Will we be seeing this again in 2009? Or will Jason Varitek be moving on?
With the end of the World Series finally upon us, it now starts the period of time where players can file for free agency. The Boston Red Sox have 8 players who can file for free agency and today 3 of them have done so.
Jason Varitek, Alex Cora and David Ross all filed for free agency today. The Red Sox now have 15 days to exclusively negotiate with the trio. If they don’t come to an agreement in the 15 days, the Red Sox lose the exclusive right and they are all free negotiate with the other teams.
Sean Casey, Mark Kotsay, Paul Byrd, Curt Schilling and Mike Timlin are the remaining players from the Red Sox who can file for free agency. I would expect all of them to do so in the coming days. Schilling and Timlin are both undecided as to their plans for 2009.
Cora and Casey have stated a desire to return to the Red Sox in 2009 while it’s unlikely the Red Sox will re-sign Kotsay, Byrd, Schilling and Timlin.
With the market thin at catcher and the Red Sox not really having any MLB ready options at catcher, they may be forced to re-sign Varitek and hope that the catchers in the minor leagues develop some more next year. The Red Sox could also make a trade for a catcher if Varitek chooses not to come back to Boston.
Yes I know Varitek is 36 years old but what choice do the Red Sox really have here. I’m expecting Scott Boras to ask for a 4 year deal while the Red Sox offer 2 years.
I think in the end Varitek ends up back with the Red Sox on a 2-year $24 million deal with an option for a 3rd year.
While his bat leaves something to be desired, the job he does behind the plate is nothing short of spectacular.
And to me, the Red Sox wouldn’t be the Red Sox without the Captain behind the plate.
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