Jason Varitek Photo by Kelly O'Connor
Two items of real interest this morning:
Jim Rice is, once again, on the ballot for the Baseball Hall of Fame. Last year, he was 16 votes short of making it in. This 2009 will be his last chance to get voted in (aside from the Veterans voting him in) and I know he’s on the bubble for a lot of folks, but I absolutely believe he should be in. We’ll find out on January 12, 2009.
And the Red Sox only offered arbitration to two of their eligible players – Paul Byrd and Jason Varitek. I have nothing on Byrd. I don’t care either way. Let him stay, let him go. No skin off my nose. But, I’ll come out and say it: I want Tek back in 2009.
So the whole arbitration thing fascinates me. I wonder how this, coupled with the rumors of a one-year offer from the Sox, is going to make other MLB teams balk at trying to sign Tek. I don’t want Theo to give Tek the moon, but I think Theo can come up with something that Tek (if not Boras) can live with. Maybe I’m in denial, but I still see Tek in red socks come March 2009.
Still no news on Kyle’s future. It’s only the beginning of December – we have a long way to go!
Comments 6
I don’t see Jason Varitek leaving the Red Sox. And I don’t see the Sox letting him go either. I’m hoping beyond hope they dont’ make me wait until Christmas Eve again for the answer – however, this girl will absolutely accept that as a Christmas gift this year. ;)
Truly, they should do 2 years + option(s); I’ve been thinking all along that is what they’d settle on, and I’m hoping that I’m right.
Truthfully, it doesn’t make sense for the organization to have it any other way. It is smart and practical business sense to ease into another catcher; it isn’t all about the money in this case, and even if it was – I think that there are plenty of arguements to be made about overplaying for players who don’t reach the expected potential. With Jason, outside of his offense struggles this year – there’s never any of that. The intangibles which some refuse to acknowledge far outweigh the crack of the bat. To me, his offense when it’s there — is gravy.
Posted 02 Dec 2008 at 11:34 am ¶I am nauseous on a daily basis about the TEK situation. Ridiculous… I know…. but I want him back. He deserves to finish his career in a Red Sox uniform and no one can take away what he has given to this organization not to mention major contributions to two world series. I don’t expect them to give him the moon…but I’m not sure that’s what he expects either. Two years..decent money…possible option for a third with some incentives built in for working hard….cmon…PLEASE!
Dori
Posted 02 Dec 2008 at 11:35 am ¶I second what all of you have said. It’s great to know others want Tek to come back too. I have felt like I’m in the minority. I do also agree that he deserves more than one year. Does anyone know specifically what the arbitration offer is? Is it only for one year? I’ve heard one year in the neighborhood of 12 million, but I don’t think that was in any way official. I think it was a guess.
I am hoping that Tek comes back with a strong year for the Sox. I certainly think it’s possible.
Posted 02 Dec 2008 at 2:35 pm ¶My feeling on Rice: I would go so far as to say I “guarantee” he gets in. Because he got 72 (?) percent last year, when he needed 75. This year, the 72 percent will again vote for him, while there should be a whole legion of voters who are waiting for the last year (this year) to vote for him. The way I see it, that would mean a really, really high total of voters will be voting him in this year. Like, almost 100%. Okay, maybe not that high, but definitely 75%. Right?
Posted 02 Dec 2008 at 3:01 pm ¶I can’t fathom watching Tek play baseball in any uniform other than a Sox uniform.
Posted 02 Dec 2008 at 8:30 pm ¶I’m in the camp of give him two years with a 3rd year option and I’d like to see him willing to take $8-9 million per year.
1. Put Jim Ed Rice in the Hall where belongs…
2. Tek… Sox were wise to offer arbitration. First, BorAss is out to lunch to think Tek is worth a Posada like deal. Second the Sox counter for a one year deal is equally ridiculous. So now that there are extremes, at least there’s a middle ground to discuss.
If BorAss continues to be unrealistic, at the very least the Sox get some form of compensation in picks, should they not come to terms. Tek has until the end of weekend to decide to accept or reject arbitration, or better still, get a deal done.
My vote is a one ~ two year deal with a club option for a third.
Meanwhile, everybody take a look around the leagues and ask yourself which team is needing a catcher, and if they do, does their payroll allow Posada like money and years? When the exercise is complete, it should be fairly clear that no GM in their right mind is going to go for a guy who is on the back end of his career, although his preparation is superb, his bat and arm are showing their age for that kind of deal.
But it’s cold here and snow on the way. It means I don’t know anything.
Posted 02 Dec 2008 at 8:32 pm ¶