Greed is god
You probably won't believe me by the time you arrive at the final syllables of this piece, but it is the truth as I know it: There's little satisfaction to be found in criticizing Jason Varitek.
Through his 11 full seasons with the Red Sox, which coincide with the franchise’s modern Golden Age, there has been much to admire about the catcher and captain. He occupies a meaningful place in Red Sox history, having caught four no-hitters and backstopped a pair of world champions. His smell-the-glove beatdown of Yankees narcissist Alex Rodriguez stands as a pivotal and defining event from the emancipating 2004 season. And it does not hurt that his persona and approach fall somewhere between stoic and heroic. With his scrub-brush haircut and impossibly square features, he’s an artist’s rendering of what a Red Sox catcher ought to look like, just as Carlton Fisk was a generation ago.
In many ways, he is our Derek Jeter, though the Yankees’ calm-eyed, fist-pumping captain is obviously superior in talent and production. They both have extremely recognizable profiles as central figures in baseball’s marquee rivalry. They both are greatly respected by their peers. They both loathe A-Rod. And one more commonality: When it became clear that the tangible measures were now suggesting that the player had significant flaws, they both had a well-stocked army of vocal and oblivious supporters who began clinging to the flimsy concept of “intangibles” as a vague means of denying the erosion of their idol’s talent. The emperor has no clothes — and in Jeter’s case, the emperor can’t go to his left, either.
And you can bet your bobblehead that punching holes in that particular argument carries a tremendous amount of satisfaction. For all of Varitek’s alleged intangibles — handling pitchers, hustling, grit, guts, toughness, chewing glass, spitting nails, squatting, scowling, etc. — recent events suggest he’s teetering on becoming one of the most vile subspecies of professional athletes: an aging, subpar performer who demands the salary and security of a prime-of-career star.
I would pay good money — though surely not as much as he’d demand — to read agent Scott Boras’ lengthy treatise on why Varitek, a free agent apparently on an outlandish quest for one last jackpot, is an “inherently valuable” player who deserves a lucrative multiyear deal after putting up an OPS of .672 at age 36. There just isn’t enough genuinely funny fiction these days.
I guarantee you there is more truth to be found in the following sentence than there is in Boras’ entire sales pitch: Varitek cannot competently hit major league pitching now, and he never will again. He hit .225 after the All-Star break in 2007. He hit .220 this season. Ancillary factors have become another easy excuse for Varitek’s 2008 decline. Please, spare me the Dr. Phil nonsense that Varitek’s personal problems somehow affected his performance this season. If anything, they would affect his mental preparation, not his ability to connect with a fastball traveling above 87 mph. I don’t doubt that Varitek knows opposing hitters better than many, if not all, catchers in the American League. Pitchers of great accomplishment and credibility, from Pedro Martinez to Curt Schilling to young Jon Lester, have said as much so often that there has to be some measure of truth in there. But his ability “to call a good game” has become such a tired mantra that it’s a wonder any young pitcher ever makes it to the big leagues without his guidance along the way.
Varitek deserves some ration of credit for Lester’s development into one of the premier left-handers in the game, and his rapport with other successful members of the Red Sox’ diverse pitching staff, from Josh Beckett to Jonathan Papelbon, reflects well on him. But let me throw some other names at you here, along with a word of warning: Prepare to cringe.
Scott Sauerbeck. Chad Bradford. Jeff Suppan. Byung-Hyun Kim. Ramiro Mendoza. Bobby Howry. Matt Clement. Wade Miller.
The point is the Red Sox had enough pitchers who failed miserably here in recent years to fill every staff in the Can-Am League. If Varitek is going to get heaps of praise for the successes, shouldn’t he accept some measure of fault for the failures? Funny how no one ever mentions he caught 13 of Clay Buchholz’s 15 starts this season.
If there is a trace of venom in this piece, it’s only because I’m galled by the brazenness of his current salary demands, though I probably should know better. The perception is that Varitek would play this doggone wonderful game for free, yet a cursory look at his history tells you that his bank account has usually been very high on his list of priorities, dating to when he refused to sign with the Minnesota Twins out of Georgia Tech. You cannot have the execrable and remarkably effective Boras as an agent and claim that you’re playing for the love of the game without being the very definition of duplicitous.
Still, I’m simply dumbfounded that they’d even suggest that the starting point is four years and $52 million, at least not without a laugh track. It’s those ridiculous salary demands — coupled with the I’m-a-team-guy-so-I’m-not-going-to-complain-even-though-I’m-complaining incredulity he showed when Terry Francona had the nerve to pinch hit for him in the postseason — that has me convinced of this: No one believes in the value of Jason Varitek’s intangibles more than Jason Varitek.
Then again, that’s all he has left. His bat speed is gone for good, and so are most of the primary skills that made him such a valuable part of so many outstanding Sox teams.
It’s okay to admit it. It happens to all of them. Yes, Virginia, even to stoic and heroic captains who run out every predictable 4-6-3 grounder, all the way to the bank.
OT columnist Chad Finn is a sports reporter for Boston.com and can be reached at finn@globe.com
He should get a one year deal, maybe two, for not a lot of money - respectable, but not outrageous. And then he should get out before it becomes embarassing and coach. Boras won't do it though, so Sox fans will need to come to grips with the fact that Varitek is going to go somewhere else. Unless he has enough sense to negotiate his own deal a la A-Rod and cut out Boras.
Bang.
Release the hounds . . .
Great piece Chad. As much as I love 'Tek and all that he's contributed to the Sox over the years, I think it is time for a new era of catcher behind the plate. It is clear that everyone overrates the "intangibles." Besides, Varitek may have called all of those games, but I think the pitchers were a bit more integral in the successes they achieved on the mound. And the fact that Boras is actually using Posada's contract as the benchmark for Varitek is completely ludacris. Since when is a .672 OPS worth $52 mil over 4 years!!
