Will Varitek be on the roster opening day (POLL)

[Tr1boy]

I bet he makes 2-5 million on a one year contract from the sox, with that being one of the only offers he gets. We will also trade for Saltalamaccia and have V-tek mentor him. That is my prediction.

i see it closer to 5-10 million one year deal.

[SShorefan 3.0]

So far 8 think that Varitek will be back and 8 think he's gone.

According to news reports the Sox are moving on (unless it's posturing, but I don't think so).

Today
The Boston Globe reports that the Red Sox and Diamondbacks "clearly feel there is a fit" for a Miguel Montero trade and speculates that "it is only a matter of finding the right match."
According to the newspaper, "the Diamondbacks are seeking only a comparable prospect in return" for Montero, which seemingly differs from a Boston Herald report Monday that suggested Arizona had asked for "Michael Bowden and/or Daniel Bard." If acquired, Montero would likely platoon with Josh Bard and signal the end of Jason Varitek's time in Boston.

January 7
On whether they Sox will sign Varitek, a Boras client:
Gammons: Well, if he calls and says, 'I'll sign at $2 million,' they might do it. If someone would just sign Varitek, the Red Sox would say, 'Thank you, we'll take the draft choices.' Now, I'm not sure anybody is going to sign him. One player said to me, 'Well, the Marlins might sign Varitek for $5 million.' No, they won't . . . they Marlins aren't giving up a first-round draft pick for Jason Varitek. Can't happen. I don't know what's going to happen . . . I still think the Red Sox will trade for a catcher, whether it's now or the 15th of March, and I don't know what's going to happen with Jason. It's too bad. How Scott Boras looked him in the eye and said, 'By the way, I turned down $10 million [in arbitration],' is beyond me. He turned down arbitration -- he would have made a minimum of $10 million, maybe $11 million. And there are a bunch of guys like that -- Jon Garland, Orlando Cabrera. There are a bunch of guys who are not even going to come close to what they made in arbitration.

[yall hate]

how about, Yes, but the sox think he is past his prime?  having been offered Arbitration, he is so totally boxed in (no team will give up their first rounder in addition to cash).

I am guessing the Sox will resign him for something like 1 year 4-5 mill guaranteed, and another 4-5 mill in potential incentives...

I didnt vote in the poll, because as I said, I think he will be back on a 1 year deal but the sox also know he is cooked

[Chris]

how about, Yes, but the sox think he is past his prime?  having been offered Arbitration, he is so totally boxed in (no team will give up their first rounder in addition to cash).

I am guessing the Sox will resign him for something like 1 year 4-5 mill guaranteed, and another 4-5 mill in potential incentives...

I didnt vote in the poll, because as I said, I think he will be back on a 1 year deal but the sox also know he is cooked

I think this is pretty accurate. 

[Jon]

Apparently John Henry's meeting with Varitek tonight in Atlanta.

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2009/01/varitek_henry_t.html

The smart thing for Varitek to do (if this is possible) would be to fire Boras and sign with the Sox at $11 million (about what he would have made in arbitration) minus whatever Boras normally would've gotten out of it. 

I can't believe how many players are sticking with Boras.  He basically used Varitek as a pawn to prove to teams that he drives a hard bargain and won't back off.  That works with a superstar in his prime like Texeira, but all it does with Varitek is help Boras's other clients by proving he's a bad-ass.  Same with Manny.  A lot of good his games have done for him over the past year or so. 

[Chris]

Apparently John Henry's meeting with Varitek tonight in Atlanta.

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2009/01/varitek_henry_t.html

The smart thing for Varitek to do (if this is possible) would be to fire Boras and sign with the Sox at $11 million (about what he would have made in arbitration) minus whatever Boras normally would've gotten out of it. 

I can't believe how many players are sticking with Boras.  He basically used Varitek as a pawn to prove to teams that he drives a hard bargain and won't back off.  That works with a superstar in his prime like Texeira, but all it does with Varitek is help Boras's other clients by proving he's a bad-ass.  Same with Manny.  A lot of good his games have done for him over the past year or so. 

I have a hard time believing the Sox would be offering $11 million (unless it is over 2 years) right now.  I don't think Boras has anything to do with it at this point.  The Sox aren't going to offer more money if Varitek dumps Boras.  I think Varitek and Boras just overplayed their hand, and misread the market.  Now, they will likely have to take what the Sox offer them.

[yall hate]

Apparently John Henry's meeting with Varitek tonight in Atlanta.

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2009/01/varitek_henry_t.html

The smart thing for Varitek to do (if this is possible) would be to fire Boras and sign with the Sox at $11 million (about what he would have made in arbitration) minus whatever Boras normally would've gotten out of it. 

