Red Sox Re-Sign Varitek Finally
The Boston Red Sox and Jason Varitek have finally come to terms on a deal that will keep Varitek in a Red Sox uniform for at least 1 year possibly 2.
Varitek, who turns 37 on April 11, will earn $5 million in 2009, with the club holding a $5 million option for 2010. If the Red Sox do not pick up that option, Varitek has the choice of remaining with the club on a $3 million deal. In ’10, he can earn another $2 million in incentives based on playing time, beginning at 80 games started.
The incentives apply to the player option only.
It’s such a great relief to see that this is all over. Now both sides can move forward.
It will be interesting to see though if the Red Sox still decide to pursue a trade for either Miguel Montero or Jarrod Saltalamacchia as they really don’t have a catcher of the future right now.
Varitek, Sox agree to deal [Extra Bases]
Update 3:55 PM: Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald has the details on the performance bonuses for 2010.
Here’s how Varitek’s bonuses in 2010 break down — he’ll receive $400,000 each for starts 80, 90, 100, 110, and 120, for a maximum of $2 million.
Paw Prints – The Daily Roundup – 1/30
Can we please do something with whomever is doing the scheduling for the UConn Huskies men’s and women’s basketball teams. Once again the fans are forced to choose although this time we’ll be able to watch a half of the women’s game against Georgetown on Saturday that starts at 3 PM. The men tip-off at 4 PM against Providence with a chance to take the No. 1 spot in the land with a win. I guess the DVR is always an option.
Matt Stout of the Norwich Bulletin, Mike Anthony of the Hartford Courant, Neill Ostrout of the Connecticut Post and David Borges of the New Haven Register all have notes on the UConn men’s basketball team and/or the Big East men’s coaches conference call.
Where have you gone Mr. Robinson? [New Haven Register]
The UConn men are focused on beating Providence and not the No. 1 ranking [Hartford Courant]
Providence doesn’t mind playing the Huskies in Connecticut [Connecticut Post]
Providence stands between UConn and the No. 1 ranking [Waterbury Republican-American]
Kemba Walker sat out yesterday’s practice with an ankle injury [New London Day]
Jeff Adrien has helped the Huskies rise to the occasion this season [The Villanovan]
Providence has dominated the Huskies as of late [The Daily Campus]
Jim Fuller of the New Haven Register and Rich Elliot of the Connecticut Post have some notes on the UConn women’s basketball team.
Kaili McLaren says she’s doing just fine [Hartford Courant]
Lorin Dixon got a vote of confidence from Renee Montgomery after practice yesterday [Connecticut Post]
Here’s a preview of Saturday’s matchup against Georgetown [Hartford Courant]
Geno Auriemma will be attending the memorial service for Kay Yow on Friday. [Waterbury Republican-American]
Kaili McLaren has gotten some much needed rest [The News-Times]
Contrary to popular belief, Kaili McLaren isn’t in Geno’s doghouse [Waterbury Republican-American]
Desmond Conner says the UConn football coaching staff wanted to upgrade at wide receiver and has done that with 5 recruits. [Hartford Courant]
Brian Bennett takes a look back at the All-Big East team and what they were ranked as recruits. [ESPN.com]
Rob Lunn has yesterday’s feel good moment or this week’s sign of the apocalypse [Thoughts From a Fat White Guy]
The UConn women’s hockey team will play Providence in a home-and-home series this Saturday and Sunday [UConnHuskies.com]
The UConn men’s hockey team returns home for 2 games against Holy Cross tonight and tomorrow [The Daily Campus]
Celtics Can Lucky
“Lucky” Not So Lucky: The Boston Celtics have fired their mascot “Lucky” aka Damon Blust. “Damon Blust who played the role of “Lucky” the Celtics mascot is no longer employed by the team. We appreciate his many efforts in entertaining Celtics fans as well as his work in the community while a member of the Celtics organization.” Lucky had recently appeared on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien“. [Inside Track]
Matt Light, Ray Lewis & Justin Tuck SoBe Lifewater Super Bowl Ad
Here is the SoBe Lifewater ad that will air during the Super Bowl on Sunday featuring Matt Light of the New England Patriots, Ray Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens and Justin Tuck of the New York Giants.
to Awful Announcing.
2009 NBA All-Star Game Rosters
| Eastern Conference | Western Conference | ||
| Starters | Starters | ||
| Dwayne Wade | Miami Heat | Chris Paul |
New Orleans Hornets |
| Allen Iverson |
Detroit Pistons | Kobe Bryant |
LA Lakers |
| Dwight Howard | Orlando Magic | Yao Ming | Houston Rockets |
| Kevin Garnett | Boston Celtics | Amare Stoudemire |
Phoenix Suns |
| LeBron James | Cleveland Cavaliers | Tim Duncan | San Antonio Spurs |
| Reserves | Reserves | ||
| Joe Johnson | Atlanta Hawks | Dirk Nowitzki | Dallas Mavericks |
| Jameer Nelson* | Orlando Magic | Shaquille O’Neal | Phoenix Suns |
| Danny Granger | Indiana Pacers |
Brandon Roy |
Portland Trail Blazers |
| Paul Pierce |
Boston Celtics |
Chauncey Billups |
Denver Nuggets |
| Chris Bosh* | Toronto Raptors | Pau Gasol | LA Lakers |
| Devin Harris | NJ Nets |
David West | New Orleans |
| Rashard Lewis | Orlando Magic | Tony Parker |
San Antonio Spurs |
*Injury replacements:
Jameer Nelson of the Orlando Magic has been replaced by Ray Allen of the Boston Celtics.
