Jason Varitek (1 Viewer)

[Jefferson the Caregiver]

This is a tricky one but depending on the price, the Sox are going to have to probably let him go.

What kind of contract will he want? Even 3 years is too many unless its dirt cheap, which it won't be. 4 years seems out of the question.

Yes, he is great with the pitchers. Yes, they still have young pitchers who will need him. Those are your positives.

The negatives are that he is becoming an automatic out at the plate and unless the Sox can revamp that bottom of the order in spite of him, this guy is going to be a liability. Im not sure how many years of catching the guy can do either, he is beat up at this stage in his career and since the guy has no value anywhere else but Catcher, signing him is dicey.

What do you think?

 

[[icon]]

Love the guy and would really like him to finish his career in Boston but isn't he a Boras guy? Greatly decreases the odds of a reasonable short term deal.

Boras will probably angle for 3/18 under some crazy set of contrived stats. Possibly a move to the NL is in order... who knows.

 

[NY/NJMFDIVER]

He'll be a Met next year on a 2 year, 16 million dollar deal.

 

[Jefferson the Caregiver]

Yeah he's Boras, and I agree it is going to make his price tag higher.

 

[Capella]

No way this guy should be starting next year. It brings up an interesting topic for the Sox though...they're suddenly sort of old.

Ortiz just looks old, fat slow and sloppy. And hurt. Maybe he can rebound, but to what extent?

How much more does Lowell have? Is Beckett hurt worse than they are letting on?

The CF, C and SS positions are maginal, Drew tends to get hurt and there's no 4/5 starter. Obviously there's some superb talent (Pedroria, Youk, Bay, Lester, Papelbon) but I wonder if some people are ignoring the flaws.

Should be an interesting off-season for them.

 

[Jefferson the Caregiver]

He'll be a Met next year on a 2 year, 16 million dollar deal.

I think the Mets are the most logical choice and watch Minaya sign him to 3 years.

 

[Jefferson the Caregiver]

The CF, C and SS positions are maginal, Drew tends to get hurt and there's no 4/5 starter. Obviously there's some superb talent (Pedroria, Youk, Bay, Lester, Papelbon) but I wonder if some people are ignoring the flaws.

Should be an interesting off-season for them.

I am not writing Buchholz off yet. He could easily become a decent #4 for them. Masterson may get converted as well and then you have Michael Bowden a little further off (probably not next year though). I think the Sox are still fine in their rotation.I am more concerned about the bats. Ortiz IMO is definately trending down but he should be better than this year. Lowell is a concern, definately.

I still think Ellsbury has another level in his game, I expect him to improve dramatically.

The Sox haven't stood pat in the offseason yet, they will do something, there are definately questions to address.

 

[Thunderlips]

Tek to the Yanks.... 5 years 40 million dollars.

 

[Capella]

I have a lot of faith in Bucholtz or however you spell it, long-term but not really next year. I mean, he's really messed up right now.

Bowden is a year away and I think they're leaving Masterson in the pen (for a devastating 8/9 inning combo). But, they'll probably sign somebody.

I'm not really as impressed with Ellsbury as the fanboys are. I don't doubt he's a capable starter, just not to the level some see.

But let's be real..if Ortiz falls off the cliff next year, this team will struggle. And we did see the difference between Manny and Bay finally in this series. Ortiz said so himself.

 

[Pat Patriot]

I have a lot of faith in Bucholtz or however you spell it, long-term but not really next year. I mean, he's really messed up right now.Bowden is a year away and I think they're leaving Masterson in the pen (for a devastating 8/9 inning combo). But, they'll probably sign somebody.I'm not really as impressed with Ellsbury as the fanboys are. I don't doubt he's a capable starter, just not to the level some see.But let's be real..if Ortiz falls off the cliff next year, this team will struggle. And we did see the difference between Manny and Bay finally in this series. Ortiz said so himself.

You are right. The Ortiz injury (???) is the key. Was his lack of production more related to his wrist injury or lack of Manny behind him?This will be a very interesting offseason. Based on current payroll levels, both the Yankees and Red Sox have a TON of money to spend due to the cash they have rolling off the payroll. The fact that both are now trailing the Rays in their division should make both of them even more aggressive than they normally would be.As JTC said, the Sox have young trading chips to use as well as Coco Crisp who should actually be tradeable from a position of strength now.There are no catchers available so the Sox will have to explore trades. I have heard rumors about Saltalamachia but I'm not sure how excited I am about him.I think the strength of the FA market looks to be Starting Pitcher which is not the Sox biggest need. Therefore, I think they need to look for a big bat through trade.

 

[=Smackdown=]

He'll be a Met next year on a 2 year, 16 million dollar deal.

Oh God no.Hopefully Omar learned his lesson with all the other old dudes he's signed - Alou, El Duque, Castillo, etc.

