Varitek and Sox agree to 1 year with option.

Tony Mazz just reported that the Sox and Varitek have agreed to a 1 year deal with an option for a 2nd.

more to come.

Waiting on 'Tek

Tony Massarotti has pretty much summed up the Varitek situation in this video blog by Boston Globe. I don't see how Varitek can turn this deal down. He will be signing for more than 3 times the current rate for a veteran catcher of his offensive output over 2008 (.220 batting average).

My question really is this. What do the Red Sox do if Varitek really is at the end of his career and struggles even more so through 2009? I believe they must still trade for a young, offensive minded catcher to be mentored by Varitek. Say Varitek hits below the Mendoza line. You can't keep that in the lineup everyday. Having someone to step in would be huge. Personally, I hope as a fan of the Red Sox and Varitek, that he will return to somewhere around .250-65 batting average. I think everyone would be happy with that.

Should Varitek decide to turn this offer down, he would be in much worse shape than the Sox. Where would he go? It could be the end of his career, although I highly doubt that. On the other hand, if he doesn't sign with the Sox, the Sox can trade for a young stud in a heartbeat. They would just have to give up the right prospects, something they've been reluctant to do thus far.

Finally, keep in mind that John Ferrell would make an excellent mentor to a young catcher. He is quite the pitching coach and is more than capable of making the calls from the dugout.

I hope 'Tek returns to the Sox. I hope he returns to his old form of .280 and 20 dingers. He won't, but as a fan I can hope. Either way, spring training a couple weeks out, and it won't wait on anyone.

$5 Million w/ 2nd year option

From Boston Globe's, 'the buzz'

WEEI.com, citing unnamed sources, offered financial details on a potential two-year contract from the Red Sox and states there's a deadline for Jason Varitek to accept the offer: "WEEI.com has learned from a source close to the negotiations that the two-year offer made by the Red Sox to catcher Jason Varitek is for $5 million for the first year, along with a club option for $5 million or a $3 million player option for season No. 2 of the deal. It is believed incentives would be part of the agreement. The Red Sox have set a deadline for Varitek to accept the offer, although it is not known what date has been set."

proposal on the table for tek?

According to tony the MAZZ Massarotti, there is a proposal on the table to Varitek that could appease his desire for a second guaranteed year, although the amount is not specified in the report. Read 'Movement in Varitek talks?' for all the reported details.

Schilling announces Varitek signing with Sox

...if Curt were the GM of the Red Sox...

The Boston Red Sox would like to announce the signing of catcher Jason Varitek to a one-year, $8 million contract that contains a performance/mutual option for the 2010 season. If Jason is healthy and performs to standards he has in years prior to 2008, he can earn a total of $10.5 million during the 2009 season.

read Curt's entire entry and fake press release here.

(pic from singapore sox fan)

Bringing Tek back along with Curt's thoughts

We’re all still waiting and wondering if Jason Varitek will sign with the Sox again for one more year. The topic has been talked to death the last week or so, ever since it was reported that Varitek had requested a meeting to ‘clear the air’, here. Dan Shaughnessy points speaks some of the wisdom of a potential deal between the Sox and Tek, here.

Personally, I would love to see the Sox and Tek come to an agreement that could help both of them out. I think the Sox could sign Varitek to a 1 year contract between 4-5 million. This would allow Varitek a year to ‘pull it together’ offensively and possibly sign a multi-year deal following the season. If he doesn’t ‘pull it together’ at least he was given the opportunity and the Sox would be able to look for a starting catcher for another year. However, I believe the best thing to do would be to sign him for 2 years under the agreement that it would be as a mentor to his replacement. Then, trade some of the young talent to get Teagardon, Saltamachia, or Montero to become the catch of the future. Tek does have the ‘intangibles’ and there is no denying that. However, they are not as valuable as Boras, his agent, believes they are.

Everyone saves face with this move. The Sox don’t owe Varitek anything. They paid him to do his job for years and he did it. However, it would be a gracious gesture. The kind that creates more fans and wins them some respect. Not really necessary, but still something a fan would love to see.

Curt Schilling chimed in with his thoughts regarding the future of Tek. Below are some quotes, but you can catch the entire interview here.

Do you think Jason Varitek would be interested in transitioning into a coaching role over the next couple of years for the Red Sox? It seems like it would be a perfect fit for him. - Chaz Michael Michaels

Answer: I do think he’ll be a manager someday.


Curt, is Varitek the type of person who out of loyalty, might not sign with the Yankees if given the chance, or does being a Red Sox for so long play nothing into the decision? – Justin

Answer: He is that type of person in my opinion. He wouldn’t. But that’s my opinion only. I’ve never asked him.


How much of the success of the rotation is because of Varitek, and how much of it is due to advance scouting and knowing how to pitch to the opposing teams hitters? - Yac

Answer: The advance scouting is done FOR Jason and FOR John Farrell. Advance scouting is what the pitching coach usually uses on a team to address the staff before the series, hoping pitchers pay attention and listen. Here it’s to put together the book for Jason to translate to the staff in real time.

(pic from b3blogger)

Chatting with Chad

I'm chatting with Chad Finn as I begin my first post on this Red Sox Blog. He's doing his first 'Touching all the Bases' live chat and the entire script can be found here.

I honestly haven't been following Chad's blog until he was dropped into the 'ole Boston Globe mix, but I appreciate his approach. On that note, I look to the Globe for a majority of my most reliable and up-to-date Sox news. While I get hacked at the opinions of some of the writers there, often, I do appreciate their uncanny ability to break almost all the news. Good for them and good for us.

There have been so many times when I have wanted to share my opinions as they have differed greatly over the years from the mainstream media in regards to the Boston Red Sox. This is my platform now. Also, I always have the Sox on my brain and this will be a 'letting' of sorts. I just never seem to get tired of talking about or reading about MLB. Anyways, no apologies here...yet, as to the amount of Sox info that will be rolling, or the amount of my opinions.

Looks like Chad's chat is through and my question made it. See you soon!