Heyman: BoSox, Varitek agree on contract
by Adam J. Morris on Jan 30, 2009 1:14 PM CST
80 comments
Jon Heyman reports that the Red Sox have agreed to a two year contract with Scott Boras client Jason Varitek.
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I guess
you can’t update your fanshot from 2 minutes ago? I hope this means either the catcher talks stop completely for now or they accelerate immediately. I suspect the former.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
by t ball on Jan 30, 2009 1:15 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
My head is broken
Theo seems as sentimental as a scientific calculator.
He’ll get another catcher because he knows his captain is a question mark. Might put it off til midseason, but I can’t imagine that’s in deference to George Kotteras and Josh Bard. They have to know exactly the quantity Kotteras represents just from his minors tenure, and Bard’s a backup.
Torturous soap opera though, grief.
Go Strangers.
by hightowersmith on Jan 30, 2009 1:26 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
fwiw
Massarotti adds that the Red Sox are expected to reopen trade talks for Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Miguel Montero, independent of Varitek.
"My mother always taught me that if the only thing you have to say is,
‘(Expletive) Dave Samson,’ then don’t say anything at all.
So I’m not going to say anything at all.
Is my mother the greatest or what?"
- Mariners GM Bill Bavasi, after signing Ichiro to a $90 million contract
by tyd3311 on Jan 30, 2009 1:34 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
To beat a dead horse...
Heyman is the first to break this news? Shocking!
JD: Adamant about 78 wins in 2009. Go Rangers!
by rooster on Jan 30, 2009 1:17 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Here's your dead horse
Is it Spring Training Yet?
by Smoak Some on Jan 30, 2009 6:03 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Earlier in the week I thought it was 99.99% guaranteed he would sign
But yeah in the past few days as time ticked down and the sitting out rumor came up I thought perhaps not.
Anyway, everything points to that they will still try to acquire a catcher.
- Supposeldy the offer with varitek has no at bat incentives so that francona won’t feel like he needs to play him over a possible young catcher
- Theo said they will still try, and i guess thats all the needed evidence.
But having tek back at least gets them out of the corner where they have to get something done immediately, they could wait until mid season or even the offseason if they need to.. or hope an internal option looks really good next year.
the preceding post was a great success.
by DSheppard on Jan 30, 2009 1:18 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
It was a sure thing
Varitek had to eventually agree to whatever Boston was really offering. I’m sure Boras and Heyman would like to spin it as something else, but Varitek was pretty much at the whims of Theo.
by JBImaknee on Jan 30, 2009 1:21 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Yep. The minute he avoided arbitration, he had no leverage.
Did anyone really believe Varitek would have improved his FA standing by sitting out a year? He would be one year older. That’s not good for a catcher. Boston wouldn’t miss his bat, as he’s projected to be nothing more than replacement level, if that. Why would anyone care that he sits out a year.
Boston still needs to add a catcher that Varitek can mentor, but they can also choose to wait on that, since he signed a two-year deal. I don’t see that this changes much of anything on the potential for a trade with Boston. It buys them another half season or so to see if another young catcher emerges at a lower cost.
JD: Adamant about 78 wins in 2009. Go Rangers!
by rooster on Jan 30, 2009 1:26 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Damnit this sucks
I think this definitely hurts the chances of a Salty/Buchholz move.
FOR MANLY LOVE BE HERE MARCH 25TH AT 2:15 AM SHARP
by Agreen07 on Jan 30, 2009 1:22 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I think
it might delay a move, but a move still needs to happen for them at some point in the not-too-distant future.
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by t ball on Jan 30, 2009 1:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I truly believe Salty's trade value is going to change significantly based on how he starts the season
if he plays poorly in the couple of months, Boston most likely won’t trade Buchholz. Is Buchholz starting this season in AAA?
FOR MANLY LOVE BE HERE MARCH 25TH AT 2:15 AM SHARP
by Agreen07 on Jan 30, 2009 1:31 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I would think so
Beckett, Matsuzaka, Lester, Wakefield and Penny, with Smoltz recovering. Seems like they’d let Buchholz start out in AAA and call him up as needed. Our best hope: Varitek hits .180 in ST or tweaks a hammy while Salty hits .500 and draws raves about improved defense, and Buchholz pisses someone in the front office off real bad.
