Varitek deadline set for Friday

"A one-year deal would allow Varitek to re-enter the free agent market next fall if he has a bounce-back year in 2009, reintroducing the possibility of a more lucrative multiyear deal."

That's why many -- if not most -- of us thought he should have accepted arbitration, and said so at the time. We've come full circle.

a couple of thoughts: 1) even if Tek has a good year $3M may look very good to him next year in a collapsing economy. (Salaries, I predict, will continue to crash and the Hose will pick up a big name or two cheap this year); 2) in the more likely case that Jason continues to swing long and loopy and ugly and hits for nuttin', can the Sox drop him from the 25 man roster and leave him not suited. Are they stuck with him if he is a liability? That is a concern.
If I have to watch that guy drop his hands as he swings all year I may have to turn the set off.

It's time for him to take the money or retire. What's wrong with us fans? Can't we ever let go?

Maybe we should lobby to have Larry Bird return, or the Chief, or Bobby Orr?
When their skills deteriorate it should be O V E R - stop trying to cling to the past

TAKE THE DEAL!!!

Yes, Varitek and Borass screwed up when they declined arbitration and it makes them look like fools. I'm wondering if not only did they misread the market, but Boras misread the Red Sox and one of his other clients, Teixeria. Varitek and Borass may have been counting on the Sox to reward them, the way they rewarded Borass and J.D. Drew after they were able to sign Dice-K for on their terms, not the player and agents terms; a so-called victory for the Red Sox (If you can call paying a player, who never played in a major League game, ever, 51.11 million dollars a victory).
Well, we know now that Teixeria and his wife are all about "Show me the money!" Maybe Borass anticipated the Sox going all out for Teixeria and then extremely over paying for their old worn-out catcher. That house of cards fell when the Teixeria’s were hypnotized by the Yankee My$tique (gag). The only true winner here is Teixeria and generations of Teixeria to come. Sorry Jason, you lose, take the generous offer!

Come back and show the fans who gave up on you
THAT YOU CAN STILL HIT! .....AND HELP BRING US
ANOTHER CHAMPIONSHIP!

One of the big problems for baseball contracts is that the union agreewment prohibits performance based incentives. I'm sure the Sox would be happy to pay Varikek $10 million if he hit .275 or bette, but he union won't allow that..

Tony, would it be an option for Boras to counter with a one year deal but the Sox cannot offer Tek arbitration next year? In other words a situation similar to what NFL teams do when it comes to the franchise tag?

The downside will be is if Jason has a bounce back year and there is a market for him in 2010 the Sox would not get any compensation.

It is time for Tek to admit that Boras led him down the "primrose path" and cost him a great deal of money. This is the best offer he is going to get and if he refuses to take it then it is time for the Sox to move on. It is too bad that Tek's last couple of years in a Boston uniform will be tainted by these events, but sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. Just ask Boras' other client who appears to have given up $20 million for two in exchange for what? $45 million for three!!
Jacoby--I hope that you are paying attention,

Maybe it could be written in the contract that the second year , if he wasn't hitting he would be used as a coach. His knowledge and leadership skills are too great to lose,

I am so happy to see Boras getting a taste of his own medicine even though it is at the expense of Varitek. That being said, JV did get a little too greedy; bird in hand is better than two in the bush. There is nothing really for him to mull over unless he wants to sit the year out.

GOODNESS...I'M SICK OF VARITEK AND HIS ANTICS. JUST SIGN OR DECLINE THE OFFER ALREADY...this is dragging on too long. So much for being team loyalty bla bla bla. TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT! Pettitte signed for 5.5mil for goodness sakes!!

I'm seeing this comment come up often, that Varitek didn't take the arbitration offer because it was non-guaranteed. That seems to be a bit or revisionist history which the reporters are picking up. Maybe they are just trying to do Varitek a favor by carrying that point of view, but it is hardly believable.
He didn't take it because Boras was asking for 4 years $52 million at the time.
The $10 million arbitration offer was a good one given what he knows now. He could have still negotiated that to a 2 year guaranteed deal before signing and probably could have easily gotten 2 years at $7 million per year at that point.

