Who Will Be Boston's Catcher in 2009?

The minute Mark Teixeira signed on the dotted line with the Yankees, Boston's top offseason priority shifted from bolstering the middle of their order to finding a starting catcher. Teixeira was a unique commodity on the free agent market, but the Red Sox don't need a corner bat like they need a steady catcher.

Incumbent Jason Varitek is a free agent, and despite possible acrimony over the way agent Scott Boras handled the Teixeira sweepstakes, Boston is continuing to talk to him about a potential return, according to the Boston Globe. There has been very little interest in Varitek, the catching market -- whether in trade or free agency -- is weak and for the sake of continuity it may make sense for both sides to reunite.

On the other hand, the Red Sox seem to be sending out signals that they'll go in a different direction. The team is close to a non-guaranteed deal with Josh Bard. He had a short, unsuccessful stint in Boston in 2006 and an abysmal season last year, hitting .202 in 57 games. But he also posted the highest line drive rate of his career in 2008, and also the second lowest batting average on balls in play, suggesting he's a good bounceback candidate.

In the story about the Bard signing, Sean McAdam of the Boston Herald noted that team officials have "all but given up" on re-signing Varitek. That leaves the Red Sox still short a catcher. They could turn within the organization. Though Dusty Brown and George Kottaras don't profile as future stars, both had solid seasons at Triple-A this year.

They could also look to another veteran free agent to platoon with Bard or consummate one of the long-rumored trades with Arizona or Texas.

No matter what, the Sox have options and a real need to improve at backstop now that the offensive improvement they had hoped for at first and third base isn't going to materialize. All those factors point away from Varitek, who looks more likely to fall further off a cliff next year than to regain the form that made him one of the most valuable catchers in the majors for the better part of the last decade.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

12-30-2008 @ 10:30AM

Mike said...

Bringing back Varitek, at a big salary, is a big mistake. The Sox were "played" by Boras and Varitek last contract--and he sure wasn't worth his $10 mil a year. I've never been a big fan of Varitek. Boston sports media types fall all over themselves saying he's worth $10-12 mil a year, because of his "intangibles".
Intangibles my ***. As a Sox fan for nearly 60 years, I'm so sick and tired of watching "Tek" whiff with runners on base. It's this simple, folks. When a switch-hitter bats less than .250, then pick a freaking side and stay there. Maybe you'll get lucky!

12-30-2008 @ 6:53PM

Ed said...

Veritek is a weak catcher, his inability to throw out base stealers and his poor batting average, make him at best a sub-par catcher and poor person for the future.

Time to move on, Jason is over the hill and at best a second tier player.

12-30-2008 @ 6:48PM

pcat1173 said...

i wouldn't get my hopes up with the red sox right now; they're being outspent by the friggin' K.C. ROYALS!! seeing how fenway is banged out for the next decade, henry doesn't give a shit what he puts on the field, as long as it's inexpensive and the concessions are selling. losing out on teixeira over a mere 10 million is inexcusable when u are the 2nd biggest market in mlb. get used to it, fellow sox fans: it's only gonna get worse from here on out!

12-30-2008 @ 7:33PM

TheHulk said...

Veritek Blows, he's easy to replace, a Crap Bag like Mike Difelice would be a perfect fit....

12-30-2008 @ 9:22PM

Rob said...

Hey guys. How about a little respect for Varitek? What's wrong with all you "fans" jumping on him? He had a bad year. Did the divorce wear on him? He wouldn't be the first player that's happened to. This guy as the starting catcher on 2 World Champion teams. Don't forget or discount that. He's been the best team player Boston has seen in years and years. Look past the poor offensive numbers. He calls a great game and his teammates and pitchers love him. Show some respect you punks!

12-31-2008 @ 6:50AM

Gary said...

Tek, is a good catcher even if his bat is weak. As for throwing out runners most times it's the pitcher fault for not holding runners on. Bring him back. If the Sox get a big bat to fill the hole Manny left they will be fine. Pitching wins games along with a strong middle defense, we have that. Bring on the Yanks lets see were they end up in Oct. The Sox will be there will the Yanks ?

1-01-2009 @ 8:29AM

K Smith said...

I agree with you, Mike. Pick one side and stay that way. Tek couldn't hit a cow in the a$$ with a shovel from either side last year. Give him one more year to attone because the pitchers like him.

1-01-2009 @ 3:49PM

Rob....................."a bad year"? How about 4 bad years. Catcher on two world champions? Varitek just happened to play for a winner----and that's about as far as it goes. Any contributions he made were irrelevant.

1-01-2009 @ 9:01PM

jerseygirl666 said...

RED SOX SUCK!!!! GO YANKEES!!!!!!

1-06-2009 @ 12:01PM

boston said...

red sox suck , really. maybe you should look were the store bought yankee,s finished last year. dumb ass.

1-03-2009 @ 2:47AM

edd said...

gary i admire your dedication as a red sox fan but if the red sox in 2008 could only win 9 games out of 18 played with the yankees ,with the yankees having no hitting and no pitching,how are they going to do it this year,sorry but the partys over.