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Jason Varitek has accepted Boston’s contract for one season at $5M, with a club option for $5M or $3M player option for 2010. There are $2M of additional incentive clauses for 2010.
Well, it looks like we’ll know who will be our starting catcher in 2009 by tomorrow. The deadline is tomorrow morning for Tek to accept or reject the Sox’ one-year, $5M offer with a $5M team option or $3M player option for 2010. It looks like a 50/50 chance right now, with the retirement option still out there. Michael Silverman doesn’t think we need to panic even if he opts not to sign.
Well, it seems that all the posturing is over. Agent Scott Boras hasn’t been able to produce another bidder, so Jason Varitek can either come back to Boston or enjoy the MLB Network this year. The Sox extended an official offer to the Captain recently, and may have added a second year as an option or a guarantee. Like I said, he will end up back here. That means no trade for Jarrod Saltalamacchia until Jon Daniels backs down off of Clay Buchholz.
In case you didn’t hear this yet, Dodgers manager Joe Torre has released some juicy (as in not so flattering) details about the New York Yankees organization and clubhouse. Looks like that tearful farewell with all the drama was not as bittersweet as we were all led to believe.
I was shocked to hear about Torre would bad-mouth his old organization, even though it has been a year. However, the stuff about A-Rod and Brian Cashman fits pretty well with what I suspected about them. What a shame that those kind of guys are given that much talent and opportunity.
Original articles at the NY Daily News and the NY Post.
Two names were left on the salary arbitration docket, and Theo Epstein settled both of them today. Jonathan Papelbon signed a one-year, $6.25M deal, while Javier Lopez will get $1.35M for 2009. It was really just a matter of time, as the Red Sox have yet to go to arbitration with a player under Epstein’s tenure as GM.
Pitcher David Pauley, who is out of minor league options and was designated for assignment this week, has been traded to the Baltimore Orioles for right-handed reliever Randor Bierd. Pauley, who was acquired from the Padres’ system, was a nice depth guy for the rotation, but another guy that the Red Sox would not commit any real playing time to. Best of luck to you, David.
MLB.com was the first to report that the Red Sox have reached an agreement on a four-year contract extension with first baseman Kevin Youkilis. The deal follows on the heels of a contract extension for Dustin Pedroia. Ideally, you don’t sign him after a breakout year, but after spending so much time and effort in trying to land Mark Teixeira, I think it was important for the Sox brass to make sure Youk is satisfied.
The Red Sox want to approach Jason Bay about a contract extension, but only after all the other big free agent outfielders sign this year. The strategy is clear; with free agent salaries on the decline, it makes sense for Theo Epstein to wait and watch players like Bobby Abreu sign for just $12M/season or so, then use that leverage to sign Bay to a below-market deal.
The Texas Rangers managed to anger their 5-time All-Star shortstop Michael Young by calling him up and telling him rather plainly that he would be moved to third base so that young Elvis Andrus would have a chance to prove himself in 2009. Is Jon Daniels crazy? You don’t tell an established player something like that, you ask very politely. Young is said to be livid with the team, and has demanded a trade, though Daniels is trying to downplay that word “demand”. Hmm, a shortstop who can hit? And the Rangers have to unload him? This situation has the word bargain all over it; could Young be a fit for the Red Sox?
