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Is Varitek still in Red Sox plans?

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The acquisition of Josh Bard in no way should be regarded as an outright dismissal of Jason Varitek, whose agent, Scott Boras, continues to exchange ideas with the Red Sox. At the moment, at least, Bard should be seen as nothing more than an understudy, which is precisely the situation the Sox had hoped for when they acquired him the first time in the Coco Crisp deal with the Indians in January 2006. The Red Sox liked Bard then and they like him now, and they believed he eventually would have been able to handle Tim Wakefield. This time, however, there is the great likelihood that Bard will catch Wakefield and at least one other pitcher as the Red Sox finally make the inevitable transition from one catcher to another. Does that rule out Jarrod Saltalamacchia or another deal of the like? Of course not, especially when the Sox have made it quite clear (to Florida, at least) that they would indeed part with Clay Buchholz. But despite what Theo Epstein said at the winter meetings, it seems unlikely that the Sox could go with two young, inexperienced catchers when they also have youth (or inconsistency) in center field and at shortstop, not to mention injury/durability issues in right field -- J.D. Drew played 109 games last year -- and third base.

Boston Globe

Jason Varitek, Jim Rogash/Getty Images Jason Varitek, Jim Rogash/Getty Images

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December 31, 2008  07:27 AM ET
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i cant with till feb.

December 31, 2008  08:28 AM ET
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who else are they going to get... its not like they have a waiting line for catchers.... they can't even go back to Cash... he didn't want to be there either since he signed with the yankee's

December 31, 2008  09:08 AM ET
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QUOTE(#2):
Originally posted 08:28 AM ET  12.31 by NYY25to13

who else are they going to get... its not like they have a waiting line for catchers.... they can't even go back to Cash... he didn't want to be there either since he signed with the yankee's

he signed with the yankees cuz we didnt offer him a contract and cuthim loose

December 31, 2008  09:29 AM ET
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This by no means closes the door on Varitek
It simply shows him & his agent that then have to be
reasonable about next years deal.

After UNDERPERFORMING for the value of his last contract-
there is no way the sox are going ot be giving him a multi-year
deal for any substantial $$.

December 31, 2008  09:35 AM ET
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Never saw so much press over a guy who hit 220 signing or not signing with a team.

December 31, 2008  10:16 AM ET
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QUOTE(#4):
Originally posted 09:29 AM ET  12.31 by jgb

This by no means closes the door on Varitek It simply shows him & his agent that then have to be reasonable about next years deal.After UNDERPERFORMING for the value of his last contract- there is no way the sox are going ot be giving him a multi-yeardeal for any substantial $$.

he should have excepted arbitration. I just can't see any other teams giving up draft picks for him. His only value is with the Red Sox. He would have been a good fit for Detroit but they said the draft picks scared them away

December 31, 2008  10:16 AM ET
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QUOTE(#5):
Originally posted 09:35 AM ET  12.31 by bCColtrinari

Never saw so much press over a guy who hit 220 signing or not signing with a team.

its a slow news day

December 31, 2008  10:17 AM ET
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Has to be in their plans.

December 31, 2008  10:41 AM ET
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QUOTE(#6):
Originally posted 10:16 AM ET  12.31 by safe@home

His only value is with the Red Sox.

Mostly agree-
he has some value- as a back-up catcher-
but his MOST value is to the sox- where he has a history

- so he certainly could get a 2-3 mil deal from a # of teams....
he just wants a multi-year, mega-bucks deal- which he won't
get elsewhere

December 31, 2008  10:53 AM ET
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He should've accepted arbitration. That was a big mistake on his part. Now VTek may not even have a job next year if the Red Sox don't bring him back. What team is going to give up a 1st round draft pick for a 37-yr catcher who hit .220 last year??

December 31, 2008  10:58 AM ET
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DeadSox will end up with IRod or try and trade for Bengie Molina. Tek ain't coming back. Both he and Manny, should sue Borass for malfeasance. He's cost them both big bucks.

December 31, 2008  11:24 AM ET
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May all your pissworthy dreams come true in the new year.

I'm out for lox and Cheetos.

AGLM

December 31, 2008  11:30 AM ET
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Come on Sox... there has to be another Molina brother out there somewhere.

December 31, 2008  11:34 AM ET
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Red Sox... learn a lesson from the Yankees and Jorge Posada. Do not re-sign Tek. Trade Clay for Salty

Comment #15 has been removed
December 31, 2008  12:36 PM ET
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Mets offered Lowe 3 years $36 mill. Far from the 5 years $90 he wanted.

December 31, 2008  12:38 PM ET
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I really don't see the Rangers parting with Saltalawhathaveya after sending Laird to Detroit. Wishful thinking Boston.

December 31, 2008  02:02 PM ET
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QUOTE(#5):
Originally posted 09:35 AM ET  12.31 by bCColtrinari

Never saw so much press over a guy who hit 220 signing or not signing with a team.

you got that right...its unbelievable!! he wont contribute on the field just go ahead and make him some kinda BS coach and be done with it....problem solved.

December 31, 2008  03:19 PM ET
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QUOTE(#9):
Originally posted 10:41 AM ET  12.31 by jgb

Mostly agree- he has some value- as a back-up catcher- but his MOST value is to the sox- where he has a history- so he certainly could get a 2-3 mil deal from a # of teams....he just wants a multi-year, mega-bucks deal- which he won'tget elsewhere

I don't see anyone giving up the draft picks for a back up.

 
December 31, 2008  03:23 PM ET
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QUOTE(#16):
Originally posted 12:36 PM ET  12.31 by Yankee27

Mets offered Lowe 3 years $36 mill. Far from the 5 years $90 he wanted.

and that actually sounds more realistic. He was looking for 16 or 17 like Pettit got but that didn't exactly work out either for the Yankees, but Pettit was only worth that to the Yankees at that point of his carrer. Lowe is a good innings eater and has put up decent numbers but are decent number worth 16-17 mil and he's not getting any younger and needs a good defense behind him

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