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by t ball on Jan 30, 2009 1:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Salty for Buchholtz
It ain’t gonna happen. Never was gonna happen. We just need to accept it and move on.
"Was this really necsarry?" - cowpoke/hurler hurley
by trza on Jan 30, 2009 1:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
We have 3 catchers with high value at the moment
something needs to be done.
FOR MANLY LOVE BE HERE MARCH 25TH AT 2:15 AM SHARP
by Agreen07 on Jan 30, 2009 1:56 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
obviously
But Theo is not going to give up Buchholz for Salty.
"Was this really necsarry?" - cowpoke/hurler hurley
by trza on Jan 30, 2009 1:57 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I know
I’m just curious if anyone has any other ideas.
FOR MANLY LOVE BE HERE MARCH 25TH AT 2:15 AM SHARP
by Agreen07 on Jan 30, 2009 1:58 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
It's just bad timing
There aren’t enough teams who want a good young catcher and have the resources to pay for one.
It’s really either Boston or NYY. I don’t see any other teams stepping forward.
by cstorm15 on Jan 30, 2009 2:20 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Boston or NYY
Works for me.
Might take awhile, though…Posada’s health probably won’t be apparent until well into Spring Training.
Go Strangers.
by hightowersmith on Jan 30, 2009 2:32 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
something doesnt HAVE to be done, i’d rather they keep all 3 than trade 1 for a lesser value.
"I'm against picketing, but I don't know how to show it." - Mitch Hedberg
by rentz on Jan 30, 2009 2:00 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
You said it
They can deal one later, there’s no rush. If value is offered deal, if not, let them play and develop.
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by t ball on Jan 30, 2009 11:41 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Need is too strong a word...
If the BoSox can find a way to keep all those starters, some in Boston and some in AAA, we can find a way to keep and develop 3 catchers between Arlington and OKC.
by bking on Jan 30, 2009 2:16 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
how about this...
Our ML rotation and bullpen look incredibly shitty and we NEED to improve them by shifting some assets from areas of surplus.
"drawing walks is an overrated trait in my eyes."
"i do believe we could have 4 30 start pitchers in the rotation."
-- both these genius remarks brought to you by our resident guru, bigsteve
by tricer on Jan 30, 2009 2:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
bingo
"My mother always taught me that if the only thing you have to say is,
‘(Expletive) Dave Samson,’ then don’t say anything at all.
So I’m not going to say anything at all.
Is my mother the greatest or what?"
- Mariners GM Bill Bavasi, after signing Ichiro to a $90 million contract
by tyd3311 on Jan 30, 2009 2:21 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Exactly what i was going for
FOR MANLY LOVE BE HERE MARCH 25TH AT 2:15 AM SHARP
by Agreen07 on Jan 30, 2009 2:50 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
and if we can't get an arm that helps us...
should we just settle for any old arm because we HAVE to do something??
by bking on Jan 30, 2009 2:57 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
not just any old arm
but don’t hold out all three catchers waiting for someone to deal a young ace either.
Bowden is ranked as a top 30 prospect in all of baseball (Sickels has him ranked ahead of Holland), somebody of that ilk should be a fine value for Salty, especially if Boston, as rumored, has offered a quality relief prospect to go along with him.
"drawing walks is an overrated trait in my eyes."
"i do believe we could have 4 30 start pitchers in the rotation."
-- both these genius remarks brought to you by our resident guru, bigsteve
by tricer on Jan 30, 2009 3:20 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Echo
I wonder how we should feel if four years from now Bowden is an established starter and Buch flames out?
"He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts... for support rather than illumination." - Andrew Lang (1844-1912)
by Ed Coffin on Jan 30, 2009 4:26 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Crazy talk
You make it sound like prospects sometimes flame out.
Go Strangers.
by hightowersmith on Jan 30, 2009 4:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Buchholz has a big chance
to flame out.
He needs to show more in the upper levels, but sure I would trade Salty for him.
Another one bites the dust! And another one, and another one, and another one bites the dust!
by NothinG on Jan 30, 2009 5:52 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
We?
