Jason Varitek Re-Signs With Red Sox

Long-time Red Sox backstop Jason Varitek will once again be crouching behind the plate in Fenway Park this season, as he's finally re-upped with the only team he's ever known. Varitek had declined the Red Sox arbitration offer earlier this offseason, but he had seen very little interest from any other team.

About a week ago, the Red Sox set a January 30 deadline for a contract to be signed. Generally, Varitek's agent, Scott Boras, isn't one to cave like this, so the writing must have been on the wall.

As Boras found out, the market for a 37-year-old catcher who hit .220 while watching his defensive skills deteriorate is not a favorable one. The only thing that really stretched these negotiations out was a delusional feeling that Varitek would bring in a Jorge Posada-like haul in free agency from someone.

The Red Sox best-case scenario from their veteran catcher is to get 2007 numbers, but they really don't have any other options at this point. Josh Bard is a decent backup, but he can't be relied upon to carry the catching load. Plus, Varitek knows the pitching staff very well. At the absolute worst, this move keeps those arms in their comfort zone.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

1-30-2009 @ 6:14PM

TJ said...

This is supposed to be a clean area for people interested on baseball stories, not a forum for ignorant sophmoric posturing.

Good catcher, nice to have him back.

Keep it clean guys. Your not 12 any more

1-30-2009 @ 6:21PM

C/mon guys. A baseball forum is supposed to be for adults with intelligent dialogue about the season and trades etc. not a porn site for frustrated juveniles. Grow up.

1-30-2009 @ 6:39PM

pkingofhearts5 said...

I AGREE WITH TJ. PERSONAL OPINION IS THEY SHOULD IT SIGN SOME1 ELSE, AS A RED SOX FAN VARITEK SHOULD IT STAY OUT THIS SEASON IN FENWAY AND RED SOX UNIFORM...

1-30-2009 @ 6:56PM

shezowa said...

Welcome Back Jason!!!

1-31-2009 @ 12:37AM

murph said...

no one calls a better game. and someday this man will make a great manager. also i hope this teaches other players Borass will screw you if he thinks he can make a few more bucks for himself

1-31-2009 @ 10:04AM

lottalead said...

allright jason!!!!!!!!!!

1-31-2009 @ 10:18AM

papam11 said...

Now that Tek is back, is he going to come into spring training with a chip on his shoulder and upset the team chemistry. Unless Theo has something up his sleeve, I think it very wise to still go after one of the young catchers mentioned in trade talks or the Sox will find themselves without a catcher again next year.

2-01-2009 @ 11:37AM

modnroqr68 said...

Technically, he didn't re-sign with the ONLY team he's ever known. He was drafted by the Mariners in '94, but saw made his major league debut with the Sox in '97. Regardless, I'm glad that Tek is back --- he IS the heart and soul of the club, but his offensive skills are diminishing. I'm hopeful that Theo finds a quality young catcher to begin the transition to take over for Jason. Whoever gets that spot should be humble and appreciative, as he will gain a WEALTH of knowledge from one of the smartest --- and hardest-working --- catchers in MLB and Red Sox history. Welcome back, Captain!

2-01-2009 @ 12:07PM

gd said...

Great to have you back Cap.

2-01-2009 @ 1:50PM

TheHulk said...

You would think the Red Sox had Johnny Bench here..

Jason V is completely overrated.

Believe me Yankee and Ray fans are heppy to see him and his 180 batting avg back too.

2-02-2009 @ 1:11AM

Goldie said...

Hulk....You suck wads!!!

2-02-2009 @ 1:18AM

KaKa said...

Hulk you suck wads of Skankee scum!!!!!

2-02-2009 @ 11:48AM

Hey Kaka & Goldie great argument with logic like that now I know why the Red Sox signed a overrated crappy ballplayer like Jason V.

So when you can't win a argument you just shout out insults, I bet your a liberal too.

By the way I meet a lot of jerks like you insulting people on emails and phones but when you run into those same people you soil your pants...

2-02-2009 @ 6:51PM

You insult Jason V. twice with B.S. You are no differant than Kaka and Goldie you pea brained hypocrit, especially the part about you soiling your pants. Guys with Screen name of Hulk are anything but. Yanks will NOT win the W.S. this year, they will not make this year or next

2-02-2009 @ 12:03PM

Shawn said...

Glad you're back Hope you have a better season this year

2-02-2009 @ 8:20PM

Rays fans hate the Red Sox too.

Let me know when your in tampa gd.

Saying a player who hit 190 is overrated when he's payed 1 dollar over min is a fact jerky...

you red sox fans act just like the Yanks fans,

both teams bought their championships

WE EARNED OURS

2-02-2009 @ 11:26PM

No Hulk... I don't have anything against the Rays or their fans..(Except those cow bells are a little annoying).. The Rays were clearly the better team all season,and deserved to win the pennant in 08 just as the Red Sox were the best team in 07. As a rule the BEST teams generally win these things. And unfortunately for you the Skankees were NOWHERE NEAR the best team for several years. So good luck to your Skankees this year. And if not THERES ALWAYS NEXT YEAR!!!!!

2-03-2009 @ 7:36AM

Goldie are you a retard?

I am a Rays fan...

reread what I wrote...

I live in Tampa... and I meet both Yankee fans and Red Sox fans...And Yankee fans show way more class then red sox fans.

The Red Sox do everything the Yanks do... They are the same team (without the championships)

I speak for Rays Fans and we hate THE Sux way more then the Yanks..

ENJOY 3rd PLACE THIS YEAR...no manny no win haha