Is Varitek Done In Boston?

[love_that_reefer]

Did we just witness Jason Varitek's last game in a Red Sox uniform?? Could the Captain not be retained? I say he is brought back but the Sox do have to find a full-time catcher. Varitek can stay on as a backup and play some first base too but there is no reason for him to start. He had just one hit in the ALCS which really hurt Boston's chances. Sure his one hit was a big one that put them ahead to eventually win a game but where is Boston now? On a plane ride home that's where. Varitek will be 37 next year, a year after hitting just .220 with a lousy .313 OBP. He only drove in 43 runs in a pretty damn good lineup. He is declining and I personally would not retain him but I do feel Epstein will. Red Sox need to stay on top and signing declining players is not the way to go.

[BuckFoston]

I think the Red Sox should let him go. I mean, come on, one hit? Thats pitiful. I don't think they have a catcher down in their farm that they could pull up though, do they? I could be wrong though, that's just what I have heard. Although, as a Yankees fan, I would like to see them keep him.

[HollywoodLeo]

But he's caught 4 no hitters!

[realmofotalk]

I don't think they have a catcher down in their farm that they could pull up though, do they? I could be wrong though, that's just what I have heard.

George Kottaras. Nice job, San Diego. I hope that David Wells was worth it.

[love_that_reefer]

Dusty Brown also did well in AAA this year but Kotteras is the better of the two.

[HollywoodLeo]

They were desperate for another pitcher.

Shitty trade in retrospect, though.

[BuckFoston]

George Kottaras. Nice job, San Diego. I hope that David Wells was worth it.

Dusty Brown also did well in AAA this year but Kotteras is the better of the two.

Are they MLB ready?

[realmofotalk]

Jose Molina is not MLB ready, yet the Yankees still keep him.

[love_that_reefer]

I would say Kotteras is. Plus they have plenty of good arms to trade for a catcher.

[Kingdom]

Jose Molina is not MLB ready, yet the Yankees still keep him.

Rumor has it defense is an important aspect of being a catcher. I do realize you might have missed that memo with Piazza and Lo Duca.

[nyjunc]

I think the Red Sox should let him go. I mean, come on, one hit? Thats pitiful. I don't think they have a catcher down in their farm that they could pull up though, do they? I could be wrong though, that's just what I have heard. Although, as a Yankees fan, I would like to see them keep him.

I hope they let him go, he does alot more than his offensive #s indicate.

[Lance324]

I hope they let him go, he does alot more than his offensive #s indicate.

Yeah he calls more fastballs than any other catcher in baseball. He couldn't throw out a runner to save his you know what... And if he comes up with runners on base, you better hope for a strikeout, cause otherwise a double play is on the way. He's gone too far down hill. He needs to be replaced, I'm not sure how but they need to come up with a better catcher. Anybody have a top notch young catcher in exchange for a Clay Buchholz? The Red Sox offseason should consist of upgrading at catcher and middle relief.

[NYgiantsfan5689]

Anybody have a top notch young catcher in exchange for a Clay Buchholz?

You would be regretting that as soon as Beckett, Wakefield, or Dice-K lose their stuff. That could be soon for the first 2.

[browntown653]

Um, Beckett's not losing his stuff any time soon. Or Dice-K. And Wakefield's "stuff" is a knuckleball which...isn't going anywhere. He's just old.


Anyway, there's really no reason for the Red Sox to sign Varitek other than as a possible backup, and if they plan on keeping Wakefield they may use a knuckleball-catching catcher as the backup anyway so...I don't think he fits. Truth be told I'm not sure why anyone would want Tek at this point, yes he's an emotional leader and a damn good one but he really brings nothing to the table offensively at this point.

[HollywoodLeo]

You would be regretting that as soon as Beckett, Wakefield, or Dice-K lose their stuff. That could be soon for the first 2.

Josh Beckett is 28 years old. How is he going to be losing his stuff anytime soon?