Jason Varitek Rumors

Damon Talks About Future, Varitek

MONDAY: WEEI's Alex Speier talked to Damon. Damon's stance on the term of his next contract: "I would like to at least get two years, but we’ll see what happens. If I need to take a one with an option or a vesting option, then so be it." Damon also stirred the pot a bit in reference to Jason Varitek: "I couldn’t believe that they were letting him walk and try to find a team. That’s the difference between New York and Boston...If you’re a part of New York, they’re going to keep you there: Posada, Jeter, Mariano, it’s the...   Continue Reading

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Nationals Sign Josh Bard

10:04pm: Jack Etkin at Inside The Rockies has some details on the Bard signing. He writes that the Red Sox "decided to keep George Kottaras, 25, who was out of options" as a back up for Jason Varitek. Etkin continues: "By releasing Bard on Wednesday, the deadline for paying a player 30 days termination pay, the Red Sox owed him about $279,000. Had they waited one more day to release him, they would have owed Bard 45 days termination pay or about $418,000." 7:42pm: Chico Harlan of the Washington Post writes that Bard will join what Nationals GM Mike Rizzo...   Continue Reading

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Red Sox Catching: Bard, Montero, Kottaras

Tony Massarotti of the Boston Globe has a wrap-up of the Red Sox' catching situation heading into the beginning of the 2009 season. Even after signing Jason Varitek, the Red Sox were rumored to have been continuing their pursuit of a trade for a young catcher. In today's article, Massarotti writes that at the beginning of Diamondbacks camp, Miguel Montero was informed that "no deals were imminent." Instead, it appears the Red Sox will stick with Josh Bard for now. However, Massarotti also mentions another interesting in-house option for the Red Sox in George Kottaras. Massarotti summarizes Kottaras' situation: Kottaras...   Continue Reading

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Red Sox Rumors: Lugo, Bay, Varitek, Beckett

The latest on the Red Sox, courtesy of WEEI's Alex Speier. Julio Lugo says he's in the best shape of his career. The $9MM shortstop won't be happy if he's on the bench this year. Speier believes he'll ask for a trade if he doesn't win the competition with Jed Lowrie. Lugo was following the Tigers trade rumors earlier this winter. Jason Bay remains open to an extension, but admitted "it's not the end-all, be-all." Bay will be part of the 2009-10 free agent class if the Sox don't lock him up. According to the AP, catcher Jason Varitek spoke...   Continue Reading

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Odds And Ends: Griffey, Varitek, Giants

A few links for Saturday morning... Russell Branyan wants Ken Griffey Jr. to join him in Seattle according to this AP story found in the Globe and Mail. If Griffey ends up in Seattle, Cameron Smith of the Washington Post says it's nothing but a marketing ploy. Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times likes the depth the Bobby Abreu addition gives the Angels. Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle suggests the Giants could make a trade in Spring Training if teams are looking to dump salary. Brian Sabean says he's keeping his eye on teams who may need...   Continue Reading

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Odds And Ends: Anderson, Griffey, Varitek

Links for Saturday... According to Bill Dwyre of the LA Times Garret Anderson has no ill will towards the Angels. Steve Kelley of the Seattle Times thinks the Mariners need to sign Ken Griffey Jr. He adds that the Mariners may be "warming to the idea." The Kyodo News reports that the Blue Jays have finalized Ken Takahashi's contract. According to Amalie Benjamin of the Boston Globe, Jason Varitek passed his physical. Jay Jaffe, Kevin Goldstein and Christina Kahrl of BP fill in the remaining holes on National League teams. Buster Olney of ESPN.com writes that players should "go the...   Continue Reading

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Heyman On Andruw, Pedro, Crede, Grudz

The latest from SI.com's Jon Heyman... The Yankees offered a minor league deal to Andruw Jones, which he turned down. Other teams "thought to have interest": the Rangers, Phillies, Braves, and Mets. Heyman thinks Pedro Martinez makes a lot of sense for the Dodgers. However, Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times learned from Ned Colletti on January 6th that the Dodgers weren't among the teams pursuing Pedro. Jason Varitek's camp (ie, Scott Boras) apparently has no regrets about rejecting arbitration since it wouldn't have been a guaranteed contract. Chad Cordero's next showcase is scheduled for February 19th. Heyman has the...   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Wieters, Varitek, Ohman

Links for Tuesday... Chat today, 2pm CST. RotoAuthority explains why Matt Wieters is a good fantasy pick even if he doesn't debut with the Orioles til mid-May. Baseball America's Jim Callis has the updated '09 June draft order. Cristian Guzman was wise to sign a two-year, $16MM extension when he did, his agent tells MLB.com's Bill Ladson. An agreement to sell the Padres to Jeff Moorad could be done by mid-month, says Bill Center of the San Diego Union-Tribune. Jason Varitek doesn't need to worry about regaining Type A status, says Rob Bradford of WEEI. Nothing appears imminent with the...   Continue Reading

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Reactions To Jason Varitek Signing

Here are some reactions to the Jason Varitek signing. To recap, the Red Sox will pay him $5MM this year, and they'll have the option of bringing him back for the same price in 2010. If the Red Sox don't exercise their option, Varitek can exercise a $3MM player option with incentives. Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports understands how Varitek thought he had more value on the open market than he really did. ESPN.com's Rob Neyer says Varitek "gambled and lost," and the Red Sox did well. Tony Massarotti of the Boston Globe thinks the Red Sox did well to...   Continue Reading

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Jason Varitek, Red Sox Reach Agreement

1:28pm: Contract details from Massarotti: Varitek will earn $5MM in 2009, with the club holding a $5MM option for 2010. If the Red Sox do not pick up that option, Varitek has the choice of remaining with the club on a $3MM deal. In '10, he can earn another $2MM in incentives based on playing time, beginning at 80 games started. The incentives apply to the player option only. The Boston Herald breaks down the 2010 bonuses. ESPN's Jayson Stark and Jerry Crasnick add: Had he declined or not responded, the team was gearing up to trade for another catcher....   Continue Reading

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