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Catching chatter

Email|Link|Comments (19) Posted by Amalie Benjamin, Globe Staff December 4, 2008 05:55 PM

So it's been a long, cold wait for the Hot Stove season to start warming up. But, with the winter meetings right around the corner, there seems to be a glimmer of hope that things could start happening soon. Or maybe not.

At least we'll all be headed to Las Vegas on Sunday to find out.

For now, in the rush up to the meetings, general manager Theo Epstein addressed a couple of pressing topics that the Red Sox will have to address in the coming days, weeks, and months. And chief among those is the catching situation. To wit, the Red Sox don't exactly have a starting catcher at the moment with Jason Varitek a free agent and Kevin Cash not an option to start.

While there haven't been any new developments in terms of a potential deal with Varitek, Epstein did allow that the team could both sign the Sox captain and make a trade for a catcher of the future in the same offseason.

"It's probably broader than people think, maybe not so deep," Epstein said, of the trade market for catching. "If you study all the clubs, there are more teams with a catcher to move than one might think or that maybe is being represented. That doesn't mean that we've found a way to match up yet. We haven't. Probably more teams out there with catching that they can move than anticipated.

He added, "We also have catchers waiting in the minor leagues who are talented, but maybe not quite ready to step into a prominent role right now. We'll see. I'm confident that we [will] find a way to end up with a reputable catching corps that we hope will have us set up not only for 2009, but also for the future."

One seeming stumbling block to making a trade and re-signing Varitek would be the Tim Wakefield issue. While Cash -- who is arbitration-eligible and on the roster right now -- was Wakefield's catcher this past season, that doesn't mean that the Sox will necessarily need a personal catcher for the knuckleballer in the future.

"We have to be mindful of the fact that Wake can be a challenge for some catchers," Epstein said. "At the same time, I don't know that even Wake feels we should limit our options at catcher because of any one pitcher. We just have to strike the right balance. [Varitek's] caught him in the past. We'll see. There's no news on that front. He's always been an option to catch him. He's caught him in the past. It's obviously something that [Terry Francona's] stayed away from in recent years."

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19 comments so far...

Does anybody know where the meetings take place in Las Vegas? I know there is a baseball exhibit at the convention center. I will be there. Anyone need a reporter. lol

Posted by neshat December 4, 08 09:29 PM

My question: Who's going to DH for Varitek this year? Instead of DH'ing for the pitchers, they should DH for him. And that should figure into whether they keep him and how much they pay him.

Posted by ET December 4, 08 11:08 PM

Just do the one year lease on I Rod already...........

Posted by sweetlew December 5, 08 12:06 AM

Wake doesn't need a personal catcher if he's in the pen.

Posted by Chris December 5, 08 12:15 AM

Varitek might have caught Wakefield in the past, but it wasn't pretty. Don't forget about the relief we all felt about the Mirabelli special delivery.

Posted by Elizabeth December 5, 08 12:30 AM

dont resign varitek. he's awful. complete black hole in the lineup. he hit .182 from may until the end of the season. he's cooked.

Posted by Will December 5, 08 01:10 AM

belagio

Posted by m December 5, 08 01:41 AM

MEETINGS AT THE BELLAGIO. ALSO WHERE THEO AND THE OTHER BIGGIES STAYING IN VEGAS. LIVING HERE BUT MISSING BEAN TOWN, GO SOX!

Posted by KATHY D December 5, 08 02:43 AM

Both Kottaras and Brown can catch Wake and Zinc, and both can hit very well, making one of them a suitable back up for a Shoppach or Laird if Tek/Borass decides to walk. They also hit well enough to be used as a 3rd catcher behind Salty, TG or Monte, if Tek returns, both to be mentored by Tek. Either rookie could pinch hit and run, and the two could rotate through the season gaining Tek's wisdom and MLB time.

Posted by giraud December 5, 08 03:03 AM

winter meetings... "This year the Baseball Winter Meetings will be held in Las Vegas at the Las Vegas Convention Center & The Las Vegas Hilton, December 8 - 11. "

Posted by Cameron December 5, 08 03:04 AM

they are staying at the Bellagio

Posted by James December 5, 08 06:13 AM

I sure would like to be a bug on the wall. I just want Tek back. The team will not look right without him. Twelve years of looking at him behind the plate anyone else would be so strange.
I am sure that Tek will be loyal to his fans and come back to Boston. Maybe someday, like Pesky's Pole, we can have TEK's Backstop. I am so hopeful for Tek this season and all the Sox's that they maintain a respectful and healthy team throughout the 2009 season and i can almost guarantee the Sox will WIN.

Posted by 4TEK33 December 5, 08 08:11 AM

I heard that it is going down at the Belligio, hope that helps!

Posted by naton December 5, 08 08:59 AM

Anyone need a reporter??? Weak....

Posted by mike December 5, 08 11:13 AM

We need to sign Varitek, for sure. No other option. Ross is gone, Cash can go. Theo is shopping for one or two catchers to try in addition to Tek. Probably Salty out of Texas. He is young, and in time...maybe he will do fine....Maybe. We are a World Championship caliber team & we cannot base decisions on Maybe's. As a businessman, Theo knows that you pay the big bucks for the best. You don't mess with the good (hell, GREAT) thing we have going here in Boston. Tek has been running the weekly player meetings for almost 5 years now, I think he knows his business, and he is a great catcher. Catchers are not always big bats, anyone who knows baseball knows that. Tek will be back. Long live the Captain!!!!!!!

Posted by fruitgirl December 5, 08 01:00 PM

start cash - he can hit 200 just like vartiek and throw out a few more runners. let the bench call the games.

Posted by ted December 5, 08 01:17 PM

Thanks for the information all except Mike. "Weak"? You're weak. Its a joke lighten up.

Posted by neshat December 5, 08 03:03 PM

The best option is, of course, to bring Tek back and have his backup play 60 - 80 games. The OTHER big issue with a new catcher, besides a big bat, is a good arm. It is clear that the Rays will try to run themselves into another WS. We need someone who can slow them down.

Posted by giraud December 6, 08 09:08 PM