Does it always have to be so black and white? I've watched Varitek enough and heard him speak enough to know that he is the ultimate team player. If he's a fraud, as this column practically states, then it would truly be a major surprise and disappointment to me. But, really, this guy is supposed to take a lot less money than he could get elsewhere to stay in Boston? If he can get 4 years and $52 million on the market, he's supposed to take 2 years and $16 million to stay in Boston? If other teams are willing to accept the "intangibles" this writer scathes as fact and the Sox won't, Varitek would be stupid not to go collect an extra $36 million at the tail end of his career. Would absolutely hate to see this guy in another uniform and I applaud the Sox for realizing that of the group of free agents after '04, that Varitek was the key guy to keep. One moe thing, Varitek was hitting .220 or so at the All Star break, yet his peers voted him onto the All Star team. When you invest $80 million a pitching staff, carrying a .225 average at the catcher spot doesn't see like too much a price to pay if it makes those pitchers better.
Chad, to answer your question there is a trace of venom in this piece and without knowing all of the facts. I am not ready to arrive at the conclussions you've suggested in this article. I am sure that Varitek and for that matter all of us will seek to earn as much as our employers will pay us. Is that greed or predence?
I do agree that Varitek's stats don't warrent an increase and coupled with his age. I wouldn't offer him a long term deal either. Epstien's pretty shrewed and has shown that he can separate loyalities and realities. I would like to see Jason finish his career with the Red Sox and I am sure that in order for that to happen. Jason and Boras both are going to have to really look at the pros and cons of the upcoming negociations.
Not to be nit-picky (OK, I'm being nit-picky), but weren't Clement and Miller pretty much derailed by injuries?
Funny how to this very day Clement still gets derided as some kind of weakling even though his doctor said the pain must have been so extreme it was almost a miracle that he was able to pitch at all.
He won't get crazy money. Who will give it to him? No GM in baseball is that dumb.
As an alternative, taking a chance on a rookie catcher wouldn't be much of a gamble. Even backup catchers throughout MLB can hit .210 to .220.
If there were an amazing defensive quality to Tek, that would be something. But the numbers don't lie. He is average at best BEHIND the plate and far below average STANDING at it. That means very little money beyond a sympathetic gesture from the Boston FO.
Sympathy isn't going to bring that much.
Guaranteed money will MAX at $16M over two years.
More realistically it will end up something like $10M guaranteed with incentives that could push it to just over $20M. Make him EARN the money if he wants back.
Captain Oh Captain... What are we without you?
Captain Oh Captain... What are we without you?
Anything more than veteran minimum with incentives is grand theft. Spot on with the failed pitchers - that's my arguement when the "He calls a great game" matra starts.
damm....did any one see the plate number of the bus that Chad just ran over varitek with? great column chad. I couldn't have expressed myself any better.
I still say give varitek a 2 year (or a 1 year plus an option), $7.5 million contract with a ton of incentives and pick up a young texas catcher in Teagarden or Saltamacchia to groom.
We watched Bellhorn reduced to waving at fastballs from the left side. Then I watched him do the same at Pawtucket. You knew there was no way he was going to even foul a pitch, and he didn't. Varitek is there, and it doesn't go away.
I agree he is not the signal caller of the legend he has created for himself. And what are the names again of those geniuses behind the plate in Tampa and Phillie?
The Sox should inform Tek he's just out of their league.
chad said:
"His smell-the-glove beatdown of Yankees narcissist Alex Rodriguez stands as a pivotal and defining event from the emancipating 2004 season."
Hey, I love that moment where he shoved his glove in A-Rod's face as much as the next guy, but did Varitek "beatdown" A-Rod? I don't remember A-Rod ever getting tackled to the ground or punched (I recall a bit of wrestling between the two). In addition, it was Varitek who was out of the lineup the next day with injuries.
chad said:
"His smell-the-glove beatdown of Yankees narcissist Alex Rodriguez stands as a pivotal and defining event from the emancipating 2004 season."
Hey, I love that moment where he shoved his glove in A-Rod's face as much as the next guy, but did Varitek "beatdown" A-Rod? I don't remember A-Rod ever getting tackled to the ground or punched (I recall a bit of wrestling between the two). In addition, it was Varitek who was out of the lineup the next day with injuries.
If we sign him, Tito should give serious consideration to using his DH to hit hit for Varitek. I m sure at least some - if not most - Redsox pitchers can hit better than 'Tek.
It is hard for me to believe that Boras (I refuse to address him as Mr.) has the audacity to suggest the starting point for his client is 4 years/52 million. That is more than his last contract of 4 years/40 million. Who is the last batter you want to see come up with the tying run on third and two outs late in the game? Jason Varitek has meant so much to this franchise, but let's face it, his offensive skills have dimished so much over the last few years that I believe there is not one picture in the league that fears his coming to the plate in a critical situation. I say no more than 2 years at 15 million in a platoon role.
Too much credit is given to Varitek's game-calling skills. Longoria loves the high pitch, Carlos Pens loves the low pitch. Did 'Tek know that? The Phillies sure did, and pitched them accoringly. And won the WS.
Truth. Deal with it. Fortunately, there is reason to believe that Theo could have ghost written this post, meaning Tek plays part time for Theo's number, or languishes elsewhere. We appreciate you, Jason, but as someone who hires Scott Boras would know, this is a business. Buh bye.
big difference between Boras' negotiating tactics and what Varitek actually wants and will accept. If Boras came out and said we want a 1 or 2 year deal at fair money he should be fired as an agent. Remember last time Varitek was a FA...he wouldn't even talk to other teams until the window with the Sox had closed. I have never heard Varitek say anything along the lines of what you are criticizing him for. Your criticizing him for things that other writers say about him...nice when you guys can create your own little conversations among each other...good for job security isn't it...you hack!!!
