Tag: Jason Varitek

Boston Red Sox Re-Sign Jason Varitek To a One-Year Deal

The Boston Red Sox have answered all the many questions surrounding their 2011 catching platoon by re-signing Jason Varitek today to a one-year, $2 million deal, according to multiple sports writers, including SI’s Jon Heyman.

That is, the signing answers the question of who will tag-team the Fenway dish along with the young Jarrod Saltalamacchia. As late as this morning, speculation ran rampant that the Sox might trade for the Dodgers‘ Russell Martin, a non-tender candidate with high upside and an injury history.

Re-upping Varitek all but forces the Dodgers’ hand regarding Martin.

With the non-tender deadline looming this evening, the Dodgers might have hoped to deal the over-priced Martin to the likes of Boston sometime today and avoid offering him arbitration. The Sox are one of the few teams with a need and the resources to potentially waste $4 million or more on the two-time all-star.

That rumor can probably now be put safely to rest. Varitek’s knowledge of the Boston pitching staff and his ability to mentor Saltalamacchia make him perhaps the wisest choice for 2011.

Although Varitek will turn 39 next April 11, the catcher demonstrated significant pop during an injury shortened 2010 campaign. Over just 123 plate appearances, Varitek homered seven times and posted a .766 OPS.

Interestingly, the switch-hitting veteran was remarkably more comfortable against right-handers in the friendly confines of Fenway Park during the 2010 season, and, in fact, Varitek hasn’t hit well during away games since 2007.

Odds are the Red Sox will chose to play Varitek mostly at Fenway against right-handed pitchers, which unfortunately doesn’t match well with Saltalamacchia’s strengths and weaknesses. Saltalamacchia is a career .273 hitter against righties, but he’s hit only .207 against southpaws.

With Victor Martinez departed for Detroit, the catching situation in Boston should be an adventure in 2011. Varitek has thrown out just 24 percent of base stealers in his career and Saltalamacchia has managed only 20 percent.

In this writer’s opinion, Boston could very likely be trading for a backstop by mid May.

For breaking Red Sox news updates, follow Peter on Twitter at BoSoxUpdate.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com


MLB Offseason: 5 Potential Catching Scenarios for the 2011 Boston Red Sox

Now that catcher Victor Martinez is gone, where do Red Sox fans turn?

Who is going to be behind the plate next season. Will it be Varitek, Saltalamacchia….Kevin Cash?

These (okay, so hopefully not Kevin Cash) are all possible choices for the Red Sox in 2011. One thing has to be said, though: the market is incredibly short for catchers. If you want a grade A catcher, he’s got to come up through the farm system, plain and simple.

I humbly present five possible catching scenarios that could happen for the ’11 Sox.

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MLB Trades: Power Ranking the 50 Biggest Rip-Offs in League History

Trades are a funny thing.

They are a part of every sport, and the one common characteristic that can describe their nature is their inherent volatility. Trades can be a savior to teams, bringing them to the pinnacle of success. Or they can be the perpetual oppressor, blamed by fans for years of struggle and hardship. Sometimes, the same trade can be viewed either way, depending on the point of view of the fan.

No sport has such a voluminous history of transactions as America’s pastime, so it’s no surprise that deciding which were the absolute worst was no small task.

Think I have anything out of place or that I haven’t included a trade that deserved to be on here? Let me know.

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Victor Martinez to Detroit; Saltalamacchia Projected As Red Sox Starting Catcher

With Victor Martinez headed to the Detroit Tigers, the Red Sox appear set with Jarrod Saltalamacchia as their starting catcher with an intriguing possibility of long-time starting catcher, Jason Varitek, coming back for one more year.

Before Red Sox nation jumps off the cliff regarding VMart leaving at the cost of Justin Masterson, Nick Hagadone and Bryan Price, while getting the Tigers first-round pick and a sandwich pick in the 2011 MLB Amateur Draft, Saltalamacchia is entering his age-26 season and was considered a top catching prospect before stumbling along four seasons with the Atlanta Braves and the Texas Rangers.

There are some positives that should be noted when it comes to Saltalamachia’s potential. In 238 at-bats with the Rangers AAA team last year, Salty hit 11 home runs. Yes, it is not the bigs, but it is a indicator that Saltalamacchia was beginning to turn it around offensively.

Here is another stat: In his last three major league seasons, Saltalamacchia has hit .263 with an OPS of .745 during his age 23 through 25 seasons. From a defensive point of view, he threw out 24 percent of would-be base stealer’s in 2009 when he played a career-high 83 games behind the plate for the Rangers.

In 2009 and 2010, Martinez threw out 14 percent and 21 percent of would-be base stealers.

If Varitek is brought back to backup Salty and play against left-handed pitchers, the Red Sox may have a viable platoon behind the plate at a cost that is a fraction of what VMart garnered today (four years at $12.5 million AAV).

This permits the Red Sox to spend the $30 to $35 million that it will likely spend in free agency and arbitration/salary increases to address the other pressing needs including its bullpen, first base/third base dilemma and left field.

Salty may not be the top-50 prospect that he once was in 2006 or 2007, but he is under the fiscal control of the Red Sox through the 2013 season and that will permit Epstein and company to use their dollars in other areas that need an upgrade.

