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« Braves Decline To Offer Arb To Smoltz | Main | Royals Offer Arb To Grudzielanek »
Red Sox Offer Arb To Varitek, Byrd
According to WEEI's Alex Speier, the Red Sox offered arbitration to Jason Varitek (Type A) and Paul Byrd (Type B). They were both borderline cases, and it seems that either player could go either way on deciding whether to accept. Amalie Benjamin, though, finds both unlikely to accept. What do you think - can Varitek and Byrd find multiyear deals elsewhere?
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I'd rather Byrd sign than Varitek
Posted by: Kramerica Industries | December 01, 2008 at 08:23 PM
Wow, this post has nothing to do with the Yankees, yet you're tiny brain continually thinks of them - just a Red Sox fan obsessed with the Yankees. It was the right move not to offer Abreu arbitration, if he accepts it, there is a bad log jam in the OF.
Both will probably decline - Byrd probably wants a guaranteed starter spot which he may not get in the Sox rotation, and Tek has Boras as his agent. Pretty simple.
Posted by: B3NG4L | December 01, 2008 at 08:25 PM
Man oh Man.. Paul byrd as the #5 guy now.. So much for Masterson, or Bucholz in the rotation if/when Byrd probably accepts arbitration now.
Posted by: johns | December 01, 2008 at 08:29 PM
I am glad they offered to Byrd. Smart move in my opinion. Too many teams are taking the easy road out and playing scared on the arbitration front.
Posted by: walkoffblast | December 01, 2008 at 08:30 PM
Bird did a good job as a fifth starter. I wouldn't mind having him pitch another year if it comes to that.
Posted by: SierraM | December 01, 2008 at 08:33 PM
"yet you're tiny brain"
This is ironic.
Posted by: DunkinDonuts | December 01, 2008 at 08:33 PM
If Littlefield was still the Pirates GM, he'd sign Byrd for 3/30 and the Red Sox would get a draft pick. Unless Ed Wade would beat him to the punch.
Posted by: bigpat | December 01, 2008 at 08:46 PM
From the Red Sox point of view it makes sense. If Byrd declines they make out on the draft pick end of things but if he accepts they get a long man for their bullpen and they get some security with a guy who can spot start or step in if Buchholz struggles again.
smart move for the Sox because I really don't see a downside eitherway for them here.
Big question for Byrd is whether or not he wants the money more then he wants a starting job. At this stage of his career I am guessing he opts for the money and accepts arbitration.
Posted by: KangarooBoxer26 | December 01, 2008 at 08:53 PM
id be fine with Byrd in the 5th spot, long term reliever spot. although i think we can do better, he is a great insurance policy. Varitek being offered makes to much sense, and it helps in out negotiations with him because now it makes it harder for him to talk years with another team if they have to give up type a prospects. good moves by theo, exactly what he should have done
Posted by: 04Forever | December 01, 2008 at 08:54 PM
Varitek is washed up. I doubt any team would be willing to give up a draft pick just to sign him...
Posted by: MikeClarke | December 01, 2008 at 09:09 PM
Varitek hits like .210 and hes what like 36? No smart team would give up their 1st rd pick for a washed up catcher who cant hit.
Posted by: jdodgers27 | December 01, 2008 at 09:25 PM
"If Littlefield was still the Pirates GM, he'd sign Byrd for 3/30 and the Red Sox would get a draft pick. Unless Ed Wade would beat him to the punch."
Not true, any team that picks inside the top 15 is protected. Not even Littlefield could give it away although I am sure he would try.
Posted by: BucSox | December 01, 2008 at 09:33 PM
BucSox,
Byrd is a type B, so the pick wouldn't be coming from the Pirates, it would be a sandwich pick. Just by any team signing Byrd the Sox would get the pick. And for type A's if the team has a protected first round pick then they lose their second round pick.
Posted by: Rays | December 01, 2008 at 09:45 PM
The best contract the Sox have done this year is Theo's. Good move here...Byrd gives insurance which, as we found out last season, you always need and it assures we get something for Tek if he leaves. If Tek accepts we get the master behind the dish and he can help bring a youngster up to speed. Win Win.
Posted by: BosoxRule08 | December 01, 2008 at 10:03 PM
No complaints here. Byrd probably doesn't accept so we get the sandwich pick. If he does we get insurance. I think the draft pick would be better for the sox in the long run. Byrd really isn't the ideal guy out of the bullpen. He gives up a lot of HRs. Not a problem in the first couple of innings but not what you want to see in the 6th or 7th. Tek was a no brainer. Theo has to get Tek back any way possible. (short of giving him too much money). The Sox need Tek to bring along a new young catcher and the young pitchers we have coming up. Not to mention, thinking long term, is there anyone in recent memory better suited for a bench coach job? If Tek ends his career in Boston he will be much more inclined to stay around the organization then if he feels like the Sox didn't give him what he feels like he deserved. I like both moves but I think they both decline. Byrd probably moves on and Theo finds a way to bring Tek back for two years with an option for a third.
Posted by: evilsauron2 | December 01, 2008 at 11:13 PM
"Varitek hits like .210 and hes what like 36? No smart team would give up their 1st rd pick for a washed up catcher who cant hit. "
Posted by: jdodgers27 | December 01, 2008 at 09:25 PM
Jdodgers27,
Thats kind of the point of offering him arbitration. Now the Sox hold virtually all the cards in negotiating with Varitek for a short term deal.
Had the Sox declined to offer arbitration to Tek, other teams might have found him more appealing since they wouldn't have to give up the draft picks. Now that other teams do have to give up draft picks, you are correct that no team is likely to consider Tek.
Thus....hopefully you see how this is the smart move for the Red Sox; who at this moment do not have a catcher for next season but at least now have the upper hand in negotiations by increasing his cost to other teams but not to their own.
Posted by: KangarooBoxer26 | December 02, 2008 at 07:02 AM
Paul Byrd has been rumored to be returning to Cleveland. His family really liked living in the area and he feels they're close to being an elite team after an off year.
Posted by: BlueRauchmann | December 08, 2008 at 12:53 PM