I can't believe how many players are sticking with Boras.  He basically used Varitek as a pawn to prove to teams that he drives a hard bargain and won't back off.  That works with a superstar in his prime like Texeira, but all it does with Varitek is help Boras's other clients by proving he's a bad-ass.  Same with Manny.  A lot of good his games have done for him over the past year or so. 

I have a hard time believing the Sox would be offering $11 million (unless it is over 2 years) right now.  I don't think Boras has anything to do with it at this point.  The Sox aren't going to offer more money if Varitek dumps Boras.  I think Varitek and Boras just overplayed their hand, and misread the market.  Now, they will likely have to take what the Sox offer them.

yea I agree.  no way in hell they go to 11.  there is no reason to.  and this organization has shown that they make business decisions not sentimental ones.

I think Tek (I think I mentioned this oin this or another thread) will get about 4-5 million with some sort of incentives that could push it back to about 10 million if he reached them all. 


And as for the poster who cant believe clients stick with boras - the guy wins significantly more then he loses.  hell, he just got Alex Cora 2 million from the mets.  Cora isnt worth 200k, and had no one interested.  Boras, quite simply is the best at what he does.  that doesnt mean he wins everytime, but he certainly wins the vast majority.

[SShorefan 3.0]

14-12 leaning towards Varitek coming back.

If you haven't read Schilling's blog post on WEEI about the Varitek negotiation I recommend that you do.  I think the blow hard has some great points and although I think he's a few million high, I think he's right on.

[TripleThreat]

A baseball source tells The Boston Globe that the Red Sox have made a contract offer to the veteran catcher and team captain. Without citing specifics, the report states the proposal given to Varitek's agent, Scott Boras, may include a second guaranteed season.

Looks like the Red Sox are adding a second year to the offer.

[Toine43]

http://blogs.weei.com/robbradford/2009/01/25/deadline-for-varitek/

WEEI gives specific years and money.

$5 million in year one, with a club option for year 2 worth $5 million, and a player option for year 2 worth $3 million.

[gkiteisscal]

A baseball source tells The Boston Globe that the Red Sox have made a contract offer to the veteran catcher and team captain. Without citing specifics, the report states the proposal given to Varitek's agent, Scott Boras, may include a second guaranteed season.

Looks like the Red Sox are adding a second year to the offer.

SOSH reports (?) that Sox offered Varitek a 1 yr deal for $5M with a club option fo $5M or a player option for $3M.  So it is more or less a 2 year deal.  If Tek performs beyond expectations (IMO doubtful) they will pick him up and if he doesn't he will pick it up because it will be the only deal available for him.

I wonder if this means that they are going to still look to acquire a young catcher or if they are going to put all their eggs in one basket and go after Mauer in 2010?

IMO I hope they still go after Salty.  If they get him and he proves that he can hit but not catch he can platoon at 1b/C/DH over the next two years and then he can either move to DH or 1b (wherever Lars doesn't project to play) in 2010 and the Sox can still go hard after Mauer.  But I'd like to see them shore up this position so it does not turn into the revolving door that SS has, C is too valuable of a position.

[TripleThreat]

http://blogs.weei.com/robbradford/2009/01/25/deadline-for-varitek/

WEEI gives specific years and money.

$5 million in year one, with a club option for year 2 worth $5 million, and a player option for year 2 worth $3 million.

Why do you have to show me up like that? Haha, just kidding, thanks for the info. I bet Varitek is wishing he would have accepted arbitration now...

[TripleThreat]

A baseball source tells The Boston Globe that the Red Sox have made a contract offer to the veteran catcher and team captain. Without citing specifics, the report states the proposal given to Varitek's agent, Scott Boras, may include a second guaranteed season.

Looks like the Red Sox are adding a second year to the offer.

IMO I hope they still go after Salty.  If they get him and he proves that he can hit but not catch he can platoon at 1b/C/DH over the next two years and then he can either move to DH or 1b (wherever Lars doesn't project to play) in 2010 and the Sox can still go hard after Mauer.  But I'd like to see them shore up this position so it does not turn into the revolving door that SS has, C is too valuable of a position.

I agree that we need a younger catcher ASAP but I'm a bit skeptical about Saltalamacchia. I thought last year would be his breakout year and he did nothing but disappoint. But then again when you start considering the alternatives there isn't much out there. Maybe a year or two from now something better will be available.

[gkiteisscal]

I think the only other option at this point is Montero and I think he can be an adequate player but Salty has higher upside and could be had for a similar price (Bowden).  Also, if Salty doesn't pan out as a C, he has experience at 1b and could DH b/c his bat is projected to be much stronger than Montero's.  So he provides flexibility, which is something the Sox value.

[TripleThreat]

That is a good point but I don't think the Sox are ready to deal Buchholz to get Saltalamacchia and I think the Rangers are pretty set on getting the young gun who threw the no hitter in 2007. Like Salty, Buchholz had a disappointing 2008 season but the Red Sox management likes their young pitchers. The Sox have a tough decision on their hands.