I couldn't have said it better. Considering the dearth of quality catchers on the market I'm OK with the Sox slightly overpaying Varitek. But they would have to be insane to offer him any more than 2 years and I do not believe that they are. It's unfortunate that several of the Sox' recent stars have gotten edged out of town because of salary conflicts. I guess that's the price to pay in order to have a team that is a consistent championship contender.
I have been thinking that for the past 2 years. Tek WAS great. Now he is another mediocre catcher trying to score a huge payday in a thin market of experienced catchers.
I would like to see him around as a player coach, but would cringe with EVERY at bat.
As much as Jason has done for this franchise with his prior '08 performances, he has washed it all away by acting like an idiot teenager in his personal life while all of our worshiping kids watch and simultaneously performs like a man 10-years older than what he actually is. DUMP HIM! You usually deserve what you get and he deserves nothing more from the Sox......
the article is right on...i couldn't have stated the facts any better....
Totally agree with everything said, so the big question is....if Theo knew this was coming, why did he leave it until now to have to find Tek's replacement ( and possibly a second full season catcher)?
We had the best of Tek but we will have to succeed without him from now on.
You're right on with your interpretation of Varitek's attitude and probably his playing skills, but the salary part is business and he can ask for anything he wants to. Before we label Varitek "vile", lets see how the negotiation proceeds, if he signs with the Red Sox, and if he doesn't sign if he goes public with his bitterness.
Sorry, but you couldn't be more wrong. If the Boston Globe pays you $x, and other similar companies will be willing to bear higher amounts $y and $z, then you would certainly be foolish for not exploring those opportunities. What would your reasoning be, exactly? "I am too old, and not able to write better articles than the younger staff. Therefore, I will take the $x that the Globe has offered me for fear that I may be seen as greedy or embarrassing".
So naive, so judgmental.
Varitek has always been one of my favorites. I gave my son the picture of his clash with A-Rod for his 13th birthday as a sign of looming manhood (one guy in the picture has no idea what is to be a man, the other does).
But I can't argue with anything in this column. His asking price is so far a field that Varitek should be embarrased by it. If he was worth $10 m a year four years ago, how can he now be worth more?
The only way Tek should be back is if he 1) signs for 2 -3 years at less than $10 M a year, and 2) agrees to reduced playing time in the hopes of staying fresher longer AND 3) agreeing to mentor his eventual replacement. To do this, he may even have to agree to catch Wakefield, as by the 2nd or 3rd year he'll have transititioned to the Mirabelli role.
This would be a scenario for both the team and the captain. Short of this, it's time to say good-bye.
Another journalist calling for the public ousting of a great Red Sox player, shooting down another hero. Chad leaves us hanging, claiming to know everything about his motives and potential for returning to form. Excuse me, what is the purpose of the agent? To blame Varitek or any other baseball player for the slimy doings of their agents is misguided. It is not Jason doing the talking. Shoot the messenger.
good stuff..u can tell he spent some time on this..making sure he picked the right words to use and what not..but the truth is varitek has one swing motion..whether its a curveball in the dirt..or a 92 mph fastball away and a tad up...its the same swing..and it has wayyy too many holes...everyone loves JV...but its time to start calling pitches from the bench...
good stuff..u can tell he spent some time on this..making sure he picked the right words to use and what not..but the truth is varitek has one swing motion..whether its a curveball in the dirt..or a 92 mph fastball away and a tad up...its the same swing..and it has wayyy too many holes...everyone loves JV...but its time to start calling pitches from the bench...
Is there an older saying than, "the truth hurts?"
Of course, all Red Sox fans admire what Varitek has done for the team through the years, but the party between him and the Red Sox should be over.
But is it?
I think the most interesting thing Theo has to do this off season is to figure out what to do about this Varitek situation. He reportedly has a "good relationship" with Scott Boras, but is such the product of anything other than a desire on Theo's part to keep on good terms with the guy who controls so much prime baseball talent these days? From my vantage point, a new contract for Varitek that is anything other than short and incentive laden is a sign of capitulation to Boras.
Stay tuned . . . .
days
Straight on dude....right in the center of the bulls-eye. When most folks are just hoping to keep their job, and many aren't...sheesh.
He won't go elsewhere. No one will offer 4 years @ 52 million. No one!
I couldn't have said it any better. I saw this coming 3 years ago!!!!!!
Spot on. I'd like to see the Sox trade for a young, MLB-ready catcher and offer Tek the chance to mentor and play part-time. Two years, $8M per. Maybe I'd go as high as $10M/yr. Who out there is going to pay more than that?
Give him a 2 year deal for the same amount he's been making and see what happens. If he doesn't take it then we move on.
You can't blame these guys for trying to get the best deal they can. Nor can you blame the Red Sox for paying a player what they think he is worth. (JD Drew's contract notwithstanding.) Tek leaves it on the field and you can't ask for more out of a guy than that. The question is whether what he has to leave on the field is adequate to the team needs. And at what price. And what do they do if Tek moves on.
Would be nice to see him a year or two at reasonable dough to help along the "new" guy, whoever that is, but I cringe seeing him swing at that low outside pitch or hitting into a double play, which was all too frequent last season.
Goodbye Jason it was fun while it lasted.
Who is the last player you want to see come to the plate late in the game with the tying run on third and two outs? Jason Varitek!! AL pictures don't fear him coming up with the game on the line. Jason has been great for this franchise, but his offensive skills have diminshed beyond the request of 10 million a year. I say 2 years at $15 million so he can be used to develop his replacement. Boras (not Mr.) is more concerned about his share rather than the realistic value of the player which leads to his client (ex. a-rod) having to step in because no team will meet his ridiculous demands..
The proceeding column was anonomously sponsored by Red Sox management....
I couldn't agree more with Mr. Finn's assessment of Varitek. Tek should retire now instead of embarassing himself at the plate for the rest of his career. His performance at the plate during the ALCS and especially in game 7, proved that his batting skills are not what they were and with a high degree of probability never will be again. He has served the Red Sox well during his tenure and he has also been paid very well in return. It is time to say 'thank you' and have a good retirement.
