Today, it was reported that the Red Sox have offered a minor league deal with an invite to spring training to Jason Varitek. Varitek is the team captain and has played for the Red Sox his entire career (1997-2011). His 162-game average for his who career has been .256/20/79, however, he has definitely tailed off from those prestigious numbers in recent years. In 2011, Varitek batted just .221/11/36 as the backup catcher fro the 2nd straight year. Varitek's last solid season came in 2007, when he batted at .255/17/68. While Varitek's game-calling skills behind the plate haven't deteriorated at all, his skills behind the plate have diminished. In 2011, he threw out just .14% of batters, as opposed to 31% by Jarrod Saltalamacchia and a league-leading 41% by Kelly Shoppach. Varitek would likely be slated at #4 on the depth chart for catchers, behind Salty, Shoppach, and Ryan Lavarnway. If I were Varitek, I'd accept the fact that his distinguished career is over and retire.
Friday, January 13, 2012
Red Sox Offer Varitek A Minor League Deal
Today, it was reported that the Red Sox have offered a minor league deal with an invite to spring training to Jason Varitek. Varitek is the team captain and has played for the Red Sox his entire career (1997-2011). His 162-game average for his who career has been .256/20/79, however, he has definitely tailed off from those prestigious numbers in recent years. In 2011, Varitek batted just .221/11/36 as the backup catcher fro the 2nd straight year. Varitek's last solid season came in 2007, when he batted at .255/17/68. While Varitek's game-calling skills behind the plate haven't deteriorated at all, his skills behind the plate have diminished. In 2011, he threw out just .14% of batters, as opposed to 31% by Jarrod Saltalamacchia and a league-leading 41% by Kelly Shoppach. Varitek would likely be slated at #4 on the depth chart for catchers, behind Salty, Shoppach, and Ryan Lavarnway. If I were Varitek, I'd accept the fact that his distinguished career is over and retire.
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It would be sad to see Varitek go the the minor league. On the other hand, at least he would still be playing baseball and might make occasional appearances at Fenway. You will be missed, my friend!
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