Boras Won’t Make First Move For Varitek Extension
Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe quotes Scott Boras as saying that the Red Sox would have to come to him about an extension for Jason Varitek. Boras and Varitek are open to a deal, but I guess they don’t want to sound desperate and give up their leverage.
Tek turns 36 in April; the Red Sox are going to want to minimize their risk. They could roll the dice in hopes of signing him after the season, as they did with Mike Lowell and Curt Schilling. It can be tough to measure the value of a catcher, but Baseball Prospectus has Varitek worth $4.6MM in ’09 and dropping off significantly after that.
Perrotto’s Latest: Sabathia, Varitek, Crede, Villone
John Perrotto of Baseball Prospectus checks in with his usual Sunday column. He’s got some new hot stove material to consider.
- Perrotto says the Indians are holding firm at an offer of four years plus an option for C.C. Sabathia. As of a week ago, the Indians were said to have an offer on the table for him. I suggested that the Tribe might top out around four years, $72MM plus an option for 2013.
- Perrotto writes that "Boston is expected to sign catcher Jason Varitek to a two-year extension worth around $20 million." Varitek could retire after that.
- Perrotto suggests that Joe Crede is on the Giants’ radar if they don’t re-sign Pedro Feliz (hat tip South Side Sox). Crede seems like he’ll be involved in one of those late Spring Training deals, given the need to prove his health.
- The Yankees, Mets, and Pirates are interested in free agent lefty reliever Ron Villone.
Odds and Ends: Phelps, Mirabelli, Varitek
Random rumors and links for your perusal…
- The Cardinals inked Josh Phelps to a minor league deal that could be worth up to $1MM. I always liked Phelps; he’s a more than capable bench guy.
- The Red Sox bit the bullet and brought Doug Mirabelli back for another round. Tony Massarotti notes that the Red Sox may sign Jason Varitek to an extension this spring worth upward of $10MM annually. I still like the idea of going after Kenji Johjima next winter.
- RotoAuthority ranks the shortstops for fantasy leagues, hot off the press.
Notes From Hot Stove, Cool Music: Cashman, Santana, Varitek
A few interesting tidbits came about via the Hot Stove, Cool Music charitable event on Saturday. The Boston Herald’s Rob Bradford has the details.
- Brian Cashman admitted that he lost some power when the Hank and Hal regime took over. He no longer has full authority to run everything, a sticking point when he signed on several years ago. It would not be shocking to see Cashman move on when his term ends after the 2008 season. He’s finishing up a three-year, $5.4MM deal.
- For what it’s worth, Theo Epstein seemed to indicate that the dragging Johan Santana talks are not holding up other moves for the Red Sox. But really it’s hard to believe that Coco Crisp‘s situation hasn’t been delayed. Boston already lost the White Sox as a suitor, most likely.
- During Spring Training, Scott Boras plans to begin contract extension talks with the Red Sox for Jason Varitek. Here’s a look at other free agent backstops the Sox could consider after the ’08 season. Kenji Johjima could be an interesting signing.
Red Sox Want To Extend Varitek
According to Sean McAdam, the Red Sox want to discuss extended Jason Varitek‘s contract before Spring Training. Tek’s 4/40 deal was labeled a rare loyalty/fan-influenced move by the Red Sox, but it has turned out OK. I’m guessing they’d tack on another two years and $12-14MM.