

Boras is famous for producing a spiral-bound dossier crammed with statistical data for each free-agent client, and someone joked to Teixeira that Boras might have several books to support this client.

"He's got plenty of [contract negotiation] ammunition for me," said Teixeira, punctuated by his usual smile and good-natured laugh.

His 365 extra-base hits since 2003 are the fifth-most in the majors, behind Albert Pujols, David Ortiz, Alfonso Soriano and Alex Rodriguez. Yes, that's rich company Teixeira is keeping.

He was asked if the contract issue could become a distraction.

"I'm not going to let it be a distraction for me and my team," said Teixeira, who is making $12.5 million this season. "If you want to talk about baseball, I'll talk all night.

"But if you want to talk about contracts, my agent is always willing to talk. And I'm sure Frank [Wren, Braves general manager] is always willing to talk."

Wren and Boras have had discussions about a possible extension, but Wren won't discuss the status of talks or whether they went beyond an initial feeling-out stage. Boras has not commented recently.

Teixeira scoffed at a rumored rift with Boras — "Scott and I have a great relationship" — and said it probably started as "wishful thinking" in Baltimore, where they'd like to sign the Maryland native.

He also refuted a rumor that he's building a house in Atlanta, saying he merely owns land in Atlanta — and several other areas of the country. He spent the winter at his home in Arizona.

Teixeira said he doesn't set personal statistical goals, only team goals. He likes the Braves being considered underdogs in the National League East behind the Mets and Phillies.

"I know I'm capable of having my best season in this lineup," he said. "If we play to our capabilities, we can definitely win the division."

Jones said he's excited about hitting third all season in front of Teixeira, whose .405 average with runners in scoring position last year included an astounding .509 (27-for-53) for the Braves.

"To have two switch-hitting power hitters in your lineup with that versatility, that's a rare commodity," said the switch-hitting Jones, who had 29 homers and 102 RBIs in 2007, including 12 and 46 after Teixeira joined the team.

"He's going to help me get pitches to hit because he's behind me," Jones said, "and I'm going to help him by getting on base at a .400 clip."