The Red Sox have agreed to a three-year contract extension with catching instructor/game-planning coordinator Jason Varitek, his wife Catherine announced this morning (Twitter link). Alex Speier of the Boston Globe reports that Varitek will return in the same capacity for 2023; more broadly, Speier notes the entire coaching staff is expected back next season.
That’s not especially surprising, as manager Alex Cora announced immediately after the season ended he hoped to retain his staff. It seemed the biggest question was whether bench coach Will Venable might depart for greener pastures. Venable has long been viewed as a viable managerial candidate, and he indeed drew some attention for the Royals job that eventually went to former Rays bench coach Matt Quatraro. With all the managerial vacancies now filled and no anticipated further turnover this offseason — Astros skipper Dusty Baker is on an expiring contract but expected to re-sign with Houston — Venable seems headed for a third season as bench coach.
Varitek, a 15-year MLB veteran who spent his entire big league career in Boston, was a three-time All-Star during his playing days. He retired after the 2011 campaign but has remained in the organization in various non-playing capacities. That includes his time on the coaching staff as game planning coordinator, which he first assumed over the 2020-21 offseason.
It’ll be Cora’s third consecutive season managing in Boston and his fifth overall. Aside from Venable, his top returning staffers will be second-year hitting coach Peter Fatse and fourth-year pitching coach Dave Bush.
Dave Bush should have been let go the day after the season ended.
And take Fatse with him.
Their love of Cora rivals the Yankees infatuation with Boone.
Cora had instant success and communicates well with the Latin players. Too bad he’s horrendous handling a pitching staff. Combine that lack of ability with Bloom’s failure to provide him with an overall good staff and the results speak for themselves. 2021 “success” will set the Sox back even further. Jason V will probably have the inside track to replace him when the team moves on.
I wouldn’t mind Varitek taking over as manager, or behind the plate.
He only communicates well electronically and with garbage cans
dewey – Well said, I hope Tek becoming manager happens sooner rather than later.
The communicating shouldn’t be a factor, there are plenty of staff members who can translate. And we haven’t forgotten how Cora divided the clubhouse in 2019 by influencing just the Latino players to not visit the White House. Managers are supposed to bring the team together, not divide them.
Cora’s successor (may that day soon arrive).
Fix the team and set him up for success first.
Varitek a future manager? It’s a strong possibility and it seems like he sure likes being in Boston. We will see how this plays out.
I didn’t realize he didn’t arrive in the majors until after his trade to Boston. I always assumed he at least had a few games under his belt before arriving.
Same.
Traded along with Derek Lowe for Heathcliff Slocumb, who at the time was a good reliever, but basically started trending downhill almost immediately. Red Sox GM Dan Duquette probably should have a statue out in front of Fenway for that deal as well as trading for Pedro Martinez.
I think Posada could take the same path as Veritek: bench coach, and if successful, transition to manager.
Yeah if Hal would wake up to the glaring failings of Cashman and Boone. Frankly I don’t see that happening anytime soon. I wouldn’t be surprised if Cashman lasts as long as Hal.
We know a new Cashman is coming any day now.
Clip, they’d have to change their approach to their managers. Posada would be more of a red-ass type of manager, banging heads at times. We’ll know Cashman is shifting directions once he moves on from Boone. Sadly, not happening this season.
^contract
Posada as manager would show his displeasure with players by spitting on them.
Or peeing on their hands during spring training…
That trade is probably the greatest fleecing job ever pulled off by a Red Sox GM (the Pedro Martinez trade a very close second though both trades were made under completely different circumstances). As far as 1990’s Red Sox transactions go it almost makes up for trading Jeff Bagwell for Larry Anderson and the $8.7 million dollars Jack Clark stole from them
Pablo Sandoval has to be the biggest theft in terms money for the effort ($95,000,000). He literally ate his way out of Boston. Sale has produced 48 innings for $87,000,000 over the last three years, which has definitely not been worth the price per inning. Carl Crawford and his $143,000,000 was bad, but not as bad as it could have been if not for the Dodgers…..
Long term contracts work out sometime (like JD Martinez), but more often anything over 5 years usually is lacking in the later years.
True, but i was specifically referencing 90’s Sox transactions
And for signing Manny Ramirez.
And almost signing Bermie Williams.
YBC – Snagging Wake off the scrap heap also was huge.
And sometimes it’s the things he DIDN’T do that were just as brilliant, such as letting Mo walk despite the inevitable backlash from fans and media.
Otto – Agreed, the Manny contract turned out to be one of the best 8-year investments in MLB history … with a little help from some supplements, of course.
With Varitek coaching Sox are odds on fav’s fir 2023 World Series championship.
No, they’re actually not.
Well the Sox are done now for this off-season. Way to get all your signings done early.