Jason, It's been great watching you play all these years. Good luck to you, and come back when you're ready to coach.
Awesome. Well done.
I love the argument I've heard from Boras about the Red Sox winning percentage with Varitek catching...I'm sure it has nothing to do with the quality of pitchers he catches versus the .500 pitcher who goes on his off day. Love Varitek, would like to see him in a Sox uniform for another year or two in a more limited role and at a reasonable salary but that's just not going to happen with Boras running the show. And I agree with the article - Boras wouldn't have Tek as his client if not for want on Tek's part.
It's call NEGOTIATING...jeez.
This is the dumbest criticism of Varitek I have ever read.
When you reference Varitek catching 13 of 15 from Buchholtz and guys like a Matt Clement; and Tek should take the blame for their miserable outtings??; I want someone to explain to me how; as he works with these failures; and he calls for pitches on the corners....and these inepts leave a hanging breaking ball over the middle of the plate.... how is that Tek's "fault" that the pitchers can't hit their spots (called by Tek) and lack control.
This article is obviosuly written by someone who was never a catcher; and will "NEVER" understand what it takes to be one.
....And yes, I caught in the professional level (Baltimore Orioles System) so I do know what I am talking about.
Resign Tek and end this miserable article's nonsense. Tek does it better than anyone in the Game.... His offense lacks but he is beyond reproach. Hacks like Chad Finn can sit back and criticize -- but there is a significant reason why "Tek's" peers voted him into the All-Star Game hitting .218 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It's because they know; he's the best behind the dish !!
Varitek rarely caught Tim Wakefield, and Tim is now the winningest active Sox Pitcher. At $52M, we can live without him.
Hire him as a coach when he discovers reality again.
Varietk? He's no Jim Pagliaroni.
I still like Varitek and still think he is someone we need to resign. You all seem to froget how invaluable he is to our pitching staff. I myself think the deal should be something like 2 years and $8 million anything under $7 mill insulting and what he makes now or more is very generous based on his stats. And let's not forget that his numbers haven't always been that high becaus he does not focus on hitting or padding his stats is focus is team 1st and what he contributes to pitching. Imagine that, an unselfish baseball player, there MANY that could take a lesson from him.
Varitek does one thing well. STRIKEOUT! His K's have increased to 28% over the last 2 seasons. He only hit .201 from the left side. POOR as it comes. HIS TIME HAS COME AND GONE. LET HIM WALK! Totally agree with your article. He is a backup catcher at best. Calling a game is so overrated.
We, as Red Sox fans, have been spoiled over the last few years by having a catcher that was an offensive threat. Now that 'Tek has dropped down to an average catcher, everyone wants to ship him out of town. I hate seeing 'Tek come up in big spots as much as anyone, but there are no better options out there. The Sox will need to re-sign 'Tek for 2 years or so, and try to find a young catcher to groom.
S Smith: Now I've read the second dumbest criticism to Chad Finns.
Thanks for Posting # 51
OMG !!
he should go to the Yankees! They have a long history of overpaying aging superstars... Randy Johnson comes to mind...
4 years 52 million? Meehhhhh I was thinking more like 2 years 12 million....
You're right MELin AZ, it's called negotiating, but when two parties start so far apart to begin with, there is no hope at finding a price everyone will be happy with. As much as I hate to admit it, Varitek is probably done in Boston. Bring on Saltalamacchia!
This blog post is so thin, so substanceless, it is embarrassing. Calling a free agent a "vile subspecies" is simply an abusive ad hominem attack.
Whenever anyone goes on the job market they always emphasize their best skills and seek as much compensation as possible. This is how a capitalist market works: we sell our labor (or our goods) for as much as we can. To evaluate Varitek's self-marketing strategies and salary demands as "outlandish" is simply wrongheaded.
Why not turn this critique to one aimed at the logic that governs the free agency system in baseball? What needs to be accompanied by a laugh track is the fact that MLB corporations *are willing* to pay their workers such exhorbitant sums of money: If Varitek's agent can find a franchise to soak for $52m over four years then that would be funny.
Laugh at the owners, not the workers.
Varitek's free agency bid is *simply* another example of the extreme excesses of the mass entertainment industry. It is entirely wrongheaded to evalute the process as if morals and morality play any role. They do not.
This blog post is so thin, so substanceless, it is embarrassing. Calling a free agent a "vile subspecies" is simply an abusive ad hominem attack.
Whenever anyone goes on the job market they always emphasize their best skills and seek as much compensation as possible. This is how a capitalist market works: we sell our labor (or our goods) for as much as we can. To evaluate Varitek's self-marketing strategies and salary demands as "outlandish" is simply wrongheaded.
Why not turn this critique to one aimed at the logic that governs the free agency system in baseball? What needs to be accompanied by a laugh track is the fact that MLB corporations *are willing* to pay their workers such exhorbitant sums of money: If Varitek's agent can find a franchise to soak for $52m over four years then that would be funny.
Laugh at the owners, not the workers.
Varitek's free agency bid is *simply* another example of the extreme excesses of the mass entertainment industry. It is entirely wrongheaded to evalute the process as if morals and morality play any role. They do not.
you're underestimating varitek's value as a simulated hitter during simulated games for rehabbing pitchers.
no one has refined the art of being a simulated hitter quite like 'tek.
we do have an option here.Keep him,give him his want and let Ortiz DH for him.And you know the rest,the pitcher hits away......There is one thing going on here,for sure.Boorass, (did I mispell that) I'm sure,somehow reads these little inputs.So,hopefully,these articles will reduce Variteks' price.....I really like Jason.I wear his 2005 opening day shirt.It has a real nice gold mesh surrounding the "C" for apparant (CAPTAIN) around it and ALSO his #30, not to mention the BLESSED RED SOX that covet him so much.But how much can the greatest Organization in all baseball take...Oh,by the way,the shirt cost me $200....but it comes with a hat !!