The downside to this option is obviously experience. He has played 200 games behind the plate in the major leagues. How many games did Varitek play before entering his age 26 season? One game. Victor Martinez played 181 games.

Saltalamacchia will never be as good of a hitter as Victor Martinez and he will never be as good as a defensive catcher as Jason Varitek.

However, the fact that he has been given the opportunity to catch what amounts to one-and-a-quarter seasons behind the plate before turning age 26, which is widely considered the turning point for catchers to fully mature, then maybe the Red Sox were able to buy low and catch a former top-50 baseball prospect at the time when they finally become fully developed.

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MLB Rumors: The 10 Most Overrated Players on the Free Agent Market

With the MLB offseason in full swing, big free-agent signings are on the horizon and many teams are already trying to get the best fits.

Each year there are some signings that work out very well for some teams, and there are other signings that contribute nothing.

The 2010 offseason should be no different, as there will be a fair share of undervalued and under-appreciated players available. On the other hand, there will be some overvalued or overrated players that will be there for the taking.

This offseason, it seems as if there is a high amount of overrated players that will be out in the open for clubs to scoop up to add to their teams.

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Little League World Series 2010: Where are they Now?

Every year a new group of youngsters get their chance to showcase their talents in Williamsport at the Little League World Series—kids that we watch in awe as they amaze us with their bats and arms. 

Where do they go?

When all is said and done, these kids usually fade into the background. Doesn’t anyone ever wonder what happened to these players who gave their all at a young age?

Here is a list of five players that played in the Little League World Series and where they are now.

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Kevin Youkilis and Nine Other Injuries That Have Derailed the Red Sox Season

Every team has to deal with injuries.

During 2010, no team has had to deal with a greater number of injuries and illnesses than the Boston Red Sox, culminating Wednesday when it was announced that Gold Glove first baseman Kevin Youkilis, arguably the team’s most important player, was to have season-ending surgery on his right thumb.

Considering the injuries this season, it is incredible that the Sox have been able to remain in touching distance of the league leading Yankees and Rays.

With several players returning to health recently, Boston fans were hoping that the team would now be able to mount an assault on the AL East and punch their ticket to the playoffs.

Then came the news on Youk. Just in time for a four game series in The Bronx.

If the Red Sox do fail to make the playoffs, they may look at the following 10 injuries as some of the biggest reasons why.

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MLB Trade Rumors: Blue Jays All-Star Catcher John Buck to Red Sox?

Busy as Blue Jays Catcher John Buck was collecting his first hit as an All-Star, he still found time to discuss his former teammate, David DeJesus, with WEEI’s Alex Speier yesterday in Anaheim. Put bluntly, Buck thinks DeJesus would perform tremendously with the Red Sox or another playoff contender.

Little does Buck realize that he may be playing in Beantown just as quickly as Kansas City’s much-discussed outfielder. Perhaps they’ll reunite at Fenway.

According to MLB Trade Rumors’ founder Tim Dierkes, Buck could quickly follow SS Alex Gonzalez out of Toronto. Dierkes suggests that the first-time All Star and soon-to-be free agent catcher might land in Boston.

With both Victor Martinez and Jason Varitek on the disabled list, Boston probably couldn’t find a better option than Buck before the trade deadline, and Toronto probably couldn’t find a more desperate buyer.

Even beyond this 2010 playoff run, the Red Sox would probably have significant interest in Buck, who has thrown out roughly 25 percent of would-be base stealers both this season and throughout his career. Varitek and Martinez have combined to throw out only 19 percent this season.

That six percent may not seem like much, but it could be critical down the stretch in at least hindering a running game, and realistically, the Red Sox don’t have many other options. They need a Major League catcher now if they’re to remain in the race for the hotly contested American League East division title.

Through the All-Star break, Buck is hitting a career-best .272/.502/.306 with 13 homers.

 

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2010 MLB All-Star Game: Nine All-Stars Who Owe Their Managers One

Each year, one question rises to the surface following the announcement of the American and National League rosters for the Major League Baseball All-Star Game: who got snubbed by the All-Star managers?

Today, I take a look at the other side of the coin. Since 2000, a number of players have been selected by their own managers as All-Star managers, despite the fact that they were having less-than-spectacular seasons.

Here are 10 All Stars Who Owe their Managers One.

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Jason Varitek Broken Foot: Boston Red Sox Cash in from Houston Astros

The Red Sox have traded minor league infielder Angel Sanchez to the Houston Astros in exchange for catcher Kevin Cash.

Cash, 32, hit .204 with two homers and four RBI for the Astros this season before being designated for assignment on June 23rd.

The acquisition was prompted by an injury to team captain Jason Varitek, reportedly a broken bone in his foot that will cause him to miss four to six weeks.

Cash spent part of the 2007 and 2008 with the Sox, hitting .207.

He caught Tim Wakefield 35 times during his tenure with the Red Sox, thus explaining why the club may have re-acquired him in the wake of Victor Martinez’ injury.

With Wakefield due to start tomorrow night, Cash could be added to the roster prior to game time.

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