When the Boston Red Sox signed Kelly Shoppach during the offseason, the writing was on the wall for Jason Varitek. Plus with Ryan Lavarnway in the fold, there wasn’t any room for the Red Sox captain.
We had heard in the past that the Red Sox wanted to keep Varitek in the organization in some capacity, whether it be as a coach, front office type or maybe something in the baseball operations department.
But a report by Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com indicates that the Red Sox have invited Varitek to spring training as a non-roster invitee.
Respected longtime Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek has been invited by the team to come to camp as a non-roster player with only an outside chance to make the team, and Varitek seems likely to decide between accepting that invitation or retiring, people familiar with his situation said.
However, that report doesn’t seem to be accurate.
Contrary to a CBSSports.com report, the Red Sox haven’t made a formal minor-league contract offer to Varitek. According to a major-league source, the club is “open to discussion” of having Varitek attend spring training as a non-roster invitee, but even then, his chances of making the team would be slim. In essence, Varitek would serve as an insurance policy in the event of injuries to Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Shoppach or, in all likelihood, top prospect Ryan Lavarnway, while still showcasing himself for other teams.
If Varitek doesn’t receive a better offer, or if he decides against playing for another team after 15 seasons with the Red Sox, the source said a job offer to stay in the organization would be a “definite.”
Personally, I think it’s time for Tek to hang them up if he can’t latch on with another team.
For one, it does surprise me that a team with a young catcher that starts doesn’t want him to be a backup and help mentor. Then again, Varitek would have to want to do that.
But as the Red Sox captain, from everything we’ve heard or read, he didn’t do much in the way of helping out in the clubhouse during all the turmoil of September. He can’t play every day anymore. He only really played last year when Josh Beckett was pitching.
It would be great to see him stay with the organization. He’s done a lot of good things here and we can’t let one month dictate his 15 seasons with the Red Sox.
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