VARITEK Talks With Red Sox Resume
Good Monday morning, if there IS such a thing. I hope your New Years weekend was a great one. It was reported this morning in the Providence Journal that talks between the Red Sox and Jason Varitek and his agent, Scott Boras(s) (yes, HIM again) have resumed. What's the captain worth? Here's a bit of the Projo piece and I'll be back with my thoughts...
"Varitek and his agent, Scott Boras, initially wanted a four-year deal worth $40 million, similar to the deal Varitek just completed. In 2008, Varitek was the league’s third-highest paid catcher, behind Jorge Posada and Ivan Rodriguez of the Yankees. As the offseason has worn on, however, no other team has seemed interested in signing the 36-year-old Varitek to a long-term deal, and it is thought that Varitek and the Red Sox are now discussing a shorter contract.
What, then, is Varitek worth? By the numbers, veteran players producing at his level were generally paid between $2 million to $5 million by their teams in 2008, with the exception of the Yankees’ Rodriguez. If Varitek’s price were to drop that low, the Red Sox would probably be happy to bring him back for at least two more years. But if Varitek and Boras stick to their initial demands, the Red Sox will probably go another way, and end up with the same production for half the cost."
Peter here. First of all, it would be ridiculusly stupid if Boras(s) sticks to his original demands (seen above). But he's been known to make dumb mistakes before. Remember the AROD announcement a couple years back before the World Series ended? Sheer idiocy. He's not a god, as he thinks he is, he's a greedy human being who says he cares about his clients when all he cares about is his already oversized wallet. Wow, I wanted to use a couple "expletives deleted," but this is a G rated blog, for the most part.
Where was I? Oh...Boston would be smart to sign Jason to a two year deal for less than $7 million per year. 'Tek's expertise in game preparation is as important as his batting average, and who knows, he could find his swing once again. Yes, he's a couple years removed from being able to catch up with a 92 plus MPH fastball, but you never know. I know THIS...I want him back. Period.
You can click on this post's title for the entire Projo article, written by Daniel Barbarisi. As always, BE WELL. Skol. L'chaim. Your comments are welcome and I thank you once again for stopping in to my little place smack dab in the middle of the "blue nowhere."
posted by Peter N @ 5:33 AM
3 comments
3 Comments:
I don't believe Varitek is nearly as valuable behind the plate as the world seems to think. Standing NEXT to the plate, with a bat in his hands, he is completely worthless. The reason for that is he simply stands there far too long, while fat meatballs are being thrown over the plate by pitchers who have no fear of him any more. Then, when he moves, he swings at a juicy pitch in the dirt.
Back to his "behind the plate" value. The man jumps around like he has a severe rash in the nether regions. And I firmly believe all the skipping from one side of the plate to the other is the cause of so many wasted pitches by the staff and their high pitch counts. These are major leaguers; they throw to a target; if the target jumps out of position while they're starting their motion, then what is too frequently seen is a bad pitch. Watched the new MLB DOT COM and Larsen's perfect 1956 Series game. (I gagged a few times 'cause I'm an old Brooklyn Dodger fan, but I wanted to see all the old heroes.) And I watched Campy and Yogi specifically with the overhead and directly behind the camera angle. THEY STAYED PUT...EVERY PITCH...JUST MOVED THEIR GLOVES for a target. And those guys are in the HOF...a place Varitek will only enter with a paid admission.
Final point...I think Mr. Henry and his team are honorable and decent men. They don't want adulterers and cheaters on the team. They let Damion go. They let Lowe go. And we all know what kind of dudes they were to their families. They dropped Ramirez for being a saboteur. Now it appears they are letting Varitek know they don't want players who desert their families for young bimbos.
We must never forget that the only way to win games is to OUTSCORE the opponent. That means hitting. And that means Varitek is not a consideration.
Hello to you johnbee418...thanks for the comment, a great one. Every catcher has his own style...Varitek's is unique in that he does move around, but his glove is almost always a steady target. He doesn't want to tip the batter as to what pitch is coming. Yes, his offensive skills have gone downhill immensely. But they might resurge in '09. His game preparation with his pitcher of the day is unmatched. I say the Sox should resign him at a REASONABLE rate (take that, Borass) for two years while they look for an everyday pitcher, not a Bard. He should get two days off of every five. And yes, we get the new mlb channel here in north central Connecticut...it's great!
Again, thanks for your insightful comment. I hope to see more of them. Take care.
I meant "everyday catcher"...my mistake.
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