Jason Varitek Rumors

Varitek Exercises Player Option

3:47pm: Varitek exercised his option to return to the Red Sox, writes Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe. 9:36am: Jason Varitek must decide on his $3MM option by midnight tonight, according to Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald. Varitek must choose between his Red Sox ties and more playing time (and perhaps less money) elsewhere. We'll keep you updated.   Continue Reading

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Mets Notes: Holliday, Barajas, Pineiro

Lots of newsbits swirling about the Big Apple's non-World Series winners... Joel Sherman of the New York Post tweets that the Mets will meet with Scott Boras tonight to at least get an idea of what it will take to sign Matt Holliday. As reported earlier today, the Mets weren't interested in Jason Varitek but were considering Bengie Molina at catcher. Sherman (also via Twitter) added Rod Barajas and Chris Snyder to the New York catching "wish list." SI's Jon Heyman (via Twitter) reports the Mets are interested in Joel Pineiro, but not at his reported demand of a three-year/$30MM...   Continue Reading

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Mets Won't Pursue Varitek

The Mets won't pursue Jason Varitek if he turns down his player option and becomes a free agent, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post. Two Mets officials tell Sherman that the club wants a catcher who can catch more than 100 games. They had interest in the veteran catcher last offseason, but now the Mets covet more durable catchers - Bengie Molina may be a consideration. Molina has caught more games than Varitek over the course of the last three seasons, but Varitek hasn't caught fewer than 100 games since 2001, so it's surprising to see a...   Continue Reading

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Varitek To Discuss Player Option

3:37pm: Jon Heyman of SI.com reports that Varitek will discuss his option with agent Scott Boras today. TUESDAY, 12:14pm: We haven't heard the official word on Varitek's decision, but the news could still come later today. To clear up any confusion, MLBTR's story yesterday that Varitek had exercised his option was a misinterpretation of Adam Hirshfield's NESN.com report. There has been no official report that Varitek will return to Boston. MONDAY, 9:43pm: Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe writes on his Twitter feed, "Contrary to a report, Theo Epstein just said that Jason Varitek has not yet picked up his...   Continue Reading

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Odds & Ends: Smoltz, Holliday, Varitek, Tejada

Let's round up a few more links in a busy day of rumors.... John Smoltz wants to pitch next year, according to this tweet from ESPN.com's Peter Gammons. The Mets will ask the Blue Jays about the price for Roy Halladay, as they did this summer, according to Newsday's Ken Davidoff. As Chad Jennings of the Journal News reports, Andy Pettitte isn't likely to return to the Astros. We knew Matt Capps could be a trade chip for the Pittsburgh Pirates this offseason. According to Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Pirates offered Capps to the Milwaukee Brewers for...   Continue Reading

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Cafardo on Gonzalez, Martinez, Webb, Lackey

In his column today, the Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo brings us a great deal of tidbits from around the majors: Former Toronto GM J.P. Ricciardi and ex-Padres GM Kevin Towers will "likely surface somewhere soon." Cafardo wonders aloud if new Padres GM Jed Hoyer could work out a deal with his former club and send Adrian Gonzalez to Boston. One AL GM identified Gonzalez and Heath Bell as major chips that could be moved as part of a rebuilding effort. Hoyer is obviously familiar with Boston's assets, but Theo Epstein might be reluctant to part with Casey Kelly, Clay Buchholz...   Continue Reading

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Odds & Ends: Jaramillo, Varitek, D'Backs

Links for Wednesday... Longtime Rangers hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo turned down a one-year offer from the team and will explore free agency, according to Evan Grant. Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune thinks Jaramillo would be a perfect addition to the Cubs. According to Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star, the Royals re-signed three players eligible for minor league free agency: Scott Thorman, Kelvin Villa, and Carlos Rivas. Dave Cameron of FanGraphs says this year's free agent class is pretty darn interesting, even if it lacks top-level talent. Sean McAdam of the Boston Herald considers free agent alternatives should...   Continue Reading

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Odds & Ends: Yankees, Varitek, Sheffield

A few links to browse while we watch to see if the Phillies can finish off the last of the Division Series.... Benjamin Kabak of River Ave. Blues wonders how Johnny Damon's recent slide and Hideki Matsui's hot streak will affect the New York Yankees' decisions this winter. Josh Beckett wants Jason Varitek back in Boston in 2010, according to Mike Petraglia of WEEI.com. MLB.com's Kelly Thesier writes that Joe Mauer has spoken to agent Ron Shapiro about his contract status, but that there haven't been any "serious discussions" yet. Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald reports that Gary Sheffield...   Continue Reading

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Odds & Ends: Kikuchi, Dye, Varitek

Links for Monday... Yakyu Baka translated a recent Yusei Kikuchi press conference. Kikuchi has yet to decide between the U.S. and Japan. The Mets and Tigers attended the conference. Baseball America's Jim Callis has the 2010 draft order, and he also explains which picks are protected from Type A free agent signings. Jermaine Dye talking to Scot Gregor of the Daily Herald on possibly finishing his White Sox career: "I don't really have a feeling." Talking to WEEI's Alex Speier, Jason Varitek would not address next season (he has a $5MM team option and $3MM player option). Manager Terry Francona...   Continue Reading

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Odds & Ends: Vazquez, Millwood, Red Sox

Some more links to check out as you wait for America's other pastime to kick off it's season... Jeff Schultz of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution writes that the Braves may be forced to trade Javier Vazquez this offseason because it might not make sense financially to keep him and Tim Hudson around next year. T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports that the Rangers will not sit starter Kevin Millwood just to keep his 2010 option from vesting. Texas GM Jon Daniels said "We don't let clauses in contracts determine who is in the starting lineup or in the rotation." Millwood needs to...   Continue Reading

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