"A one-year deal would allow Varitek to re-enter the free agent market next fall if he has a bounce-back year in 2009, reintroducing the possibility of a more lucrative multiyear deal." What is this writer smoking ?

And, next year Varitek will be how old ? Unless he vacations in Cuba and returns as a 31 year old after getting his birth certificate altered (hey - maybe Obama can help him in Hawaii with that), there are two chances of a long term deal for a catcher with his age and body and stats: Slim and none, and I think I just saw slim on the Green Line heading outta town.

Let's all face it - Boras is making dick on Vaitek on this contract (compared with other free agents in his stable) and he obviously wants to play the Red Sox on an emotional front with their Captain. Varitek feels like Flounder in Animal House with Boras as Eric Stratton right after his brother's car emerges wrecked. "Let's face it Flounder...you f*cked up - you trusted us...."

So where does that leave The Captain. If he can parlay this contract into a verbal agreement to coach afterwards and stay in the organization, it will be worth it emotionally to him as the years pass.

SIgn it, donate $1M to charity immediately...play your heart out. Make a statement that it is NOT about the bigger paycheck. Varitek can have the cache that such names as Yaz, Fisk and few others still earn in their lives. He can be the face of those World Cahmpionshiops as others fade into the sunset.

I hp ope tek signs, but im not going to cry about him making only 5.5 mil for one year thats more than most of us make for a entire lifetime, doing things we dont like.

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Who is going to sign Tek now.?.. The Sox are standing their ground... If he has a bounce back year the team wont have to worry about him jumping ship... You can bet jason will weigh offers if his numbers go up.. All's fair in love war and sports..

He is so dilusional if he thinks he's going to get more than the $5 million the Red Sox would owe him if they excercised the 2010 option. He still has this view of himself as a great player who will be sought out as opposed to an aging catcher with diminishing skills. Boras is now spinning this whole thing about arbitration that it would have yielded a non-guaranteed deal. It's as if anyone is supposed to believe that the Sox were going to screw him by cutting him in Spring Training. The Red Sox gave him a gift and he and Boras actually believe the very generous gift was insulting. If he really wants to "save face", his only way to do that is by retiring.

I think the Red Sox have been very fair to Varitek. Granted $5M is a steep drop from last year & what his brilliant agent predicted he would get on the open market but it was Tek's decision to decline arbitration. His market value was never as high as Boras said it was, in fact it wasn't even remotely close. He should fire Boras asap & sign on the dotted line.

I hate to see Tek leave ... I think he still adds value to the pitching staff & mentoring a younger catcher but the price had to be right for the Sox ... $5M with a $3M players' option in year 2 is very fair. Plus I have $150 invested in his jersey.

Come on Tek, sign on the dotted line! Please!!!

Is there anything other than this you can write about in the next few days. Lets try something different and write about people on the team.
Personally Varitek had the 2 O'S Overated and Overpaid.

Take the $5,000,000 Jason and end this drama.

That is a risky move by the sox...who will badly regret this if Tek doesn't take the offer. I think there should have been some incentives in there. Drive in 60 runs, get 150 hits, play in 130 games, etc. Or, at least give him 6 or 7 million. That 1 extra million that puts it over 50% of what he would have gotten might have made the difference. Now Tek needs to work for 2 year to get what he would have gotten had he accepted arbitration. Not that I feel bad for him...I need to work for 55 years to make 5-million bucks, and I have to work for 245 days a year. I sure hope we get Tek back.

Look, don't budge on this. He's had plenty of time to read the writing on the wall. Besides, he cost us the Pennant. If Tito hadn't already won two World Series we'd be all over him for letting Varitek bat, not once, but twice, with tying runs on base near the end of game 7. I seem to remember another manager feeling such loyalty to a player that he didn't take him out for the defensive replacement as he had been doing all year (Bill Buckner anyone) and that cost us another World Series.

So tell Tek he'll be pinch hit for a lot and move on.

