Category: Jason Varitek

 Jason Varitek

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.

December 1, 2008 evan brunell
Dontrelle Willis

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.

November 27, 2008 evan brunell
Jason Varitek

WEEI.com Source: Initial offer to Varitek for one year

According to Rob Bradford of WEEI.com, sources close to the negotiations between the Red Sox and their captain Jason Varitek indicate that the Red Sox first offer was for only one year. The dollar amount was not disclosed by Bradford's source.

If this is true, I think it speaks volumes of (a) the ongoing tenor of the negotiations and (b) the Red Sox willingness to not go longer years than two on any contract with Varitek.

I did think the Red Sox would likely try and overpay in annual dollars by a small factor to keep the deal at two years. Don't be surprised if the Red Sox final offer is in the 2 year, $22 million dollar range.

November 24, 2008 josh lacey
Chris Snyder

Red Sox Roundtable: Who’s our catcher?

Out of all the catchers that may be available through trade or free agency, which player do you want starting for the Sox and why?

November 14, 2008 evan brunell
Brian Fuentes

Morning Cup o’ Rumors: MLB; Sox needs

Let's take a whirl throughout the rumors in baseball and see what's going on...

In Milwaukee, Doug Melvin picked up Mike Cameron's option, but the Yankees have now come calling -- presumably dangling Melky Cabrera and Ian Kennedy. With Alex Rodriguez being solicited for advice on Cameron and rumblings that the Yankees might sign second baseman Orlando Hudson and move him to centerfield, you can expect to see a new centerfielder roaming the new Yankee Stadium next year.

A back of the rotation starter is being looked at so Clay Buchholz isn't handed the job in spring training. Paul Byrd could return.

November 7, 2008 evan brunell
Jason Varitek

Bora$ wants ‘Posada money’ for Varitek

Scott Boras said he thinks Jason Varitek is worthy of a four-year, $52.4 million commitment, which is what the Yankees' Jorge Posada got last year. Posada posted a career best 154 OPS+, the year before his free agency. Varitek? A career worst 73.

November 4, 2008 evan brunell
A.J. Burnett

Projections for 2009 Red Sox and others

Bill James has come out with his new handbook for 2009, and in the handbook are the early statistical projections for players next year. This may be especially significant in the case of the Red Sox, as James has a vast amount of knowledge of players in the Red Sox system due to being employed by the team.

November 3, 2008 evan brunell