The Boston Red Sox revealed today that Mark Kotsay underwent surgery Jan. 29th to remove a displaced disc fragment (H/T Extra Bases). This makes the Brad Wilkerson signing yesterday (minor league deal) make more sense. Wilkerson is likely ahead of Jeff Bailey, Chris Carter and Jon Van Every for a bench spot.
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What does the return of Varitek mean for the club? Does it mean "more of the same?" No, I don't think it does. The actions of management over the last year have shown that the club is intent on shaking the psychological hold that Varitek holds over the team.
Varitek is a great leader, "The Captain," renowned for his hard work. But no one can defeat time, and if the Sox are to weather the transition from Varitek into another catcher, the team has to be weaned off 'Tek and how much he means to the club.
Word on the street via Jon Heyman has Jason Varitek accepting the Red Sox's offer of one year plus a second year with a mutual option. The race to find a catcher of the future can wait.
I can't see it happening, but apparently Jason Varitek may elect to sit out the 2009 season or even retire.
This is a ploy for some team -- whether it's the Red Sox or another team -- to blink. Varitek will play in 2009, and the only way it's for the Red Sox is if it's at their price.
When was the first night game played at Fenway Park?
The Can-Am Worcester Tornadoes have offered Manny Ramirez a contract for two years at $24,000. With Worcester as my birth city and a city I still frequent multiple times a week, it would be great if he signed.
The Tornadoes have had former Red Sox prospects play for the team such as Greg Montalbano and Ed Reilly, who pitched the first ever Tornadoes game and then retired immediately after the game. Former Red Sox catcher Rich Gedman has been the manager since inception. Johnny Pesky and Roger Clemens were among those that attended Tornado games in 2008. I attended the first game for the Tornadoes; you can read about it here (sadly, the pictures no longer work).
One of the better stories of the 2008 season was the maturation of Jon Lester into a pitcher very much to be reckoned with.
There are three pressing questions when attempting to evaluate Lester's chances for 2009: control, workload and xFIP.
Fire Brand takes a look at each component and attempts to answer the question.
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.