MVN: Most Valuable Network

Who's behind the dish for the Sox in '09?

There's been a lot of sexy names thrown around by fans and pundits alike for who will be the Red Sox's starting backstop in 2009. Names like Miguel Montero, Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Russell Martin have at one point or another been a focal point of discussion. Joe Mauer recently joined the list amid news the Red Sox were "salivating" over Mauer once he hits free agency in 2011.

What if the solution has been staring us in the face all along?

Updates from the Hot Stove

On the surface it would appear that his decision is between Boston and the L.A. Angels of Anaheim, but the Nationals and to a lesser extent the Orioles are showing it is not a two team race for the switch-hitting, Gold Glover.

Boras: Red Sox have offered Varitek a contract

In a press conference this evening from the Winter Meetings in Las Vegas Scott Boras revealed that the Red Sox have in fact extended a contract offer to catcher Jason Varitek.

When asked about the seriousness of the Red Sox interest in his client, their captain, Boras responded;

"Well, I mean, look, when a major league team approaches you about a player and offers them a contract, I guess that's serious."

After a follow up question directly asking if the Red Sox have offered Varitek a contract Boras responded, "Yes."

Whether this offer was the one year deal alluded to before the arbitration offer or represents a new offer while the parties were at the Winter Meetings was not addressed.

Given the activity around the catcher market thus far, a two year $20 - $22 million dollar contract would likely be a win-win for both parties.

All's quiet on the Western front

For all the build up heading into Las Vegas, the 2008 Winter Meetings has started off with more of a whimper than a bang.

There seems to be more posturing than action at every turn, and maybe that's to be expected in a market that shows more signs of mirroring the overall economic climate than the continued bonanza that free agents were hoping for.

Take for example Rafael Furcal and Francisco Rodriguez, who both turned their backs on lucrative contract offers because they expected more to be out there this winter.

Sox talking trade for Schneider?

Could a possible catching replacement be on his way to Boston? Reports coming from Las Vegas say Red Sox are talking to Mets about Brian Schneider.

Sox set to sign Baldelli, Bloomquist?

The Red Sox have been hotly linked to two players: Seattle's Willie Bloomquist and Tampa Bay's Rocco Baldelli.

Varitek to decline arbitration

Jon Heyman is reporting that the Red Sox's longtime catcher, Jason Varitek, will decline arbitration. He was theorized to possibly accept, as he would have received a raise over his current $10.4 million salary and possibly rebuild his value for the free agent market next year.

Either Varitek (or really, Scott Boras) feels he will be able to get Varitek a multi-year deal worth significant money or there is already such a deal on the table.

The Truth is Out There

While the truth may be out there, it's awash with a sea of misinformation deeper than any Mulder and Scully had to wade through.

Buster Olney provides the latest fodder for the Red Sox rumor mill in his links column on ESPN Insider.

Tek, Byrd offered arbitration

Jason Varitek and Paul Byrd were offered arbitration in advance of the midnight deadline. Varitek, a Type A free agent, will fetch two draft picks (first round and supplementary first round, unless the first rounder is in the top 15; then it will be the second round pick of the signing team) if he signs elsewhere. Peter Gammons believes there is a chance Varitek accepts.

Byrd is a Type B, which will be a supplemental round pick. There's no harm in Byrd accepting as it would put Masterson in the bullpen, give us a deep bullpen and depth in the rotation. It won't preclude any team from signing him as there are no draft picks for them to lose.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving! Hope this is a time you can all enjoy the things that we have been blessed with.

Sean McAdam reports that Julio Lugo for Dontrelle Willis or Nate Robertson have stalled and are unlikely to pick up. The Red Sox will also offer arbitration to Jason Varitek, a move he is likely to decline.