Odds and Ends: Dice-K, Varitek, Rolen

I really hope Tek comes back to Boston as a back up. Hopefully to train a new youngster, like Teagarden or Salty in the arts of game calling.

Does anyone know why the Upton deal didn't go through? I thought I heard a while back that the Upton brothers simply want to reach FA.

being a backup wouldnt work for varitek. the backup for our team has to catch the knuckleball for wakefield, varitek has issues with that like many other catchers in the game. the only way he could be a backup catcher is if the sox decline the "Wakefield Option" and we dont need a catcher to catch a knuckler, but since Tims numbers were pretty solid for most of the year, it would be unwise to not spend the pennies it would cost to bring him back. I say sign Tek to a 1 year deal with a team option, trade for saltalmacchia and hope varitek can somehow refind alittle bit of his swing

if tek gets a 2-3 year 8-10 mil per deal from the red sox, someone should get fired for it...

04Forever: If its between Varitek and Wakefield, I take Wakefield. Hands down.

@ start_wearing_purple-
The Uptons are repped by larry reynolds. Both reynolds and bj and justin want the big money that they will be worth. one will be the 2nd 200 mil player.

Unless the Upton's take some big,big strides neither will sniff 200mill. I could see more like Miguel Cabrera type contract.

"either his age caught up with him, or maybe his off-field problems (bad divorce) had something to do with it."

I sincerely doubt his divorce has much of anything to do with it. Despite popular opinion, Varitek has never really burned it up offensively. He used to be above average for a catcher, but he's only had two really good seasons at the plate ever. His age is definitely showing, though. As merely average as he's generally been, he's been steadily tailing off since 2006.

"I see Varitek being re-signed simply because the only person who we know is available who's better is Pudge."

Better is an entirely subjective term. He's unequivocally better at the plate, yes, but Pudge is allegedly widely known for being problematic off the field and is not nearly the game caller Varitek is. I'd sooner take an automatic out three out of four trips through the lineup than a guy who's just not as good at handling a pitching staff. Pitching wins ballgames, mashing does not.

What needs to be done for the Red Sox, for now, is to give Varitek a respectable, but obviously slimmer contract in the two year range. They need to follow that up by getting him to finally give up this switch hitting BS. His splits have always favored him from the right side and quite often dramatically. He's got a history of decent plate discipline otherwise (His OBP from even the left side is usually close to .100 higher than his BA), but he just does not hit much of anything but home runs.

"his (Upton) defense in center is solid"

That's putting it rather generously. Upton makes me think of Jeter in the outfield. He can turn a webgem and make any routine play look dazzling, but the guy takes terrible routes and is about as adept at handling walls as Bobby Abreu. Perfect example would be that one play in game 5 of the ALCS. Very routine slicing flyball that pretty much any above average outfielder would make a play on. He drifts back slowly and the thing just sailed right across his glove.

The chances of Upton pulling anything even approaching $200 million are pretty laughable. The dude is merely an above average player. He's turned it on for the playoffs, but he's entirely alright at best in the regular season. He's not a power threat, he strikes out significantly more often than he walks and his batting average is merely above average.