This is what it boils down to. Someone puts $12 million down on a table you are sitting at. The person tells you you can have the money if you play somewhere else. If you want to stay in Boston, you have to get up and walk away and leave the money. What do you do Chad? Is that greed?
And what is up with that idiotic "C" thing on the jersey? Like a little kid in grade school or a soccer player. My son and his friends laugh themselves sick whenever he bats.
"Tek does it better than anyone in the Game." I would like to know what "it" is. If "it" is calling a game, maybe he does. If "it" is killing yet another rally by striking out or dribbling a weak grounder to second with 2 out, definitely. There comes a point where you have to weigh how much Tek is helping with his behind the plate skills against how much he is hurting with his lack of production at the plate. In my mind it's not even close any more. I'm not saying the Sox should get rid of him, but he's got to come down to Earth with his salary/years demand.
Nice Going,Chad........Might serve as a wakeup
Bad piece. Don't you try to get the most out of your contract.? I guess you write for free. Maybe you should after this piece. Jeter got 10 yrs because he is a shortstop, catchers only get 4yrs.
Matt Clement and Wade Miller are both completely unfair to throw on Varitek. Clement was doing quite well before he got hit in the head with that Crawford line drive and even after he started struggling and they told him he was healthy, they discovered later that his shoulder was basically shot and had been for awhile. It's a similar situation with Wade Miller. He was just coming off of surgery, a difficult thing for anyone, let alone trying to do it as a new pitcher in Boston.
I think considering that the Red Sox will be relying heavily on young arms in the near future with Buccholtz, Bowden, Masterson, etc. it will be important to have a strong catcher behind the plate. While the catcher from Texas is a great option, it would be silly to rely on him to develop our young pitchers while he's still developing himself.
Chad, a little perspective please!
1) To assume an athlete should take a home town discount or that he is greedy is crazy...would you?
2) Seems if the Sox match the high bidder, Tek will stay...also seems the high bid will not approach 4/52.
3) With Lester (of course) Bucholz (maybe) and Masterson (probably) getting meaningful innings, who would you rather have behind the plate instead of Tek??
Russ Gibson....we could use you now..RIP my friend.
I like Varitek, but I can squat behind the plate and continuously call for a high fastball. His play calling has gotten worse. On more than one occasion, including the playoffs, he repeatedly called for pitches the batter wasn't chasing and the ump wasn't giving to him, determined to make it work.. It was ridiculous.
His defense is way below average and he's a liability at the plate. If he wants to return for cheap money, thats fine, but hopefully he doesn't pout and complain when Tito sits him. I understand his agent is there to set the bar high and negotiate from there, but his comments are becoming laughable.
LET THE CHEATING BUM GO
The whole point of Varitek calling a good game is certainly valid. He's known throughout baseball for that strength and widely respected by his peers and coaches as well! More often than not,the pitchers who are able to throw the pitch called for by Tek and place it where he wants it stand a very good chance of succeeding in neutralizing that particular batter's strength(s)...the one(s) who can't locate and can't execute the strategic pitch called for at that exact moment pays for his mistake!...and let's not be so provincial that we don't occasionally give credit to a good hitter for hitting a good pitch! I believe a gradual transition and subsequent departure by Tek a couple of years down the road would prove more prudent as wise in it's overall effect on the pitching staff as well as the overall character of this team!
The whole point of Varitek calling a good game is certainly valid. He's known throughout baseball for that strength and widely respected by his peers and coaches as well! More often than not,the pitchers who are able to throw the pitch called for by Tek and place it where he wants it stand a very good chance of succeeding in neutralizing that particular batter's strength(s)...the one(s) who can't locate and can't execute the strategic pitch called for at that exact moment pays for his mistake!...and let's not be so provincial that we don't occasionally give credit to a good hitter for hitting a good pitch! I believe a gradual transition and subsequent departure by Tek a couple of years down the road would prove more prudent as wise in it's overall effect on the pitching staff as well as the overall character of this team!
Base stealers thrown out = 22% That's pretty lame.
and.........
Why don't switch hitters who hit 100 points less from one side than the other ever try hitting from their "best" side all the time? It's simply an egotistical "I'm such a great athlete I can hit from both" sides mentality.
100% on the money. 1 or 2 year realistic contract. No Borac bells and whistles. Would love to see Theo and crew scouting/developing a catcher or get a catcher for 2010 or 2011. Every captain has to at some point leave his ship - and Varitek has to be eye'n the shore. I think the fans will give him a great, deserved send off. It's always sad to see the great ones do what we all do - AGE - such is life. I hope he shows the Sox some respect - as they have shown him throughout the years.
Wow! It is amazing how many have jumped on Finn's anti-Varitek bandwagon. Did Finn forget about how many no-hitters Tek has caught (kinda funny how he failed to mention that, huh?) He can and does call a great game and yes, his offensive skills are on the decline, however, I highly doubt there is a team out there that is willing to give him a 4 year/52 Million deal. If there is than at that time we can say goodbye and wish him the best. However, I believe he will be our catcher for the next 2 years with a club option for a 3rd. The Captain is not going anywhere!
Oops, my bad! Finn did mention the no hitters. Sorry about that. But that doesn't change the fact that the Captain will be back. I am not afraid to admit that I am a Tek fan and I want him back (for the right price which will happen).
I love the comments by posters who simply say "give him $14M for 2 years and then let him go". The problem is that Vtek won't accept a deal like that and can get more elsewhere. He's going to force the Red Sox to either overpay for him or he'll find another sucker to do the same.
Time to part ways and start fresh. Any bum from AAA can do better offensively and defensively than he has in the last season and 1/2. I love what he did for us - I respect him tremendously for his past accomplishments, but if you pay top dollar for him now - you ARE paying him for past accomplishments. Time to move on.
Hey Chad, Ditto!
