**Varitek And Henry Meet**

Tony Massarotti of the Boston Globe posted the following article at 11 PM EST Friday night. Hopeful news? I hope so and I hope the captain and the team can work this out. Read this and then I'll be back with a few words. Thanks...

"Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek and owner John Henry met for approximately 90 minutes near the player's Atlanta-area home tonight, but it remains unclear as to whether Varitek is any closer to returning to the team. Communicating via text message after the meeting, Varitek would say only that the meeting "went OK" and that there was "nothing to report." The Red Sox’ captain and longtime catcher said he met with Henry "to speak about how I feel" and answered "yes" when asked if his desire was to return to the team for the 2009 season.
Varitek declined comment when asked if the Red Sox similarly expressed a desire for him to return. He also declined to address any specifics as to why he remains unsigned less than four weeks before pitchers and catchers are due to report to spring training.
Henry could not be reached for comment. According to a baseball source, it was Varitek who requested the meeting."

Peter here...when asked, Theo Epstein had this to say about the chances of Jason returning to the Red Sox for the 2009 and maybe 2010 seasons...

"There's still some unfinished business," Epstein said. "Jason's still out there. As I said at the beginning of the offseason, he has been a really important guy here, to this organization. By no means have we shut the door on him. There's still unfinished business there, and also in the pursuit of a younger catcher."

It's Peter, and I'm back once again. Can't get rid of me! I feel this way...I want the club to sign Varitek to a one contract because he will help the pitchers devise their game plans and pitching routine even when he gets a couple days off. Bard should catch two games out of every five, minimum. The club might, however, trade a young arm for a talented catcher in his mid to late 20s...there's always that chance. But if they do pull the trigger and trade, oh, say, Buchholz, they'd better end up with a behind the plate guy who can throw out runners trying to steal second and able to bat at least .275. Boston would be parting with a lot...they should receive equal value or they just plain old shouldn't do it and sign 'Tek to a one year contract worth approximately $3-5 million dollars. Interest in him as a free agent has been dismal and I'm sure he's heartbroken, but we've know all along that he wanted to return to Friendly Fenway. That's where his heart is. The Rangers would be willing to move Jarrod Saltalamacchia, but have reportedly insisted on obtaining pitcher Clay Buchholz, a price the Sox are not inclined to meet. Arizona made Miguel Montero available, but the two sides have been unable to agree on a prospect in return. Both guys are young, experienced and could do a bang-up job.

Well, that's it for now on this frigid Saturday morning. It's actually 2 degrees warmer here in north central Connecticut than it was Friday morning, but it's still cold. The temperature right now is down to 7.3 degrees F. BELOW ZERO. I don't even want to go out and pick up the newspaper on my front doorstep, but of course I will. Have a great Saturday and a terrific weekend. If anything breaks in Red Sox news, I'll be on top of it, so you will be too. You can click on this post's title for more Soxiness from the Boston Herald. Your comments are always welcome. BE WELL. L'chaim (to life). Here's to you, Mrs. Robinson. Joltin' Joe has left the building, and so have I.