The Varitek Conversation
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?
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Comments
I hope Tek is our starting catcher until the end of the season
He’s the team captain, even if only because of that. Wait until the season is over, he’ll want a big contract he won’t get, and then we grab some young C. If the FO has faith in the younger guys, I think they’ll try to sign Tek for another year to let them develop some more.
Don’t underestimate the ‘intangibles’ stuff. NY gave 20+ million to a crappy SS just because of this stuff. :)
It's the same old story. Boy finds girl, boy loses girl, girl finds boy, boy forgets girl, boy remembers girl, girls dies in a tragic blimp accident over the Orange Bowl on New Year's Day.
by MerryGoByeBye on Jul 6, 2008 3:25 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I like Tek behind the plate
And I want to see him retire in a Sox uniform. But it’s undeniable that his skills at the plate have diminished. I don’t see Kottaras helping us out – we’re going to need to look elsewhere. If Salty is unavailable (or available at too high a price), the Rangers also have Taylor Teagarden who might be worth a look…
by soxaholic on Jul 6, 2008 10:50 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Stick with Tek
I think we can afford to have one guy in the lineup not tearing the cover off the ball. His value to the pitching staff is tremendous, and his skill handling pitchers and calling games is pretty well undervalued. I’d rather have a guy hitting .230 that the pitchers love to throw to and trust than a guy hitting .278 that calls a lousy game. ‘Cause, let’s face it, we’re not getting a catcher from anyone that is going to hit .300 with 20 homers and throws out base runners.
by sggut95 on Jul 6, 2008 11:50 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
No more Tek
Tek is hitting .219/.301/.360 and we cannot have that in our lineup anymore. For comparison Cesar Izturis is hitting .241/.315/.313. We are basically getting Cesar Izturis-like production from his spot in the lineup. His ability to handle the pitchers is important, but not enough to warrant a spot in the lineup when he’s hitting that poorly.
by Gnick on Jul 6, 2008 12:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Keep Tek
This guy is way too valuable behind the plate. What kind of message would that send to the team if you bench the Captain? He get’s better the second half. I don’t see him getting big money on another contract but I would love to see him retire with the Sox.
by SULLY172 on Jul 6, 2008 1:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Keep Tek until the end of the season, then let Cash take over the helm.
And then make Cash our starter. Sure, Tek can’t hit this year. But he is on of the best at handling the pitching staff in the majors. I wish we could just rely on the numbers, just make the job easier, but he is the captain, and captains DO NOT ride the bench. Then let Cash be all-time catcher, including Wakefield (When is Wakefields contract finished?)
But then who will be the team captain? I dont think it would be the best for our captain to just hit and not play the field, so Ortiz is out. Manny? Uh, no. Youk, because of those tantrums after outs, wouldn’t be the best choice. Give Pedroia a few years. They call him the TO of baseball, and with his amazing defense and few strikeouts, even though every swing may look like his last. Right now, I’d say Mike Lowell ia the best choice for team captain. He is a good team leader, is the all-time leader in fielding percentage at third base, and can hit.
If the right side of the brain controls the left side of the body, then only lefties are in the right mind. Bill "Spaceman" Lee
by BoSox415 on Jul 6, 2008 2:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Wakefield's contract
Can be renewed yearly for $4 million until the end of time as long as the Sox and Wake want him to continue pitching.
by soxaholic on Jul 6, 2008 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Captain and Cash
You don’t need to have a team captain. Only 3 teams do and the Red Sox very rarely have had one throughout their history. I’d say only to name a team captain when there is an extremely good leader on the team, like Tek.
As for Cash, he simply cannot hit well enough to be a starter. His career line is .180/.239/.277
by Gnick on Jul 6, 2008 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think
Tek is going to turn it around, at least a little bit. I think he’ll finish in the .250/.330/.410 range. I think you keep him in the lineup. You don’t blow things up just because one of your players is struggling, and you just can’t bench Tek. It would be a blow to the whole team. And I really like having him around to work with the young guys like Masterson, Bucholtz, Lester, and Delcarmen. These guys are obviously key to the Sox’ continued success, and I’d hate to mess with their comfort level.
by sggut95 on Jul 7, 2008 5:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

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