This is pretty funny. No one is going to offer Tek more than a journeymans salary.
He may be lucky to hit 200 next year. At this point he should be a backup catcher and not even a starter. He hasn`t been any good since that knee injury a few yaers ago.We could always bring back Mirabelli and get as much offense as Tek will provide, I say tell him goodbye.
Maybe offer him a couple of million with a bunch of incentives but otherwise he is out of his mind.
Your article is right on the money (a Boras pun of course). Tek is a worthless commodity who if signed, will take a roster spot from a player who will be able to contribute.
Dump him and either trade or buy or bring-up a catcher. Any would be better than Captain Over-rated.
As Edward R Murrow might have told Tek if he were the GM:
"Good night and good luck"! No sane team exec will contemplate 4 years for a .220
hitting 36 yr old catcher whose flame is almost out. But then there's always the
Dodgers (see Kevin Brown, Jason Schmidt et al) My one wish is that Tek somehow catches on with an AL East rival, which would essentially turn that team into an eight-hitter National League lineup.
Wow, bitter much Chad?? He must have refused your request for an interview at some point in the distant past. ;-)
Great article, Chad! Varitek was an automatic out all year. I never had any confidence he would come through with men on base and teams got smart and walked batters in front of him to pitch to him. He should look in the mirror and realize he's done. He's had a good career and could be a backup somewhere but not in Boston. Boras is a buffoon with all his stupid stats and figures on his clients which help him make millions of $$. Boras trying to compare Varitek to Posada is a joke! Posada can still hit! Boras is everything that is wrong with baseball. He's an egomaniac and I can't believe the owners give him the time of day.
It appears to me that it's the length of the contract is the show-stopper here. If Tek is unable to catch for any reason during this period, the acquiring team won't be able to use him at 1b and/or in the DH spot. Ergo, he'd be the race with a broken leg.
On a two year contract, it's a no-brainer; a three is a bonus; a four is a giveaway.
Of course, not following up in the Tek direction would most certainly necessitate that the Sox have a formidable backstop plan. Surely, they won't pass and miss on another candidate? Regardless, someone will be catching next year in Fenway. It's all a matter of what they bring to the baseball table.
We can do better than Varitek. The guy thinks the world revolves around him with his outlandish demand for that big $52 million dollar payday. I would be willing to bet dollars to donuts that if the Red Sox told him to get lost he would be hard pressed to get anything close to what he's asking. In fact, he might not much of an offer at all. Theo Epstein should trade for a young catcher and tell Jason to hit the bricks. We survived the loss of Damon, Mueller, Millar, Martinez, and recently with Ramirez. If we can survive without those guys we can survive with the greedy and miserable hitting Varitek. Jason, it good knowing you but you know the way out.
Chad, spot on mate! Boras is one of the worst things that has happened to baseball and the game he is playing here is dont you love the loyalty of Tek, he deserves to go out on a high note, etc. etc....Tek should look to Wakefield as an example..If I was Boston I would give him a 2 year deal for the transition at 6 million per or hit the road. fair is fair and his bat and arm hurt us a ton in 2008!
Jason Varitek is and has been the most over hyped and over rated player in red sox history. He gets all the credit when the pitcher has a good game and none of the blame when he stinks up the joint. Let's face it folks, he is way past his prime and the sox need to move on and prepare for the future without him. I always hear the same old song and dance from his supporters. Baseball has been here alot longer than Jason Varitek has been catching and unless you can measure his true worth (in the form of game calling abilities) I reject all comments stating that you must sign him.
Chad,
Great work, I have been posting the same things on Boston.com boards for months. If he gets the credit for the sucess how come he gets no accountability for the Matt Clements. All I remember is people saying Clement will benifit from Tek. Didn't happen. I wonder aloud how any team on young pitcher ever make it without Tek. The Sox should be 162-0 with his game calling and when other teams win it is pure luck! Please, the World Series Teams had young cathcers who seemed to do pretty well and they hit a little too.
His defense does not out weight his horrible offensive production. At short money he may be a stop gap but for Posada money, I wonder if the Yankee's would like that contract back now? Atleast Posada can hit. He actual throws out runners too.
"great" How does the word fit Veritek!! He was a good catcher. Now it is time to retire to AZ and do golf and hunt for females!!
Shhh! How are we going to get our two draft picks if Boras can't snooker some team into giving Tek a multi-year deal?
The Sox don't want Varitek back, and this is one instance where Boras's interests and the Sox' interests are perfectly aligned.
Has that move when Tek stands up and calls for the high fast ball(clearly within the hitter's peripheral vision) ever worked??? Great piece, Chad. I like Tek, but he needs to get real. Clearly it's Boras trying to save his own rep, as the inevitable pay-cut Tek will be forced to take won't bode well for Boras. He is staring the number stupidly high in hopes of conceding to something moderately high..it's his only hope.
How could we let such a beautiful sight go?? He certainly is good to look at!!!
Finally! An objective reporter not sucking up to the Nation ownership and players.
It will be fun beating Tek in a Tigers uniform or even better if it is with Ozzie!
Boras & Veritek is just another example of celebs fleecing the public. If the Sox resign the bum, it's the public that pays the tab like all of the other operating expenses after the owners pull out their salaries!! Tek was over the hill at least a year ago and needs to leave!!
We shouldn't have resigned Curt last year and everybody knew it...do not resign Vtek no matter what the contract. We are better off without both of them. Good luck to any team that gives him his money. Can't hit can't run oh but you call a great game.
Good Bye Jason and you'll always have Heidi Watney
The point of saying that Varitek is responsible for Wade Miller and Matt Clement is to point out how absurd it is that Varitek takes CREDIT for the likes of Jon Lester, Curt Schilling and Pedro Martinez. I mean, if you, as a catcher, are going to take credit for how great the pitchers are that you groom, you also have to take the blame for Clay Bucholtz's terrible year, etc.
