It's that time of year again.  Time to look at the catching situation and collectively nod our heads in what has become a perennial acknowledgment that something must be done.  In years past, the captain has been able to bump his average up to a passable .250 and continues to win our hearts with his post-no-hitter hugs that make for great covers on Sports Illustrated.

This year appears different.  I don't have to pull statistics to show you that he seems to have lost it.  His swing just looks ugly, and he can't lay off high heat, period.  Maybe it will work itself out as the year goes on, but these slumps continue getting longer and longer, and a week hitting .300 isn't going to cut it.

Why not wait to address the issue, since it likely won't be resolved until the offseason as it is?  Games like tonight show us how important the bottom third of the order has become.  Papi coming back will obviously help, which should replace Crisp's mediocrity.  We can live with Lugo's offense.  He showed us last year that even when he isn't hitting he can make productive outs (had plenty of RBI's from the bottom of the lineup).  But varitek has turned into a black hole in the 8-spot.  Intangibles aside, this team needs to win baseball games.  Tonight's game against the Yankees is just another example  of the ineptitude of the lower third of the lineup.  These are games that will absolutely need to be won in order to make the post-season, with the Rays and Yankees both competing and the wild card race tight, the Sox are going to need a little bit more pop at the end of the order.

With the trade deadline looming, I think it's time we address the alternatives at catcher.  I am hoping mostly to spark conversation rather than provide ultra-detailed analysis, but the options I see that have potential are Cash starting every day (not an option), promoting someone from AAA (Kottaras isn't hitting much better than Varitek, but has the added benefit that he'd be getting necessary big league mileage), or hitting the trade market.  What options are available?  Saltalammachia (or Laird) from the Rangers? Salty seems tailor made for the Sox?  Johjima from Seattle?  Another Josh Bard adventure?

Who do we have waiting in the wings at AA or A? Will they be major league ready next year? 2010?  Will the lineup be strong enough as it is once papi is back?

I'm sure the Sox will stick with Varitek for the year, and possibly sign him for another contract.  He may be the only exception to the "we don't want to spend on declining veterans no matter how much the fans like them" rule. (we still miss you, trot).  But regardless of what the sox do, what do you all think they *should* do?