Varitek re-signs with Sox

This has also been reported by John Heyman

I’m told he’s a mouthpiece for Scott Boras.

"You know you're having a bad day when the fifth inning rolls around and they drag the warning track." - Mike Flanagan, Baltimore Orioles pitcher, 1992.

by SoxDevil on Jan 30, 2009 3:04 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

Its on redsox.com, too. Good, maybe we can cut Josh Bard, the only guy I am not to happy about signing in the offseason.

~ ROLL TIDE ~

GO SOX!!

by Bama Sox on Jan 30, 2009 3:18 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Why?

Bard was better than Varitek in 2006 and 2007. Last year, he was hurt.

I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.

by Drugs Delaney on Jan 30, 2009 3:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That $2MM in incentives only applies to the player option, not the club option.
Therefore, We pay $5 mil this year, and have the option of paying $5 mil next year. If we don’t exercise our option, Tek can become a FA, or take his $3MM option with the ability to earn an extra $2MM in incentives (for games started).

In either case, the most he can earn over two years is $10MM. That sounds fine to me.

by Schulz on Jan 30, 2009 5:30 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Bad deal

"Hey we got a lot in common here... I'm gonna rape you"

by MerryGoByeBye on Jan 30, 2009 6:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Huzzah for unsupported opinions!

For those children who claimed they’ve been a fan of their favorite team all their life, or even since they were about four or five years old: bullshit. There’s always that certain event or certain player that draws to the sport and draws you to a team. For me, Nomar Garciaparra was that reason. - Nick Coviello: I Try To See Rocco, But All I Think Is Nomar; 1/9/09

by bs.uf15bosox9bears23 on Jan 30, 2009 10:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Too much money

And Tek tooking so long to sign might have a bad effect with the fans.

"Hey we got a lot in common here... I'm gonna rape you"

by MerryGoByeBye on Jan 31, 2009 12:24 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I still support him.

And $5mil ain’t much.

For those children who claimed they’ve been a fan of their favorite team all their life, or even since they were about four or five years old: bullshit. There’s always that certain event or certain player that draws to the sport and draws you to a team. For me, Nomar Garciaparra was that reason. - Nick Coviello: I Try To See Rocco, But All I Think Is Nomar; 1/9/09

by bs.uf15bosox9bears23 on Jan 31, 2009 3:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm happy.

$5 million isn’t very much to pay for stabilizing our game calling and game preparation – I’d be nervous about having a brand new catching duo learning the ropes. And Tek is a work horse, which is a positive clubhouse influence. And his presence significantly helps our bargaining power in acquiring a young catcher, if we decide to go that way. Ultimately Tek’s role should and will be that of mentor.

Manny ain't the only bad man.

by tommy.otm on Jan 30, 2009 6:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

+ like a billion

For those children who claimed they’ve been a fan of their favorite team all their life, or even since they were about four or five years old: bullshit. There’s always that certain event or certain player that draws to the sport and draws you to a team. For me, Nomar Garciaparra was that reason. - Nick Coviello: I Try To See Rocco, But All I Think Is Nomar; 1/9/09

by bs.uf15bosox9bears23 on Jan 30, 2009 10:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It depends on his (Tek's) mindset??

I agree with what you wrote, and if Tek saw it that way, this free agent fiasco trip/story would never have occurred. Therefore in Tek’s mind, he must still see himself as a playing commodity of note, which does not bode well for being benched much of the time as a mentor! We will see, but if Tek plays too much (because he is washed up) or resents being benched and kept only as a mentor, he may well have a negative influence on morale, IMO!

by NG on Jan 31, 2009 11:06 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

There

Very well said, that’s why I think this is a bad deal: Tek still seems himself as a starter, even elite catcher.

"Hey we got a lot in common here... I'm gonna rape you"

by MerryGoByeBye on Jan 31, 2009 11:26 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

So did Coco Crisp.

So did Julian Tavarez. So does Mark Kotsay. So did Jay Payton, and Tek is no Jay Payton.

It’s Tito’s job to deal with the player’s personalities. Tek has had all off-season to come to terms with the fact that nobody agrees with his self-assessment, save his agent, and that the Sox are preparing to move forward. Maybe he comes in hungry.

Manny ain't the only bad man.

by tommy.otm on Jan 31, 2009 12:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Varitek is the captain

Kotsay, Payton, Crisp and Hoolian weren’t. You’re stretching a bit.

"Hey we got a lot in common here... I'm gonna rape you"

by MerryGoByeBye on Jan 31, 2009 1:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think the "C" factors in too much.

“Team first” and all that jazz. Save for that one outburst after being PH for, he’s always been a relatively humble guy, probably more so after this off-season.

Manny ain't the only bad man.

by tommy.otm on Jan 31, 2009 6:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

And his presence significantly helps our bargaining power in acquiring a young catcher, if we decide to go that way.

Just out of curiosity, how does this signing help out the Red Sox’s bargaining power in acquiring a young catcher? It looks to me like all it does is put the Red Sox in the position to say catcher is not so great a need anymore. How does that make the Rangers or the Diamondbacks more likely to deal the Sox a catcher on the cheap?

by Athos on Jan 31, 2009 8:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Bargaining 101, really.

If the other side thinks you’re desperate, you have a weak bargaining position.

It was pretty obvious that Bard and Kotteras/Brown wasn’t going to be our catching corps. The Rangers and Diamondbacks knew we HAD TO get another catcher, and could ask for the sky and moon. Now we’re can go into the season with Tek and Bard. It’s not ideal, but it’ll be better than last year (assuming Tek doesn’t get too much crappier and Bard > Cash), and last year we didn’t miss by much. So now, if the Sox make a deal, they’ll be dealing from a stronger position.

