Things have been relatively quiet lately on news coming out of Beantown involving the Boston Red Sox. In today’s Boston Herald, Rob Bradford brings up something very interesting about the end of the 2008 season.
Why is he looking ahead? Well, the Red Sox will have some big questions to answer. Jason Varitek will be a free agent at the end of the year, Curt Schilling will be retiring and Manny Ramirez could be a free agent if the Red Sox decide not to exercise their $20 million option.
Let’s start with Ramirez’ sudden love for life with the Red Sox, which was on display for at least a few to see immediately following his recent Duck Boat ride. Who would have envisioned the slugger finishing up his latest championship parade, pointing to the retired Sox numbers along the outside of Fenway Park wall and making it clear that he not only wanted to retire a Red Sox, but hoped to have his own number immortalized at Fenway.
If Manny puts up good numbers next year and given who could be on the free agent market at the end of 2008, I definitely think the Red Sox will pickup the option. As far as Varitek goes, since they really have no one who is ready to handle the day-to-day duties behind the plate for the Sox, I could see the Red Sox offering him a 2-year deal. They don’t like to give long-term contracts to older veterans as we know, but after all he is the “Captain” of the Red Sox and it just wouldn’t be the same without him behind the plate.
If the Red Sox were to make a deal with the Twins for Santana, Schilling’s potential replacement could be part of the trade depending on the proposal the Twins were to accept. Either way, the Red Sox will still be in good shape due to the fact that Theo Epstein and company have put together a strong farm system.
In case you were wondering, Kevin Youkilis has already grown back the goatee as evidenced by this picture.
No bluffing on this deal [Boston Herald]
Perry cuts to the chase [Boston Globe]
