Don't Overlook Jason Varitek

Subject: Don't Overlook Jason Varitek Wed May 21, 2008 12:43 pm

Jason Varitek, one of few players designated as Team Captain, set a record. He now has caught 4 No-Hitters more than any other MLB catcher in history:

Hideo Nomo in 2001
Derek Lowe in 2002
Clay Bucholz in 2007
Jonathan Lester in 2008

On June 7, 2007 Curt Schilling took a no-hitter to the ninth inning with 2 outs. Schilling called off Varitek's sign and the hitter promptly got a hit. Schilling stated that he'll always be haunted with the words "what if".

Tek has spent his entire career with Boston.

After this season, Tek is a free agent and his agent is Scott Boras who tries to squeeze blood out of stone. Boras will likely want a similar contract that Jorge Posada got from the Yankees $52 plus over 4 years. At age 36, that is stretching it by a long shot. Posada is now on the DL and has lost strength in is throwing arm (can't throw runners out on a steal).

It is unlikely Boston will offer more than 3 years to Tek who is also 36. But I hope he stays to develop these young pitchers coming along.
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"Manny changing the attitude in the clubhouse. It's like hearing that Pope Benedict XVI had 'em rolling in the aisles with his stand-up routine at the Vatican." -Dan Shaughnessy

Subject: Re: Don't Overlook Jason Varitek Wed May 21, 2008 1:42 pm

he need to take a pay cut, he's already making 10 mil a season.. offer him 2 years 6.5 per at end of the season..
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Nick

www.stjude.org/donate

Subject: Re: Don't Overlook Jason Varitek Wed May 21, 2008 2:08 pm

I'm a Tek fan, and believe he's worth every penny. I hope they offer him what Mike Lowell got in the off season, 3 years at 12.5 Million per.

Schilling is getting $8 million for being on the DL likely most of the season.

The reality is that MLB, under Selig, is raking in big bucks in spite of the roids controversy. Teams are beginning to take some big risks by signing their youngsters to huge long-term contracts, after only a couple good years.

Look at Barry Zito of the Giants... what a mistake. Bosox made their mistakes with Lugo and Drew.

There are many Bosox fans that want Tek's replacement after this year. But I think Tek's "intangible" can't be measured solely on batting statistics (BTW, he's having a decent year). Part of it is, I think, a lot of fans long for another Pudge Fisk.
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"Manny changing the attitude in the clubhouse. It's like hearing that Pope Benedict XVI had 'em rolling in the aisles with his stand-up routine at the Vatican." -Dan Shaughnessy

Subject: Re: Don't Overlook Jason Varitek Wed May 21, 2008 4:13 pm

Yo Puffs, Tek spent sometime with seattle, Duquette traded Slocumb, for Tek & Lowe, Ken
Pacem en Puffing! tongue

Subject: Re: Don't Overlook Jason Varitek Wed May 21, 2008 5:17 pm

Ken you are right, of course Very Happy

. I was referring to his MLB career. That was quite a trade.
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"Manny changing the attitude in the clubhouse. It's like hearing that Pope Benedict XVI had 'em rolling in the aisles with his stand-up routine at the Vatican." -Dan Shaughnessy