Jason Varitek has been a great asset over the years. A notoriously great “game-caller,” if that exists. A great leader in the clubhouse, which believe it or not, does actually matter–although impossible to quantify. Varitek has given the Red Sox pitching staff throughout the years, a sense of comfort that is only known by the players within the lines. He has been “The Captain.”
…Again, an asset.
But Victor Martinez needs to continue to catch most of the time. Four out of every five days, preferably.
Ever since joining the team, V-Mart has been killing the ball, belting long homers, and roping line drives all over the field. And his work with the pitchers seems like it is something that they can find comfort in. Martinez is relaxed, understanding, and seemingly realizes how to go about calming a pitcher down when things are going awry. He, like Varitek, has the experience needed to work behind the dish.
Neither catcher is very adept at controlling the running game. Sure, the pitchers play a large role in this as well. But the catcher still has to be quick to the bag, with everything involved, including the throw. Martinez is better at this point, at throwing out runners. Varitek’s Caught Stealing percentage has always been in the 20’s, and sits at a miserable 14 percent this season.
But Martinez on the other hand, threw out base-runners at clips of 32 and 37 percent in 2007 and 2008. So he at least has some ability in this area.
Tek was given every opportunity to share the job. But he simply isn’t what he used to be. We already knew that, I know. But when he was hitting early in the year, it was okay, we tolerated the lack of ability to control the running game.
In August, since the Martinez acquisition, Varitek has hit .118/.231/.147. Granted, a very small sample, but it could be a product of age, as Tek maybe wearing down some as the season progresses. He is, after all, 39 years of age.
Unfortunately, the best team the Red Sox can put out doesn’t include Varitek. And resorting him to a permanent backup is in the best interest of the team. Sooner, rather than later.
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Haven’t seen Vic (attempt to) catch the knuckleball yet, but I think, if he can, he should be out there everyday … maybe, with the exception of Becks’ starts. If Josh would feel more comfortable with Tek as his personal catcher, I think that’s a fine compromise — he just needs to keep the opposing score low enough that we don’t miss Vic’s bat. And if there’s one pitcher I think we can trust enough to keep the score low, it’s Josh.
I don’t know how he would do catching the knuckler from Wake. But at this point, the lineup with him penciled in as catcher can be a dangerous lineup. He seems to work well with the pitchers, as far as calming them down and stuff. But obviously, I am far from sure of that, as it is difficult to *know*
Agreed. Keeping Youk, Vic, and Mikey Lowell in the lineup at the same time gives us lots of options. Jeez, a lineup potent enough to push JD down to the 8 spot seems pretty unfair … on paper, at least.
Varitek is catching today and according to Francoma he’ll catch tomorrow too. Burnett’s hard breaking ball, will produce 4 K’s from Mr. Automatic.