Manny ain't the only bad man.

by tommy.otm on Jan 31, 2009 8:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

And I wasn't saying "on the cheap" necessarily, but now we don't have to trade our best pitching prospect.

Manny ain't the only bad man.

by tommy.otm on Jan 31, 2009 8:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yep.

For those children who claimed they’ve been a fan of their favorite team all their life, or even since they were about four or five years old: bullshit. There’s always that certain event or certain player that draws to the sport and draws you to a team. For me, Nomar Garciaparra was that reason. - Nick Coviello: I Try To See Rocco, But All I Think Is Nomar; 1/9/09

by bs.uf15bosox9bears23 on Jan 31, 2009 8:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You do if you want one of Texas' catchers. : )

We haven’t seen any indication that JD is planning on lowering his asking price. I don’t see a deal happening, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing for either Boston or Texas.

by Athos on Feb 2, 2009 5:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I guess this is what I really don’t get. The only reason the Rangers or Diamondbacks would have to lower their demand is if THEY are anxious to move a catcher. The current catching situation really only affects Boston’s approach to a potential trade. I’ve always taken Theo at his word that Buch wasn’t going anywhere for a catcher. But I don’t see how having Tek in the mix makes JD or Arizona’s GM more desperate to trade a young catcher.

Personally, at least as far as Texas is concerned, I don’t see a deal happening because neither team has much incentive to cave to the other’s demands. Boston’s lineup and pitching staff are so good that having a hole at catcher again shouldn’t hurt them, so there’s no rush to get a deal done. Texas has places to play every one of their catchers which gives each an opportunity to raise their trade value, so they aren’t in a position of having to get rid of one to make playing time for the others (at least, not yet). I don’t think the Tek signing really changes any of that.

by Athos on Feb 2, 2009 5:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think sitting on your three catching prospects is a bad move for Texas.

One is going to jump out in front of the others – probably Teagarden – leaving Salty and Ramirez with little playing time, and ultimately stunting their development. Not as big a deal for Ramirez – he sort of projects as a back up anyways. But I think the smart move is to get what you can for Salty before other teams realize that he won’t stick at catcher.

That said, I don’t want really Salty.

Manny ain't the only bad man.

by tommy.otm on Feb 2, 2009 8:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm just glad the drama is over.

"You know you're having a bad day when the fifth inning rolls around and they drag the warning track." - Mike Flanagan, Baltimore Orioles pitcher, 1992.

by SoxDevil on Jan 30, 2009 7:13 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

This

by walkoff baltimore chop on Jan 30, 2009 7:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

OK

So basically, we got a lot more pitching depth, more catchers, more relief pitchers, Jamie Kotsay, msot everyone healthy again… how about a championship run?

Well, I'll appreciate for you to keep my zingers outta your mouth!

by BoSox415 on Jan 30, 2009 9:01 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

We need more grit(s).

For those children who claimed they’ve been a fan of their favorite team all their life, or even since they were about four or five years old: bullshit. There’s always that certain event or certain player that draws to the sport and draws you to a team. For me, Nomar Garciaparra was that reason. - Nick Coviello: I Try To See Rocco, But All I Think Is Nomar; 1/9/09

by bs.uf15bosox9bears23 on Jan 30, 2009 10:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

No self respecting

Southerner eats Instant Grits. I take pride in my Grits.

Baseball is God's sport! All Truth Goes Through Three Stages 1.It is ridiculed 2.It is violently opposed 3.Finally, it is accepted as self-evident. kinesiologist

by E5 on Feb 4, 2009 5:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I just looked for a grits pic on Google.

I didn’t want someone to think it was oatmeal. Plus, the instant bit adds to the suspense of being less than two weeks away from baseball.

For those children who claimed they’ve been a fan of their favorite team all their life, or even since they were about four or five years old: bullshit. There’s always that certain event or certain player that draws to the sport and draws you to a team. For me, Nomar Garciaparra was that reason. - Nick Coviello: I Try To See Rocco, But All I Think Is Nomar; 1/9/09

by bs.uf15bosox9bears23 on Feb 4, 2009 7:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

My Cousin Vinny reference?

great movie.

by BTLove on Feb 4, 2009 7:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh. I took it seriously. Curse my Valdosta upbringing.

For those children who claimed they’ve been a fan of their favorite team all their life, or even since they were about four or five years old: bullshit. There’s always that certain event or certain player that draws to the sport and draws you to a team. For me, Nomar Garciaparra was that reason. - Nick Coviello: I Try To See Rocco, But All I Think Is Nomar; 1/9/09

by bs.uf15bosox9bears23 on Feb 4, 2009 8:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm more of a biscuits and gravy guy.

The rhythm is the bass and the bass is the treble

by DirtySouthSox on Feb 5, 2009 2:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It's all good.

For those children who claimed they’ve been a fan of their favorite team all their life, or even since they were about four or five years old: bullshit. There’s always that certain event or certain player that draws to the sport and draws you to a team. For me, Nomar Garciaparra was that reason. - Nick Coviello: I Try To See Rocco, But All I Think Is Nomar; 1/9/09

by bs.uf15bosox9bears23 on Feb 5, 2009 7:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

sad

Baseball is God's sport! All Truth Goes Through Three Stages 1.It is ridiculed 2.It is violently opposed 3.Finally, it is accepted as self-evident. kinesiologist

by E5 on Jan 30, 2009 9:51 PM EST reply actions 0 recs