Red Sox: updates on Martinez, Varitek, & Wakefield options

[Auggie]

ESPNBoston.com, 11-09-09

The Red Sox were busy Monday, picking up catcher/first baseman Victor Martinez's $7.1 million team option, declining catcher Jason Varitek's $5 million team option, and tearing up pitcher Tim Wakefield's team option and replacing it with a two-year agreement.

The team also confirmed it was not picking up a $6 million option on Alex Gonzalez, which had been reported Sunday.

Wakefield's deal is worth $5 million over two years: $3.5 million in 2010 and $1.5 million in 2011, sources told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney. It replaces a perpetual $4 million-per-season team option the Red Sox had on the knuckleballer.

Wakefield, who underwent back surgery in October after an injury-riddled season, currently has 175 career victories with the Red Sox, just 17 shy of the team record of 192 shared by Cy Young and Roger Clemens.

LINK: http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/mlb/news/story?id=4638041

-----------------------
Victor Martinez -- a steal at $7.1 million.

[DaveinMD]

1. What were the Indians doing

with those Lee and Martinez deals. They gave those guys away for minimal prospects they weren't even due huge money.

[Auggie]

3. Even those moderate options were too much for them

Shapiro had to cut payroll $20 million this year -- I think the goal was to get to $60 million. Maybe word gets around, you know? The guy is desperate, so we'll see how little we can give up. It's a guess.

[DaveinMD]

5. that a city

that consistently support that team a decade ago to the point that they had payrolls close to 100 million. They were at least in the 90 million range. They have been consistently mismanaged so the fans stay away.

[Auggie]

7. It's a different ownership philosophy now than under Richard Jacobs

[DaveinMD]

10. and the new owner

is mismanaging them. You don't make money by announcing you aren't going to compete.

[Upton]

2. 7 million is nothing for a guy

who can hit like Martinez. How come the Giants never pick up on good deals like this?

[Auggie]

4. Perhaps Cleveland was asking for starting pitching...

maybe Cain. Maybe Sanchez and someone else. No way. And with Posey a year to six months away the Giants already have a catcher that need MLB experience.

But I like the idea too: Martinez at first and Sandoval at third with Molina behind the plate.

[DaveinMD]

6. the Giants

will make a run at Bay or Holliday.

[Auggie]

8. That's the conventional thinking

[DaveinMD]

9. it makes sense

one big bat should make them the favorite in that division.

[joeybee12]

11. Is this the end of Jason Varitek?

I hope not...he's been on the decline but he's the hardheaded, fiery guy the Sox needed the end of this season to keep them focused...without him, they were looking to what's-his-name for inspiration...ain't gonna happen.

[DaveinMD]

12. he exercised his players option

so he'll be back unless they trade him.

[joeybee12]

14. He's 37...there won't be many takers...he's satying, I bet...n/t

[Chan790]

24. Another board I frequent is alight with rumors he'd been told point-blank...

if he took his option they'd cut him, but if he declined it, they might be amenable to negotiating a lower-value deal for him to be the backup and finish his career in Boston. So...who knows, we may not have heard the last of this saga. Good him sticking to his guns though, forcing Theo to be the bad guy if that's true.

$3M is high for a backup catcher but for what he brings in terms of game-calling and the fact he actually hits fairly well when he's rested (meaning he might be a viable p/h option as well if we carry 3 catchers), also I place a bit of value on loyalty. Wake and Tek were there through a lot of the bad old days, I think we owe them a spot on this team as long as they want one and they're not being a drag on the organization.

I suspect that Tek will hang them up before the end of next season anyways, he won't be happy as the backup and he's got to know that he has a coaching job pretty much anywhere in the league he wants one as soon as he retires.

[Auggie]

13. They need a back-up for Martinez

He seemed to have his share of injuries at the former club

[joeybee12]

15. I was kinda disappointed in him...he really wasn't the game changer they

need...still, only half a season and they really do need a catcher for the future, and, of course $7 million is a steal.

[Auggie]

16. He's not that kind of player...

not like Ramirez or Ortiz.

[joeybee12]

18. When they signed him, I recall the pundits going on about how he was the

"big bat" they needed.

Well, they needed a long-term catcher, so that was at least a plus.

[Auggie]

20. Pat Buchanan is a pundit

;)

He's a smart hitter at the plate. Hits for average, not power, but can go deep 20-25 times a year.

MLB stats: http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=400121

[joeybee12]

21. Pat Buchanan is a smart hitter at the plate? He went deep 20-25 times a year/

Really? And i thought Pat Buchanan was simply a worthless, neo-fascist POS. The things you learn!

[madinmaryland]

23. And he played for the Bankees! Just plain evil!!

[Forkboy]

17. Love that Wake and Martinez are back, indifferent on Tek.

Varitek has been a hell of a leader for the team and deserves all the respect in the world, but he's just about done, especially as a full time starter.

[joeybee12]

19. Problem is there is a leadership vaccum now...

Francona sure isn't a leader.

[Auggie]

22. UPDATE: Varitek staying

espn.com, 11-11-09

Jason Varitek has exercised his $3 million option for 2010, the Red Sox announced Wednesday.

The Red Sox on Monday chose not to pick up their $5 million team option on the 37-year-old, leaving Varitek with the decision about his player option. Varitek hit .209 last season and saw his playing time decline in the second half after the acquisition of Victor Martinez.

"We're happy to have Jason back and we look forward to a good year from him in 2010," Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein told reporters in Chicago. "He means an awful lot to the organization on and off the field. He helps solidify our catching position also and is a big asset to the pitching staff."

With Epstein saying earlier this week Martinez will be the team's primary catcher in 2010, it is clear that Varitek will be returning as the backup.

http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/mlb/news/story?id=4645648