Chris Bosh of the Toronto Raptors has been replaced by Mo Williams of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Could Jason Varitek Retire?
Boston Red Sox free agent catcher Jason Varitek could retire according to a baseball source.
From Tony Massarotti of the Boston Globe:
According to a baseball source, the deadline by which Varitek must accept or decline the Red Sox’ latest contract offer is set for tomorrow morning 8:30 AM leaving less than a day for the matter to play out. According to the same source, Varitek is very seriously considering the option of sitting out the 2009 season and/or retiring rather than accepting the contract offer made to him last week.
Though Varitek appears to have no other suitors at this time, it would not be unprecedented for him to sit out (or retire) until he receives an offer to his liking. With agent Scott Boras advising him at that time, too, Varitek sat out an entire year after being drafted in the first round by the Minnesota Twins in 1993. He then re-entered the draft and was selected by the Seattle Mariners in 1994, who eventually signed the player.
Massarotti adds that the Red Sox will start talking with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Texas Rangers about Miguel Montero and Jarrod Saltalamacchia respectively.
This could be Boras and Varitek’s way of trying to get themselves a better deal. But who knows it could backfire on them as the Red Sox already don’t like Boras from their dealings with Mark Teixeira.
Let’s hope that it doesn’t come to this (Varitek retiring or sitting out). Varitek is much needed for this Red Sox team.
UPDATE 5:41 PM: Tony Mazz changed the time in his blog post from tomorrow morning to an 8:30 AM deadline.
Rudy Gay Slam Dunk Improv
Calling all UConn Huskies men’s basketball fans and Memphis Grizzlies fans!!!
As UConn Huskies fans or as a fan of the Memphis Grizzlies, we need to show our support for former Husky Rudy Gay, who will be participating in this year’s Sprite Slam Dunk Contest. Show your love for Rudy by embedding the widget onto your site. And don’t forget to watch it first.
Jason Varitek: Deal Or No Deal
Update 1/30: From Tony Massarotti of the Boston Globe.
If you’ve read the latest Jason Varitek update and are expecting an answer by 8:30 a.m., be advised: agent Scott Boras is based on the West Coast, which means an answer may not be coming until perhaps the middle of the day.
According to a source, Varitek today faces an 8:30 a.m. deadline to decide whether he will accept the team’s latest (and last?) contract offer, though the team would likely allow the benefit of interpreting the deadline as 8:30 a.m. Pacific Standard Time, which translates into 11:30 a.m. on the East Coast. As of late last night, the Sox and Boras were not expected to speak again until this morning.
From Dan Roche of WBZ:
Was just told by an MLB source that there was never an 8:30am deadline for Jason Varitek to make a decision on the Red Sox offer of 1 year at 5-million dollars or two years at 8-million or 10-million depending on options.
From Joe McDonald of the Providence Journal:
Word out of Fenway Park this morning is a deadline for Jason Varitek to accept or reject the club’s contract offer by this morning does not exist.
A decision is likely to be made by this afternoon, and even if that does happen, it’s unlikely a possible deal would be finalized today.
12:22 PM Update: From Tony Massarotti:
One week after Jason Varitek received a team letter that effectively served as an ultimatum, the Red Sox and their catcher are expected to talk into the afternoon hours today in hopes of settling their winter-long stalemate.
A resolution on the matter still is expected by the end of the day.
Boston Red Sox News & Notes – 1/29
The countdown is on for a decision from Jason Varitek on whether or not he will accept the offer from the Boston Red Sox. There’s no need to rehash everything. We know the details, we know the timeframe, so now we sit and wait and countdown the hours to 12 AM on Saturday morning.
Or as Howie Mandel would put it, Deal Or No Deal?
So while we sit here and wait on bated breath, let’s take a look at what else is making news for the Red Sox organization.
If Jason Varitek balks, the Red Sox have other options [Boston Herald]
Apparently, Mark Kotsay isn’t a big fan of free agency [RedSox.com]
Chad Finn is hoping the Red Sox will sign Adam Dunn [Touching All The Bases]
Ryan Westmoreland has had an eventful beginning to his Red Sox career [Pro Jo]
Red Sox spring preview [RotoTimes.com]
Red Sox ticket sales and sponsorships are down from 2008’s pace [Bloomberg.com]
Speaking of ticket sales, the Red Sox have opened up the registration for select games [SOX & Dawgs]
Red Sox Top 11 prospects [Baseball Prospectus]
The New York Times Company has hired Goldman, Sachs to sell it’s share in the Red Sox [Washington Post]
Gary Marbry has a nugget-style review of Julio Lugo [WEEI.com]
The ‘Hanging Sox’ bank robber has finally been caught [Red Sox Monster]