Some of us will be indifferent and just file it away under the “some make it, some don’t” category. Others will insist that JD should have seen that such events would occur and only an idiot would have thought Buch had the high ceiling while Bowden was a middle-of-the-rotation guy at best. Those in this second category will typically exhibit brown eyes (which happens when one becomes too full of shit).
by Athos on Jan 30, 2009 4:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
x
Bowden is ranked as a top 30 prospect in all of baseball (Sickels has him ranked ahead of Holland),
I don’t think the consensus has him that high.
In fact, Sickels is probably the only person of note who has him that high.
by Adam J. Morris on Jan 30, 2009 9:05 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Well BP has him as a 5 star prospect
"My mother always taught me that if the only thing you have to say is,
‘(Expletive) Dave Samson,’ then don’t say anything at all.
So I’m not going to say anything at all.
Is my mother the greatest or what?"
- Mariners GM Bill Bavasi, after signing Ichiro to a $90 million contract
by tyd3311 on Jan 30, 2009 9:24 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I don't think Goldstein...
…will have Bowden in his top 30.
by Adam J. Morris on Jan 31, 2009 10:40 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Top 40 though, likely
through 18 teams, he has 23 Five-Star Prospects… assuming that pace doesn’t change much, he will end up with roughly 40 Five-Stars.
"My mother always taught me that if the only thing you have to say is,
‘(Expletive) Dave Samson,’ then don’t say anything at all.
So I’m not going to say anything at all.
Is my mother the greatest or what?"
- Mariners GM Bill Bavasi, after signing Ichiro to a $90 million contract
by tyd3311 on Jan 31, 2009 11:29 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I think Bowden’s prospect status has a lot to do with his perceived likelihood of reaching his ceiling. While his ceiling is lower than probably most top prospects, I think most prospect specialists think he stands a much better than normal chance to reach it.
"I'd like to f*ck Sandra Bullock." - Pedro Martinez, explaining his secret ambition to Sports Illustrated for Kids.
by OCD SS on Jan 31, 2009 11:52 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
True
However, since our target year is 2010, we don’t NEED to trade a catcher now, either.
It would certainly be helpful, but we don’t have a need to shift resources yet.
And as others have pointed out, if our catchers do well, their value could well improve, maybe even to the point where a catcher for Buchholz trade makes sense for both teams.
Of course, if we ARE holding out Teagarden for Buchholz + Bowden as some Red Sox fans seem to think rather than Teagarden for Buchholz, I’d love to give JD a rap on the head for trying to play hardball too much.
R
by Requiem on Jan 30, 2009 4:31 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
nitpicking
We have 3 catchers with high good value at the moment None of the three have really proven anything at the ML level. If Saltalamacchia had already proven himself to be a ML catche rTheo woul dhave no problem trading Buchholz for him.
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
by RangerMad on Jan 30, 2009 2:30 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
OT random stat
The rays got 153 starts out of the rotation they went into the season with.
I wonder how many the rangers got.
the preceding post was a great success.
by DSheppard on Jan 30, 2009 1:23 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I would guess 105-115. How about 114.
JD: Adamant about 78 wins in 2009. Go Rangers!
by rooster on Jan 30, 2009 1:26 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Well
the first 5 guys to start a game in 2008 were:
Millwood = 29
Padilla = 29
Jennings = 6
Gabbard = 12
Mendoza = 11
A grand total of 87,
FOR MANLY LOVE BE HERE MARCH 25TH AT 2:15 AM SHARP
by Agreen07 on Jan 30, 2009 1:30 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Madrigal - 1
McCarthy – 5
AJ – 2
...Snoop Doggy-Dogg... Ya need to get yourself a jobby-job.
by oc on Jan 30, 2009 3:13 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Name Brandon McCarthy
Go Strangers.
by hightowersmith on Jan 30, 2009 3:19 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Ok.
I hereby name thee: Brandon McCarthy.
"...my balls are really like a veiny flesh color" blueballlefty on Jun 4, 2008 7:44 PM EDT
"you gonna lose your horse. seriously." FX2
Yes we can! November 04, 2008
by Rodney on Jan 30, 2009 3:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
lol
"My mother always taught me that if the only thing you have to say is,
‘(Expletive) Dave Samson,’ then don’t say anything at all.
