Varitek expected to reject arbitration

by Randy Booth on Dec 6, 2008 4:59 PM EST in News Comment 45 comments

According to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, Jason Varitek is expected to decline arbitration, meaning the Red Sox would earn two draft picks if he ends up signing elsewhere:

Dodgers left fielder Manny Ramirez, Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek and Mariners outfielder Raul Ibanez are among the free agents expected to reject arbitration and remain on the open market, major-league sources say.

A fluid market could lead some free agents to shift plans or even re-sign with their original clubs before they are required to make a decision on arbitration at midnight Sunday ET. But virtually all of the top free agents seem unwilling to accept arbitration, which would tie them to their clubs on one-year, non-guaranteed contracts.

[...]

Varitek, 36, seems an ideal candidate to accept the Red Sox's offer — despite batting only .220 last season, he would receive an increase from his $9 million salary through the arbitration process.

But Varitek's agent, Scott Boras, might prefer to keep pushing for a multi-year deal, perhaps even from the Red Sox — a bold approach, considering that the demand for high-priced catchers appears limited.

Some rival agents, however, believe that Boras might be offering Varitek in a "package deal" with the catcher's friend and fellow Georgia Tech alum, free-agent first baseman Mark Teixeira. The Red Sox are pursuing Teixeira, and the Nationals are among the other teams that might have interest in both players

Good news if Varitek doesn't re-sign with the Sox. However, I'll take a package deal if that means we can nab Teixeira easier. We'll give Teixeira his deal and then bring back Varitek for, say, a one-year deal? Sounds great to me, but probably not Scott Boras.

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A package deal?

I can’t see Tex agreeing to that – it only hurts his value and limits the teams that would want him. Yanks and Angels already have a catcher.

But the mere fact that this is being bandied about as a semi-credible theory demonstartes unequivocally that Scott Boras needs to be stopped. Can’t we like vote him out of office or something?

Manny ain't the only bad man.

by tommy.otm on Dec 6, 2008 5:22 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Impeachment?

OverTheMonster.com

by Randy Booth on Dec 6, 2008 5:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think the package deal is a Red Sox-only thing … at least that’s how I perceive it.

OverTheMonster.com

by Randy Booth on Dec 6, 2008 5:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

What a prick.

(Not you, of course.)

Manny ain't the only bad man.

by tommy.otm on Dec 6, 2008 5:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Theres no "package deal" its absurd.

by BTLove on Dec 7, 2008 7:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

When the deadline for Tek to sign wih the Sox?

I thought if he refuses arbitraion, then he’ll have a couple weeks to resign, else he can’t play for us til like May. Or something.

Right?

Manny ain't the only bad man.

by tommy.otm on Dec 6, 2008 5:24 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Correct as far as I understand as well.

by matzushocka45 on Dec 6, 2008 5:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Really? I've never heard that before.

That could hurt.

Clutch: A measurement of how much better or worse a player does in high leverage situations than he would have done in a context neutral environment. http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/glossary/

by bs.uf15bosox9bears23 on Dec 6, 2008 8:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Someone asked Jay Jaffe this very question last friday on BP. He said,

That rule fell by the wayside a couple years ago so they can now re-sign without penalty.

Straight outta HP. Go MDC!!!
http://soxcentury.blogspot.com

by alfonzo on Dec 6, 2008 9:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Ahhhh.

Thanks.

Manny ain't the only bad man.

by tommy.otm on Dec 6, 2008 9:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think the Union is behind this, no doubt Boras plays a big part as well. The union doesnt want these guys taking arbitration. It will be interesting to see what Varitek gets if he goes elsewhere, I can’t see him getting more than one year for 5-7 million plus a club option.

by matzushocka45 on Dec 6, 2008 5:24 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

The union and Boras just want players to earn the most possible

If that means they should take arbitration, then that’s what they would do. Myself I’m pretty unconvinced that Tek will do better in the market.

by BTLove on Dec 7, 2008 7:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'd like to point out

that Rosenthal didn’t quote me properly. I’m a Red Sox blogger, not a rival agent to Scott Boras. Not yet, anyway.

Rosenthal, Dec 6:
“Some rival agents, however, believe that Boras might be offering Varitek in a "package deal” with the catcher’s friend and fellow Georgia Tech alum, free-agent first baseman Mark Teixeira."

Me, Nov 20:
“Here’s a thought. Boras demands that both Tek and Tex get bundled together. If the Red Sox refuse to sign Tek, they’re out of the running for Tex.”

I await the correction on Fox Sports’ website with baited breath.*

*Not to be confused with ‘bated,’ which is much less ensnaring.

"It's just a tiny little nick, but it hurts when I get champagne in there."
- Jason Bay, on getting spiked scoring the winning run in ALDS Game Four.

by 0157H7 on Dec 6, 2008 6:43 PM EST reply actions 0 recs