However, I think I could steal a base against him…

this thought appears to be a moment of lucidity, rather than a symptom of madness. Clearly the electroshock treatments are having the desired effect. (Just kidding.)

One of the best thing about Saltalamacchia is that you can platoon him very effectively with Tek. Each one of them has a distinctive split, and together they are complementary.
2008 Salty against RH: .311 / .426 / .451 (148 PA)
Career Salty against RH: .298 / .373 / .457
2008 Varitek against LH: .284 / .378 / .484
Career Tek against LH: .284 / .362 / .468

Of course, with Cash also in the stable, it might make sense to jettison Tek entirely. I’m definitely offering him arbitration, but this is one circumstance where I wouldn’t be unhappy if he accepted.

We’d need “Salty Rules” of course. Except unlike the Joba rules, the Salty rules would have him playing as much as possible, and Varitek as little as possible. I worry that Tito would give Tek way too much playing time, given his limited skill set at this point.

Also, Varitek needs to accept a 1-year deal if he wants to stay in Boston. No to 2-years. If he wants to stay, 1-year, $4 million is all he deserves. If some other teams wants to give him two or three years, more power to them, and more draft picks to us!

…what do you see the BoSox being willing to part with for Saltalamacchia?

He appears to be a decent hitter who can’t catch. In my opinion, unless you hit like Mike Piazza did (or Posada), you are pretty useless as a catcher if you are below average defensively.

Salty is a project player, who may need a year or so in the minors to learn his craft. I’m not willing to trade a Bowden, Masterson, Ellsbury, or Buchholz for a player who may never be adequate behind the plate. The Sox don’t need a 1B/DH—and I’m not sure Salty hits sell enough to be a 1B/DH

As for Tek, bring him back if he’ll sign an inexpensive 1-2 year contract ($6 million or less). After the last 2.5 years he deserves a pay cut.

The problem with a Tek/Cash platoon is it has absolutely no upside. I’m intrigued by Dusty Brown, a very good defensive catcher who hit .290 AVG/.377 OBP/.471 SLG in Pawtucket last year. He is 26-years old, when most catchers begin their prime. His numbers compare with those of Kelly Shoppach, who would probably start on the Sox right now. A Brown/Tek platoon (assuming one could catch Wake) wouldn’t cost the Sox anything; it might be better than a Salty/Tek platoon, at least in the short-term; and it buys time for Luis Exposito, the Sox’ top catching prospect (currently in high A).

I’m not a big Varitek fan. But the Sox can still win with his anemic bat. Last year Boston was second in run-scoring, despite Tek’s bat and injuries to Papi, Lowell, and Drew.

That if he does come to Boston, then every kid would learn how to spell his name? Same with Teixeira.

Anyway, yes, trade for him, sending… who? Cash, money? Cash, the catcher? Tek will be lucky to get a double-digit contracts in terms of money. 53 million is ridiculous.

Do any of you Tek lovers hear it?? Tek is through, and he is not worth a cent, nevermind millions. The past is gone, over, caput, and the future is where you need to play and win. A washed up hitter and a washed up arm in a aging body is not worth this kind of discussion. Cut him loose and good riddens if he is too stupid to know when to retire. Get on with a youthful replacement, which is just called facing reality!

Seriously, what is the rush on this move. There are plenty of FA catchers as good or better than Tek. Plus San Fran wants to move Bengie Molina, who is an excellent defensive catcher who can hit well.

The player the Sox want is Teagarden, he is better than Salty. However, everyone needs to understand that Salty or Teagarden or Ramirez will cost either Buchholz or Bowden. Shoppach will cost less, all the Indians want is a “Closer” type MLB player.

As for Tek, Boras believes that the Sox MUST sign him, but that theory is going to be thrashed in the end.

You meant “Bear with me”, right? “Bare with me” would mean get undressed. THERE ARE MINORS READING THIS MAN!!! And I don’t mean Lars, Buch, Bowden, and Co.

Okay, first off, my mom is kinda obsessive over Varitek. I would imagine that there are several other women who agree with her, judging from the whistling when he comes up to bat, but that’s not the point.

She was reading one of the articles on the Sox’ web site about Tek and the rumors, when she came across a comment. It read something to the effect of: “Isn’t it weird that Tek started playing better once he and his wife seperated?”

Anyone think that Tek might do better now that he has what might have been a distraction out of the way?

PS: He’s supposedly with Heidi of NESN now. Sucks for the users who drooled over Heidi earlier this season.

Salty: May not be a long or short-term solution at catcher. Won’t hit enough to be an option over others at 1B (Youks, Tex?, Lars) or DH (Papi, Tex?, Lars?)

Teagarden: Good enough both ways that you have to think Buch would be the target for the Rangers. If you believe in Bowden and in Beckett bouncing back, some thought has to be given to this.

Shoppach: Cleveland may or may not stick with Victor Martinez at catcher, especially given that their two best hitting prospects (I think) are Beau Mills and Matt LaPorta, either of which might be a permanent resident at 1B. Cleveland wants a late-inning potential closer reliever. Masterson, Delcarmen, Bard are the names who could fit that requirement on our end. Have to think about it, and the non-Masterson’s might require a little more sweetener for Cleveland.

Martin: Apparently the Dodgers have seen reason and have been emphatically stating that he is not leaving. We’ll see.

Bryan Anderson: Not sure what St. Louis would want and whether he’d be on the block. Patient but with little power. Poor man’s Mauer?

Think about it, kids. Something about Dusty Brown gives the Sox serious pause about giving him ML playing time. Kottaras may be offense-only. Wagner may be defense-only. Exposito is two years away at best. Make a big move now, or go with Varitek for one or two years. And you have to think about making the big move: do we want to part with Buch, Bowden, or Masterson? Of course not. But you have to give up something of value to get something of value.

Oh, and no Salty for me. Thanks.

Kid’s the best Sox pitching prospect since Clemens. It would have to be an insane player, like McCann or Martin. Other than that just keep him.

On the Indians. Sign Tex, then Lowell for Santana plus.

Jingo, jingo bah.