BOTH positions are nonsense. Varitek has almost nothing to do with the success of the pitching staff beyond his ability to call a game, which is NOT a big deal. Come on now.
When Derek Lowe left via free agency in 2005, I wondered if he would be able to adjust to another catcher, since Tek had been traded with him from Seattle and was the only catcher he had really known. Guess what? D-Lowe went from ERA in Boston in 2003 of 4.47 and 2004 of 5.42 to 3.62, 3.63, 3.88 and 3.24 from 2005 through 2008. So, who is to blame or who takes credit for that? Not only did he do well without Tek, he thrived. So, I thnk the answer is, yes, Tek knows pitchers well and works with young pitchers well, but so don't a lot of catchers. BUT, never underestimate Boras' ability to read the market. I think Tek will get a better offer from another team. Boras is doing his job testing the market.
I'm in the business of helping people who are losing their jobs, their homes, their self-respect, their self-worth. These people will perform any task, apply for any job, work as long as it's needed if it means putting food on the table and keeping their children safe and warm.
So, when I read about a man in the prime of his years, who has already been the recipient of money many, many times his worth, and who can live comfortably the rest of his life and support entire family trees with the wealth gained from an incredibly stupid system, I am a very avid sports fan disappointed by the greed.
Wow, an article that promised to be objective and wasn't. An article that should have had facts, instead has lies and innuendo. An article that goes out of it's way to make a point, but fails to do so and still the incompetent author thinks he has.
An article that ignores his goodpoints and minimizes them as intanigbles yet blatantly contradicts itself a sentence later.
I am all for the counter prevailing point of view, but can we at least get someone marginally competent to write it, instead of winging it and failing?
ANYBODY who associates with BORASS has a BIG ? next to their character.
While I agree that the asking price is ridiculous, so is this artilcle. It's a clear attempt to generate controversy to heighten awareness of the author and build some sort of journalistic career. You really need to settle down - your ambition is beyond transparent.
This is why people think the Red Sox are miserly and lack loyalty: they will never accept the terms Varitek and Bor-Ass have put on the table, so, just like Manny and Pedro and Damon, they will be demonized for showing no respect for the players who have made them such a great team in the recent past. Loyalty no longer has a place in the free-agent world that all sports have become. It is heartbreaking but true. I will miss his presence next season, but no more than I missed his bat this season.
Get a grip; it's just part of the process. It's BORAS looking out for his client -- you know -- doing his job... You can't fault Tek for utilizing the best... that whole business side of the business. To sit here and call Tek names... please, grow up. That kind of idealism is moronic; it's not reality.
Tek shoud get five years at $75m.
He brought home two championships. He deserves it. And, yes I would be willing to pay higher ticket prices to keep Tek in Boston.
Varitek is a class act and just because he asks for, or his agent asks for more moeny than we will ever make then so be it. I guarantee you they will come to a resolution and it will not be close to the 4/52. Richard Brayne, your Son and Friends laugh when Varitek Bats, when is the last time you spoke to your kid and explained the value of someone like Varitek. He shows up to work every day and works hard does not dance around like an idiot, flip his bat or any of those stupid antics. He hustles every time he is on the field. To me that is what I talk to my son about and that is what I want my son to do anytime he is on the field. Look in the mirror Rich
Great piece. Boston.com has been sorely lacking in running dog lackeys for managment. Let's have some more of those articles about whether the Sox should sign Mark Teixeira as if that was even a remote possibility. We can't just not sign Veritek we have to insult him on the way out. It's not too soon to start getting digs in on David Ortiz either. No wonder nobody returns Cleo's phone calls.
If Tek wants more than 2 years, perhaps the additional years should be structured like Schilling's last contract was, with a large number of incentives. Either that or the terms could include a significantly lower salary but with a guaranteed position with the Sox as a coach. I personally think Tek would be the best coach the Sox could hire to develop their catchers.
I love all the arm-chair professionals who all think they are right! This column is such a joke! It's a GAME for crying out loud! You might think the world would come to screeching end if a team loses a player! Tek is great, it seems to me that he focuses more on working with pitchers than he does on his own hitting. So crucify the poor guy why don't you? Do your lives depend on who comes and goes on teams? Grow up, boys and stop your self-inflicted know-it-all bantering!
I don't think that Chad will be invited to the Boston Baseball Writers dinner this year.
Through his words, he writes a great deal but he makes no valid comment and clearly knows nothing about the vital contribution Jason Varitek makes to the Red Sox.
Maybe Chad belongs in another market or should write about something he might know about.... like shoveling snow in the coal mines of California.
I haven't read the full comments (I'm at work), but I'll venture to say that his divorce will feed highly into his demands for one last payday. Consider it like this: All of his prior big contracts took place during his marriage. Therefore, in any divorce, more likely than not, his ex-wife will receive roughly 50% of that sum (minus taxes and other losses/plus gains on investments). She will also likely receive full custodial custody of the kids (he is a Major League player who may be moving to a new market and certainly can't justify full custodial custody from February through (hopefully, if he is with the Sox) early November. (post to be continued)...
Amazing...whenever a player is a free agent, he is automatically labeled as a greedy #$%^%$#..meanwhile the really greedy guys(Henry, Lucchino, Werner, et al) get a free pass...the ass-kissing Boston media will play this like they play every negotiation between management and labor...the price of food and drink at Fenway is a helluva lot more outrageous than anything a player might get...by the way, when are those wonderful owners gonna open the books so the average fan might see how much they're stashing away each year?
As much as I respect what he's done for the Red Sox, I wouldn't pay Varitek any more than $1m/per to return. The game is brutal in that once you're done, you're done - especially for catchers. The team could get a journeyman or bring up a AAA guy and get almost the same, if not more, than what they'll get from Tek in 2009. Take the $8 or $9m the team will save and apply that towards someone who'll help in 2009 and beyond.
Time to move on. Let Boras get the Dodgers to overpay for Tek.
