Decision Time Looming for Varitek, Sox

January 29, 2009 | MLB.com | By Ian Browne



BOSTON -- The topic that has engulfed Red Sox Nation for more than three months is finally on the verge of closure. By the end of Friday, Jason Varitek's status, at least when it comes to whether he will remain with the only Major League team he's played for, should finally be resolved.


When the Red Sox presented their formal offer to Varitek at the end of last week, they let it be known that there was a one-week deadline. This was not to put Varitek into a corner or to make him feel uncomfortable.


As one high-ranking Boston official put it earlier this week, it was simply the club's way of bringing a conclusion to the situation, one way or the other.


Pitchers and catchers report to Fort Myers, Fla., on Feb. 12. The Red Sox feel that the time has come that they need to know if Varitek is going to be one of those catchers. Presumably, Varitek would also like to have his situation settled.


The offer made to Varitek was for one year at $5 million, plus an option for 2010 that could either be picked by the team for $5 million or by Varitek for $3 million. Some reports have suggested that Varitek could simply take the one-year offer if the options don't appeal to him.


There have been no public words by the Red Sox, Varitek or agent Scott Boras since the offer was made, which has only added to the intrigue.


In the immediate aftermath of elimination in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series against the Tampa Bay Rays, players immediately started fielding questions on Varitek's uncertain future.


At that time, first baseman Kevin Youkilis said it would be "eye-opening" if he arrived at Fort Myers and Varitek wasn't there.


At a speaking event earlier this week, left-hander Jon Lester was asked what it would be like if Varitek doesn't come back.


"I don't want to think about that," Lester told reporters. "If I had to build a team, he's the guy that I would pick to start my team around."


All winter, teammates have expressed hope that the captain and the Red Sox can extend a relationship that began on July 31, 1997, when Varitek and Derek Lowe came over in a trade from the Mariners for reliever Heathcliff Slocumb. It wound up being one of the best trades in club history.


Whether or not Varitek comes back, his legacy with the Red Sox is secure, serving as a leader for the team's first two World Series championships since 1918.


But this winter has been about business for both sides, not reflection.


At this stage of his career, Varitek's top skills are intangible things, like the way he calls a game, blocks the plate and provides leadership. But those things can be hard to measure in salary negotiations.


Though Varitek had the worst offensive season of his career in 2008 and will turn 37 in April, the Red Sox offered him arbitration, knowing that this would guarantee the catcher a salary of somewhere between $10-$12 million for 2009.


Of course, a big part of the reason Boston did this was to guarantee it a compensatory Draft pick if Varitek signed with another team.


But Varitek, in a somewhat surprising move, turned down the offer of arbitration. Though Varitek's contract wouldn't have been guaranteed if he had taken arbitration -- the Red Sox would only have been responsible for one-sixth of it if they had cut him during Spring Training -- it would have made his return to the team all but certain.


Considering Varitek's status in the clubhouse and in the community, it's hard to imagine the Red Sox would have released their captain.


The entire arbitration situation seemed to stall the negotiations. Varitek became less attractive to other teams once he was offered arbitration because of the compensation issue. And once he rejected it, it officially ended any contractual ties he had to the Red Sox.


As the situation dragged on -- perhaps due somewhat to tension between Boras and the Red Sox over the bitter end to the Mark Teixeira negotiations -- Varitek requested a face-to-face meeting with Boston owner John W. Henry.


That took place on Jan. 16, as Henry flew to Atlanta. And a week later came Boston's formal offer.


Now, decision time is closing in.


If Varitek doesn't take the offer, the Red Sox will likely proceed as if he won't be coming back. Perhaps they will intensify trade talks for a young catcher, such as Miguel Montero of the Diamondbacks, or one from the Texas tandem of Taylor Teagarden and Jarrod Saltalamacchia.


If that price is still too much for Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein, the club might just have to go with what it has internally.


That would include Josh Bard, the switch-hitter who was signed to a one-year deal in December, and one of the prospects (Dusty Brown and George Kottaras) who formed a solid platoon at Triple-A Pawtucket last season.


Of course, in a perfect world, the Red Sox would get Varitek back for another year or two and he could mentor his eventual successor.


"I'd be shocked if 'Tek doesn't come back to Boston," said former Red Sox first baseman Sean Casey, who announced his retirement and move to the MLB Network earlier this week. "The fans love him there. The guys in that clubhouse love 'Tek. I can't imagine Jason Varitek putting on a uniform besides the Boston Red Sox. I saw him a few weeks ago. I know he wants to come back to the Red Sox. So I hope they get that done. I think it would be good for both sides, no doubt about it, especially that pitching staff."


If not the Red Sox, then who for Varitek? Thus far, there aren't any known offers on the table for Varitek. But part of the reason might be, according to the Boston Herald, that Varitek wanted to pursue every avenue with the Red Sox before exploring other opportunities.


By the end of Friday, both the Red Sox and Varitek should know if they are going to have to go in new directions.