Rob Bradford of WEEI.com is reporting that the Red Sox have made an offer to Jason Varitek. This offer would pay Tek $5 million in 2009 and include a team option for 2010 at another $5 million. Varitek can also exercise a $3 million player option if the team declines their end of the option. Varitek has been clear in that he wants a multi-year contract, so this may satisfy both parties. The Red Sox have given Varitek an unknown deadline of when to accept the offer.
We’re gonna miss you, Sean Casey. We will miss the inevitability of a hit when you came to the plate.…
Perhaps the most perplexing, yet enticing prospect in the Sox system, Bubba Bell is at the stage in his career where performance is everything. There is no projection left. Always known as a hitter with above-average skills all-around, he no longer can point to this fact, and must produce or he'll remain a career minor leaguer until he's finally forced to retire. After a breakout season in the wind-tunnel, otherwise known as High-A Lancaster, Bell had many scouts wondering if he had made the necessary adjustments to become a major league regular. But even then, his ultimate ceiling was in question.
He had always been known to have solid, yet unspectacular tools all around. He makes excellent contact, has decent power, solid plate discipline, a tick above average speed, a good glove with decent range, and a plus arm. He can play all outfield positions well, but profiles more as a right fielder because of his stocky build. With his strong work ethic, fundamentally balanced swing, and contact rate, there isn't much doubt that he could at least serve as an adequate fourth outfielder. So what remains as Bubba's biggest stepping stone to the major leagues?