Extending Victor Martinez

Victor Martinez has publicly stated he would like to extend his contract with the Boston Red Sox and perhaps even finish his career here. I don’t doubt he would like to stay here, but the question we have to ask is how much will it cost to get it done. He would like to have something before the season starts.

The first question is the length of a new deal. This will be his age 31 season and he would surely be looking for a four to five year deal. With his ability to get on base and solid power I don’t see a problem with that length of deal, but we should immediately think how long can he last behind the plate.

Contingency Planning for an Ortiz on the Ropes

As Buster Olney stated in a recent piece, “the Red Sox may look to replace David Ortiz if he struggles again in the first half like he did last year.”

Certainly, the struggles of Big Papi have a lot to say about the success of the team. Like we profiled earlier, David Ortiz is undeniably on the downswing of his career. In what should be the last year of his contract, Ortiz will likely have difficulty living up to his $12.5 million price tag.

The plan outlined by Olney involves a specific scenario under which Ortiz repeats his 2009 first-half struggles, leading to a trade of Ortiz, acquiring a catcher and moving Victor Martinez to DH.

Quite the series of moves.

The first obstacle to any such move involves Ortiz underperforming to such a degree that he repeats his putrid April and May, in which he hit just one home run in 178 at-bats on his way to a .185/.289/.286 overall line…

New Poll: Which catcher would you least like to see go on free agency?

New Poll Question: Which Red Sox catcher would you least like to see go on free agency?
* George Kottaras
* Victor Martinez
* Jason Varitek
Vote in the poll on the sidebar.
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Sox’ Expiring Contracts

As is customary at the conclusion of every MLB season, the Boston Red Sox are now the proud holders of a number of expiring contracts and team options.

For a team swept in the opening round of the playoffs, there is often the urge to spend big on the free agent market in an attempt to show the fans that they are committed to winning after a badly failed run.

However, this may not be the case with the 2010 Sox, as they are retaining most of their starting roster – many at excellent prices for their skill level (i.e. Lester for $3.75 million in 2010) – with significant questions at left field and shortstop only.

Now, with the end of the season upon us and free agency approaching, who will the Sox choose to keep around?

BOS 11, CLE 6: Bats Boost Beckett Past Indians

The Boston bats had Beckett’s back last night, in a big way. Alliteration aside, the Red Sox starter struggled through five innings, but came up with the win, his seventeenth of the season, as the Sox took a third game from the Cleveland Indians.

With only one game left in the regular season, the quiet Red Sox backs woke up, as Aaron Laffey and the rest of the Tribe’s pen were lit up, on the way to an 11-6 loss.

POLL: No. 3 starter?

New Poll Question: Who should be considered the No. 3 starter?

• Clay Buchholz
• Daisuke Matsuzaka
• Tim Wakefield
• My grandmother

In the wake of Clay Buchholz’s poor start in Toronto, it’s a legitimate question. We determined Dice-K should be the No. 4 starter in a previous poll, but should he jump up a notch?

As always, new poll is up to the right…vote away and argue it out in the comments.

Stick a fork in Jason Varitek

If Friday night’s game didn’t convince you that Jason Varitek’s time as a starting catcher has passed him by, I’ve got a fantastic house with a view of the ocean for you in Wyoming.

On the year, Varitek’s given up 107 stolen bases while catching only 15, for a god-awful 12% success rate. The last time hitters stole more than 81 stolen bases off of Varitek was in 1999-2000, in full swing of the anti-stretch policy that Joe Kerrigan endorsed. But back then, he was able to catch runners 27 and 25 percent of the time, respectively. Huge difference.

Varitek’s arm has simply abandoned him. The game should bring clarity to the fact that ‘Tek can’t gun them out anymore.

Deadline Darlings: Bay vs. Martinez

For two consecutive seasons, Theo Epstein and the Boston Red Sox front office have made a splash on the infamous “Deadline Day”. His shrewd ability to assess his team and aggressively make maneuvers to address any weaknesses or “fatal flaws” has been well documented and proven out year over year.

The question I pose to you all today, is who was larger impact on their respective teams in the year of their deadline day acquisition; Jason Bay in 2008 or Victor Martinez in 2009?

Of course much of VMart’s story is still to be written and Bay’s success last post-season places a high bar against which Martinez will be measured, but there is certainly enough of a sample between July 31 and today from which to engage the conversation.

KC 5, BOS 1: Byrd Gets His Wings Clipped In First

A five run first inning by the Kansas City Royals did the Red Sox in last night, as the boys from Boston drop the second game of a four game series, 5-1.

Paul Byrd shook off the missteps of the first inning and went on to throw 6.2 innings, but the damage was already done, as Zack Greinke held off the Boston bats with another dominating performance.

Projecting the Playoffs, The Case for Kotchman

With just 20 games left and a 4 1/2 game lead in the Wild Card, what exactly are the chances for our beloved Sox to play in October? Baseball Prospectus seems to think they’re pretty high, but Texas has life yet.

And who, exactly, is the Red Sox’ most unappreciated player. Surely, it couldn’t be Casey Kotchman. Though he doesn’t always see the field, he provides stability at a key position on the diamond, while simultaneously solidifying the team’s outlook at … catcher?

Projecting the Playoffs

With just 20 games remaining in the regular season, the Sox’ Hunt for Red October is getting stronger by the day. At this juncture, with this team, a 4 ½ game lead in the Wild Card is a considerable advantage. Don’t get cozy though, as one hot or cold stretch can completely change the complexion of this race. Still, it’s looking pretty good for the Sox, as Baseball Prospectus gives the Red Sox…