Word on the Street
I feel obligated to bring up what has become one of the most tedious negotiations in Red Sox history. In one corner you have an aging Jason Varitek, he of the poor decision making agent. In the other corner you have the Red Sox, a team not overly enthusiastic about entering Spring Training with Josh Bard and either George Kottaras or Dusty "No I'm Not a Stripper" Brown. Tony Massarotti of Boston.com says Varitek has until 8:30am Friday to make up his mind.
Look, the Red Sox need Jason Varitek and he needs them.
If it is pride getting in Varitek's way, please, times are tough right now, and I'm only talking about in the world of baseball. On the other hand, if the Red Sox are trying to make some point to Varitek or his agent Scott Boras, then they hurting the team and that's no good.
Just get a deal done. I had suggested 2 years for $15mm a few weeks back and while that seems much higher than the reported offer the Red Sox have made (his choice of a 1-year at $5mm or 1-year at $5mm with a 2nd year team option at $5mm or a player option at $3mm), it would seem to be a deal that both sides could accept. Even a 2-year, $12mm deal would mean that the Red Sox have a veteran receiver coming into camp along side Josh Bard.
WEEI reported today that Varitek was considering either sitting out the 2009 season or retiring all together. The "sitting out the 2009 season" idea is crazy as he only needs to sit out until June and then any team can sign him without giving up a 1st round pick. The retirement scenario is possibly more likely, but after getting divorced this past off-season, I have to assume his pockets are a bit lighter than they were this time a year ago and a few million more in income might help. Please, he likes playing baseball, right?
At the end of the day, I really don't care the thoughts rattling around Varitek's head. Just sign the deal and go play baseball for one more year (or two). Baseball spending is down about 50% this off-season and as such, he shouldn't be too concerned with signing a deal that represents an annual pay cut of 50%. Especially with the lousy numbers he posted in 2008.
Just agree and go have fun Varitek. Otherwise, at 8:30am Friday morning, you might be looking for a new line of work.
Comments
Few things come to mind reading your post Andy.
Going through a divorce is about as much distracton as some people can handle. His lousy numbers might be not age related so much as divorce related. Yeah, aging doesnt help but that steep a drop off tells me to look for other causes.
I've read that Tek has a history of sitting it out periodically, so there won't be new ground broken if he does that. The Sox seem to like being in control of their players with team options. Manny hated his, but I'm sure Manny is thinking that $20 mil may be nice for 2K9. At least in this instance, Tek is offered a option of his own, with reduced money, for year two.
The Sox are truly hurting without this guy being in the lineup to create a rational bridge to sliding in a younger replacement. This is honestly an interesting bit of negotiating both sides are doing.
We'll have an answer to this drama in about an hour or so ...
Posted by: Mitchell![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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January 30, 2009 08:10 AM
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if he retires or sits out there would sure be a good book down the road from him :)
Posted by: blmeanie | January 30, 2009 08:25 AM |
"Word on the Street" I think someone might have a little too much Sesame Street on in his house. Speaking of that, did you see the Electric Company is back?
Anyway for the baseball part, the "sitting out 2009" is classic Boras, he has to try and create some leverage. After all, what team is going to blow a first round pick for Varitek?
Posted by: Peter![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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January 30, 2009 09:06 AM
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Mitchell, I have to assume his personal struggles interfered with his ability to hit a baseball last year. But to what degree we'll never know. Especially when matched up with his age.
Even if his personal issues are settled, maybe his age will catch up to him in 2009 and his hitting will still stink.
I still like the idea of signing Varitek for 2 years, AND...AND trading for a young apprentice that Varitek can influence.
Posted by: Andy | January 30, 2009 10:33 AM |