So I’m not going to say anything at all.
Is my mother the greatest or what?"
- Mariners GM Bill Bavasi, after signing Ichiro to a $90 million contract
by tyd3311 on Jan 30, 2009 3:31 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
x
I hereby name thee Brandon Patrick McCarthy.
That Gold Glove for Young was the worst thing that could have happened to Texas - now the guy really believes he's good at short. - Keith Law
by lonestarJon on Jan 30, 2009 3:43 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Where are you going with this?
...Snoop Doggy-Dogg... Ya need to get yourself a jobby-job.
by oc on Jan 30, 2009 3:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I hereby name you Oscar “in the” Corazon.
Go Strangers.
by hightowersmith on Jan 30, 2009 4:08 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Damn straight.
...Snoop Doggy-Dogg... Ya need to get yourself a jobby-job.
by oc on Jan 30, 2009 4:32 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Feldman-25
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
by bigsteve on Jan 30, 2009 3:19 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm an optimist, I guess.
JD: Adamant about 78 wins in 2009. Go Rangers!
by rooster on Jan 30, 2009 1:34 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Meant as a reply to Agreen07
JD: Adamant about 78 wins in 2009. Go Rangers!
by rooster on Jan 30, 2009 1:34 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Terms
“Varitek will earn $5MM in 2009, with the club holding a $5MM option for 2010. If the Red Sox do not pick up that option, Varitek has the choice of remaining with the club on a $3MM deal. In ’10, he can earn another $2MM in incentives based on playing time, beginning at 80 games started. Thus, the potential total value of the deal increases from $8-$10MM to $10-$12MM. The incentives apply to both the team and player options for 2010.”
So there are in fact playing time incentives.
the preceding post was a great success.
by DSheppard on Jan 30, 2009 1:34 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Mauer
How odd, this deal expires exactly when Mauer would become a FA.
by Excel Hearts Choi on Jan 30, 2009 1:35 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
As I've said before
I’m less interested in Mauer a couple of years from now (especially at the price he’s likely to garner) than I am right now. It just doesn’t seem like the best value move long term, and in the meantime you’re counting on Varitek?
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by t ball on Jan 30, 2009 1:38 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Honestly...
I am just so sick and tired of all the trade speculation between Texas and Boston, that I would be wiling to throw out some ideas to keep it from ever becoming another topic on this site. I wonder how many posts/comments have been wasted talking this.
As for Varitek, the Red Sox did just fine with him in the lineup last season. I’d be more worried about Ortiz’s injury.
by Excel Hearts Choi on Jan 30, 2009 1:43 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
It has been maddening
but be prepared for a few more months of it, because I expect this to drag on until July 31.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
by t ball on Jan 30, 2009 11:44 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Well it was either going to be a 1 year deal or 2 year deal
its not like they decided against a 7 year deal with tek because of mauer.
the preceding post was a great success.
by DSheppard on Jan 30, 2009 1:41 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe Texas can propose a three way
The Twins get Salty+, Sox get Mauer, and Texas gets Buccholz. Unfortunately, I don’t really see the Twins doing that. :(
Signature! I don't need no stinking signature!!
by DerekSTheRed on Jan 30, 2009 2:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
They ain't dealin' the hometown boy
until they are forced to.
"...my balls are really like a veiny flesh color" blueballlefty on Jun 4, 2008 7:44 PM EDT
"you gonna lose your horse. seriously." FX2
Yes we can! November 04, 2008
by Rodney on Jan 30, 2009 2:32 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I'll be extremely surprised if he ever leaves Minnesota.
"My mother always taught me that if the only thing you have to say is,
‘(Expletive) Dave Samson,’ then don’t say anything at all.
So I’m not going to say anything at all.
Is my mother the greatest or what?"
- Mariners GM Bill Bavasi, after signing Ichiro to a $90 million contract
by tyd3311 on Jan 30, 2009 2:35 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I would even go so far as to say that I would be surprised if Mauer did not give the Twins a hometown discount.
I think he’ll stay even if they can’t afford his FA market value.