None of the pitchers mentioned in this entry achieved a great deal of succes after leaving the red sox except MAYBE Chad Bradford and he was very mediocre here but not godawful as I recall. A better barometer of Varitek's worth might be the meltdown of the pitching staff in August and Sept 2006 after Varitek got hurt.
Is he worth Posada money? Of course not (neither is Posada)..but 2 years $20 million contract with the agreement that he mentor a young catcher along the waymight be fair to both Varitek and the sox
How is handling a pitching staff and intangible? That's what catchers are supposed to do. Good clubhouse guy is and intangible. Handle a pitching staff is a job description. Look at what happened to the young pitching staff when Tek went down at the trade deadline a few years ago.
Varitek has been a big part of the success of the Red Sox in recent years, much like Troy Brown was a big part of the Patriots' title runs. However, like Troy Brown, Tek has seen his skills diminish with age. It is easier to keep an aging football player on a 53 man roster than it is to keep an aging baseball player on a 25 man roster. I'd love to keep him in a Sox uniform, but not for any more than a two year deal. If he insists on 4 years, let someone else make that mistake (hello Pedro, Damon, etc). We can bring him back as a bullpen coach in five years.
"Scott Sauerbeck. Chad Bradford. Jeff Suppan. Byung-Hyun Kim. Ramiro Mendoza. Bobby Howry. Matt Clement. Wade Miller."
None of these pitchers were products of the farm system and all were developed elsewhere outside of Vartitek's tutelage (besides early Suppan who pitched in 39 games over the course of three seasons '95-'97). Most were retreads off the scrap heap, never very good, injured or coming off injury.
Blaming Varitek for that group of busters' lack of success is laughable.
Several points:
1) 50% of everything he owns goes to the former Ms. Varitek
2) I don't see anybody knocking down the door to pay him $13M a year until he is 41 years old
3) he can't hit and can't throw anymore and he seems to be less than committed to working with the young pitchers - in particular his pitch selection for Buccholiz was terrible. Overall he is now barely an average player.
4) 2 years at $15m total is a GENEROUS offer based upon his value. Even that may be overpaying
5) IF a team is dumb enough to meet his asking price then that removes $52M of available money from the free agent pool.
Varitek could learn I thing or two from A-Rod. He should dump Boras, negotiate directly with Epstein and pocket the commission Boras would have received. I like Varitek, but he is padt his prime and not worth the money he is asking for.
Tek is a fraud especially since I figured out he is Bill Simmons wedding ring guy and asked my freinds wife to head back to the hotel with him when all she wanted was his autograph. What a low life fraud. Can't even hit Pedroias weight.
Veritek's flailing at strike three in both the seventh and ninth innings of game 7 vs. the Rays symbolizes this bum's last 3 years. He has averaged around .232 for the 3 years, and when, when, was he ever even an average hitter? The genius can't even figure out that he has a lifetime average about 65 points lower from the left side. Change? Nah, too stuborn, too stupid or all of the above. He can't throw Big Papi out stealing, and how can you say he calls a good game? To make that claim, you must know the opposing hitters, whether the pitcher has good stuff that night, etc. So the Einsteins who call him a good defensive catcher, in reality, have NO CLUE. Gimme, gimme, gimmie, gimmie, I'm Tek The Great, and how dare you question my contributions, and current skill level !!!!
Veritek's flailing at strike three in both the seventh and ninth innings of game 7 vs. the Rays symbolizes this bum's last 3 years. He has averaged around .232 for the 3 years, and when, when, was he ever even an average hitter? The genius can't even figure out that he has a lifetime average about 65 points lower from the left side. Change? Nah, too stuborn, too stupid or all of the above. He can't throw Big Papi out stealing, and how can you say he calls a good game? To make that claim, you must know the opposing hitters, whether the pitcher has good stuff that night, etc. So the Einsteins who call him a good defensive catcher, in reality, have NO CLUE. Gimme, gimme, gimmie, gimmie, I'm Tek The Great, and how dare you question my contributions, and current skill level !!!!
Veritek's flailing at strike three in both the seventh and ninth innings of game 7 vs. the Rays symbolizes this bum's last 3 years. He has averaged around .232 for the 3 years, and when, when, was he ever even an average hitter? The genius can't even figure out that he has a lifetime average about 65 points lower from the left side. Change? Nah, too stuborn, too stupid or all of the above. He can't throw Big Papi out stealing, and how can you say he calls a good game? To make that claim, you must know the opposing hitters, whether the pitcher has good stuff that night, etc. So the Einsteins who call him a good defensive catcher, in reality, have NO CLUE. Gimme, gimme, gimmie, gimmie, I'm Tek The Great, and how dare you question my contributions, and current skill level !!!!
Veritek's flailing at strike three in both the seventh and ninth innings of game 7 vs. the Rays symbolizes this bum's last 3 years. He has averaged around .232 for the 3 years, and when, when, was he ever even an average hitter? The genius can't even figure out that he has a lifetime average about 65 points lower from the left side. Change? Nah, too stuborn, too stupid or all of the above. He can't throw Big Papi out stealing, and how can you say he calls a good game? To make that claim, you must know the opposing hitters, whether the pitcher has good stuff that night, etc. So the Einsteins who call him a good defensive catcher, in reality, have NO CLUE. Gimme, gimme, gimmie, gimmie, I'm Tek The Great, and how dare you question my contributions, and current skill level !!!!
(continuation of earlier post): Mass guidelines (non-binding on those in his income class) say he should pay around $77,000 in child support. That does not include significant alimony payments and picking up his kids' expenses until their 20s. Child support is determined based upon the "best interests of the children" and cannot be legally reduced by agreement of the parents. Another major factor is that the court can "attribute" income to him if he chooses to take less money. A "home town discount" will not apply to calculating his payments (only his free market "value" will") for his kids and to his ex. Many police officers (and firefighters) working 350+ days a year have found this out to their chagrin.