Earlier tonight, the Red Sox announced that Jason Varitek will serve as a special assistant to General Manager Ben Cherington. “Jason was one of the most respected players of his era and will be a key voice as we move forward,” said the GM. “He will be involved in a number of areas including Major League personnel decisions, evaluations, and mentorship and instruction of young players. We are fortunate to have him in this role.” The former catcher has long been rumored to be on the verge of a role with the club, but yesterday we learned that he would not be in the mix for the managerial job. Here's more from around baseball..
- Rockies manager Jim Tracy says that he wants to return in 2013 despite a difficult season in which the team is set to post its worst record in franchise history, writes Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post. The Rockies plan to discuss their managerial position but so far have made it sound as though Tracy is safe.
- Dan Haren is less-than-thrilled about a report earlier this week that indicated the Angels are leaning towards turning down options for him and Ervin Santana this offseason, writes Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLosAngeles.com. Haren says that he and his fellow pitcher are dialed in on the season at hand and are not giving any thought to their respective contract situations.
- Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic evaluates Trevor Cahill's performance with the Diamondbacks since being acquired from Oakland in December. While Cahill hasn't given the club everything all that they could have hoped for, the 24-year-old has still delivered a reasonably strong year.
Welcome back Tek!
Grooming him for his eventual position as manager? 😀
I have to think that Ben (and ownership) might have already at least floated the idea to V-Tek of him becoming manager next season with V-Tek declining but being open to this position instead..
Yes, great to see Tek back with the Sox!
Cash has to make a move for Dan.
Tracy’s job should be safe, it isn’t his fault that half his pitching staff was hurt this season, it also wasn’t his fault that the team traded away decent position players for a bunch of terrible arms. Hopefully Chacin will be healthy, JDLR will return to pre-TJ form, Pomeranz and Friedrich can take steps forward in their development and Nicasio can pitch a full season. It’s quite possible that without any changes to the roster that the Rockies starting rotation will be much improved next year.
That plus the 1.4 million they would have to eat to dump him will likely keep him around for 2013
Trevor Cahill’s ERA+ in 2012: 108.
Trevor Cahill’s career ERA+ before 2012: 106.
What exactly were the Dbacks hoping for?
his era+ in 2010 (138)
Perhaps Tek was hired to be a special asst.–perhaps he will take over as Interim Manager as early as today to avoid the hoopla of V’s last 6 days. The sooner V is away from the team the better. The O’s will be up for these games as the Angels and Ray’s are looking for those two playoff spots. This could be a Boston Massacre in Baltimore–I think the Ray’s come to town when the Sox leave.
I’d like to see the Dbacks get Haren back and trade Cahill if possible… I know, it won’t happen.
Cherington has hired his own coach, Jason Veritek.
I thought that was the manager’s job, to select his coaching staff.
Seems to me this is step one of a repeat of the same scenario as last year….. where the coaches were already on board when Bobby V. was hired to manage the team. Doesn’t this dunderhead general manager ever learn from his previous mistakes?
Maybe Benny wants to appoint himself as manager. Really! Not!
In all honesty, Mr. Henry, it is time for Ben to go!
Worst case scenario he goes from special assistant to manager which is nothing what like happened last year. You’re so bitter toward the Red Sox it’s unbelievable.
You are kidding, right?’
Veritek doesn’t know anything about being a manager, especially at the major league level.