 

[guru_007]

This is a tricky one but depending on the price, the Sox are going to have to probably let him go.What kind of contract will he want? Even 3 years is too many unless its dirt cheap, which it won't be. 4 years seems out of the question.Yes, he is great with the pitchers. Yes, they still have young pitchers who will need him. Those are your positives.The negatives are that he is becoming an automatic out at the plate and unless the Sox can revamp that bottom of the order in spite of him, this guy is going to be a liability. Im not sure how many years of catching the guy can do either, he is beat up at this stage in his career and since the guy has no value anywhere else but Catcher, signing him is dicey.What do you think?

I'm really not sure who out there is better. I doubt a 37 year old catcher is going to demand a 3 year contract. Brad Ausmus has been making a living for about 20 years now, and he's never been able to hit. Plus there is the intangible aspect of being the captain and all. Here's a list of 2009 free agent catchers:Brad Ausmus (40)Paul Bako (37)Rod Barajas (33) - $2.5MM club option for '09 with a $0.5MM buyoutJosh Bard (31)Michael Barrett (32)Henry Blanco (37) - $3MM mutual option for '09 with a $0.3MM buyoutJohnny Estrada (33)Toby Hall (33) - $2.25MM club option for '09 with a $0.15MM buyoutJason LaRue (35)Paul Lo Duca (37)Miguel Olivo (30) - $2.7MM mutual option for '09 with a $0.1MM buyoutIvan Rodriguez (37)David Ross (32)Javier Valentin (33)Jason Varitek (37)Gregg Zaun (38)I don't see one guy there under 30 or with any significant upside.

 

[belljr]

I say let the pitchers bat and DH for Varitek...

 

[Jefferson the Caregiver]

I'm really not sure who out there is better. I doubt a 37 year old catcher is going to demand a 3 year contract.

The Yanks gave Posada a 4 year deal just last year.

 

[guru_007]

I'm really not sure who out there is better. I doubt a 37 year old catcher is going to demand a 3 year contract.

The Yanks gave Posada a 4 year deal just last year.

apples to orangesPosada was coming off a career year, whereas Varitek is coming off a year where he looked and played like a 37 year old catcher. The fact Posada signed the big deal and promptly got hurt doesn't really add to Varitek's bargaining position either.

 

[T Bell]

I have a lot of faith in Bucholtz or however you spell it, long-term but not really next year. I mean, he's really messed up right now.Bowden is a year away and I think they're leaving Masterson in the pen (for a devastating 8/9 inning combo). But, they'll probably sign somebody.I'm not really as impressed with Ellsbury as the fanboys are. I don't doubt he's a capable starter, just not to the level some see.But let's be real..if Ortiz falls off the cliff next year, this team will struggle. And we did see the difference between Manny and Bay finally in this series. Ortiz said so himself.

You are right. The Ortiz injury (???) is the key. Was his lack of production more related to his wrist injury or lack of Manny behind him?This will be a very interesting offseason. Based on current payroll levels, both the Yankees and Red Sox have a TON of money to spend due to the cash they have rolling off the payroll. The fact that both are now trailing the Rays in their division should make both of them even more aggressive than they normally would be.As JTC said, the Sox have young trading chips to use as well as Coco Crisp who should actually be tradeable from a position of strength now.There are no catchers available so the Sox will have to explore trades. I have heard rumors about Saltalamachia but I'm not sure how excited I am about him.I think the strength of the FA market looks to be Starting Pitcher which is not the Sox biggest need. Therefore, I think they need to look for a big bat through trade.

The Yankees are sure to have an open wallet this year as they'll want to make a big splash before they move into the new stadium, and of course they'll also want people to forget this year. I can see a few bidding wars for players between them and the BoSox this offseason.

 

[Thunderlips]

I think that there needs to be a bit of honesty and reality between Tek and the Front office. I know it's hard for an athlete to let go..(particularly a determined one like Tek). I know it's also hard for a FO (particularly one such as the Sox..who do seem to have a nice business plan that doesn't allow for frivolous spending) to admit when a player has achieved a certain status that isn't in direct proportion to his talent level. The FO should give him a "farewell 1 year fair market" deal...which Tek should sign, play out and then retire as a Redsox.

 

[David Yudkin]

I'm not really as impressed with Ellsbury as the fanboys are. I don't doubt he's a capable starter, just not to the level some see.

Ellsbury will not be the Willie Mays type that some may be envisioning, but he's very good at what he does. He steals bases and plays flawless OF. He's now played 164 regular and post season games without an error and has excellent range. If they can work on his eye and get him some more walks, he'd be a decent offensive threat and table setter. His other issue is that he goes on streaks that are very good or terrible with little in the middle. He'll have a month where he hits .350 followed by a month where he hits .150.