JD: Adamant about 78 wins in 2009. Go Rangers!
by rooster on Jan 30, 2009 2:43 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Boston seems to think he'll leave
or at least they are keeping their options open by hanging on to Varitek until Mauer is up for free agency. If the Twins buy out some of his free agency years, Boston loses some leverage I think.
Signature! I don't need no stinking signature!!
by DerekSTheRed on Jan 30, 2009 2:44 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Nice job, Scott Boras
You only cost your client $5 mill or so by refusing arbitration
I wonder if agents can be sued for malpractice or whatever. I am one of these people that believes there are way too many lawyers but do feel we ought to have 12 or 13 around the country just for stuff like this
by BEW on Jan 30, 2009 2:48 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
So if a player accepts less to stay with a team
should the agent be able to successfully sue the player for not taking the highest paying job offer?
FOR MANLY LOVE BE HERE MARCH 25TH AT 2:15 AM SHARP
by Agreen07 on Jan 30, 2009 2:52 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
logic error
agents are not paid on a fixed fee basis. they assume the risk of not getting the greatest possible fee if their client doesnt take the largest monetary offer by agreeing to a sliding percentage pay scale per deal.
Boras failed his client. that much is indisputable. the agent is contracted by the player to provide opportunities. specifically to provide a variety of options for the player at the greatest value for each of those available options. Boras gave bad advice to his client and decreased the ceiling of his possible value. instead of making 10M this year, he can make no more than 5M.
there is no converse relationship between agent and player, as you try to assume. player and agent are not equals, and thus are not required to be equal beneficiaries as the ends of their relationship. The agent assumes all risk in his financial outcome from a deal because that is the nature of the business.
by 6th street on Jan 30, 2009 5:10 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Whoopee.
That Gold Glove for Young was the worst thing that could have happened to Texas - now the guy really believes he's good at short. - Keith Law
by lonestarJon on Jan 30, 2009 3:01 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
The blink heard round the world.
Way to stick to your guns, Tek. You showed Theo a thing or two.
by Athos on Jan 30, 2009 3:41 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Eh.
"I'd like to f*ck Sandra Bullock." - Pedro Martinez, explaining his secret ambition to Sports Illustrated for Kids.
by OCD SS on Jan 30, 2009 7:24 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Don't worry. We'll be revisiting this issue in July.
...Snoop Doggy-Dogg... Ya need to get yourself a jobby-job.
by oc on Jan 30, 2009 8:14 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
How bad will Varitek will be?
"My mother always taught me that if the only thing you have to say is,
‘(Expletive) Dave Samson,’ then don’t say anything at all.
So I’m not going to say anything at all.
Is my mother the greatest or what?"
- Mariners GM Bill Bavasi, after signing Ichiro to a $90 million contract
by tyd3311 on Jan 30, 2009 8:20 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
He'll be bad enough that the Red Sox will be revisiting this issue in July.
...Snoop Doggy-Dogg... Ya need to get yourself a jobby-job.
by oc on Jan 30, 2009 8:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Or sooner.
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates
by slc ranger on Jan 30, 2009 8:41 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
This is not the same AL East it was three months ago.
...Snoop Doggy-Dogg... Ya need to get yourself a jobby-job.
by oc on Jan 30, 2009 8:45 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I’m going to be kind of pissed if they aren’t working on that issue right now. It’s not like they haven’t had 4 years to work on it…
"I'd like to f*ck Sandra Bullock." - Pedro Martinez, explaining his secret ambition to Sports Illustrated for Kids.
by OCD SS on Jan 30, 2009 10:49 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Do you think
they were hoping (I mean in the last 2 years) that one of their own would develop better? I think if they felt Salty was really going to bust out this year they would have already made a deal.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
by t ball on Jan 30, 2009 11:46 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I doubt it.
Catchers take so long to develop and the Sox do seem reluctant to let prospects take over without a caddy. I think they’ve been trying to add a C in other trades, but just haven’t got a deal worked out.
"I'd like to f*ck Sandra Bullock." - Pedro Martinez, explaining his secret ambition to Sports Illustrated for Kids.
by OCD SS on Jan 31, 2009 11:40 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
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