I still don't understand why the Yankees wouldn't grab him for 2 years for $12-13 mil. They could weaken one of their division rivals as well as have a backup for Posada, who's coming off surgery. They don't even have to sacrifice a first round draft pick due to the other free agents they've signed. As a Sox fan, I'm worried about that happening.

Deadline should have been 3 yrs ago!! let him go!!

You know, I'm starting to get some insight re why Varitek's wife divorced him. Hey, fella - you can't commit to a main squeeze, can't commit to the length of your contract - you need someone to tell you what pitches to call?

Forget 'cowboy up' - MAN up. Grow up. SIgn the damn contract or get the hell out - it's SPRING TRAINING time, and you've left the team without a starting catcher. I'm not quick to criticize the players, but THIS... is disgusting. Do us all a favor and go take someone else's money.

After reading your recent articles concerning TEK, I have to conclude that MAZZ is a mole for Boras. Please don't let Boras feed you selective information, MAZZ, as it is tainted!

Let him walk! Oh wait, he calls a good game...big deal. It is not worth anything if he goes 0-4 each game!

The Red Sox are treating tek like a piece of meat. I would not blame him if he refused this terrible selfish offer from the sox.
Oh how soon they forget! What would they have done without him over the years.
Boo To the Red Sox!

I'm almost hoping he declines, although that'd be foolish. It might be necessary to have an additional bat in line up, expecially if Papi and Lowell fall off.

Varitek should accept this offer ASAP, he is not suddenly at age 37 going to show signs of the fountain of youth and improve his batting or catching skills. The Sox could use his leadership and experience, but not to the extent of a two year guaranteed contract and not a penny more than $5 million a season. I think the world of Varitek for his contributions to the Sox success over the years, but frankly he is at a juncture of his career where making million is being generous. Somewhere along the line reality must set into the consciousness of Varitek and Boras Badenough

$5 mm or retirement......hmmmmm?

If Varitek takes the one year deal and becomes a free agent next year, do the sox get still get a 1st round draft pick if he signs with another team?

How in the world would he have greater earning power next year, when he is another year older? Unless he goes on a hitting tear this year, which is highly unlikely, I just don't see any added value for next year.
Sign, Jason. We need your experience behind the plate.

Bye, bye, Cap'n. Don't let the door hit you on your ample posterior on the way out...

I wish the Red Soz had further stipulated that Scott Boras be required to kneel and kiss both of Theo Epstein's shoes before being able to sign the contract.

Final offer makes, did you hear the one that TEK didn't know the sox would have to give up a draft pick if he goes free agent to another team. Nice job by Boras expaining things to his client. Did you notice NOBOBY was interested in signing him?

Ha ha, Boras!

I guess I am confused at this point. Tek has had 3 months to decide what to do, and another week already with the sox offer on the table. What is so hard to decide. Yes you will swallow your pride and come back for less, or you wont. End of story. Its not like he has to decide to take less to move to a new team like Adam Dunn or Orlando Hudson will. Same team, same city, same teammates, same everything...except the money which is his own fault (along with Scotty B). Make the decision Tek so we can figure out the next move! If the reports are correct the Red Sox have agreed to nto make a trade or anything until you decide, there is no real reason for you to keep them waiting. This is a mess of your own making, the Sox have been more than patient. Get on with it!

The Sox better stick to their take it or leave it approach or I will lose faith in their business ethics. Don't give BoreAss one inch on this deal. I love Varitek as a catcher and what he means for the team but he screwed up here and has shown that as a business person he better stick to baseball when he retires and not out in the business world.

I'm so tired of Boras and Varitek. If they negotiate for a one year deal, after wanting a multiple year offer since the end of last season, then they will officially be the dumbest, most selfish and hypocritical men on the face of the earth.

Get real here, Stop the pro-Varitek spin. Varitek & Boras rejected arbitration because they wanted Posada money. Greed. Hey Kaptain, ever hear of Dewey Evans?

who's your baseball source, mike silverman?

The Red Sox are idiots if they don't offer Varitek at least $10 million/yr for 3 years (two years guaranteed and a player option for the third). This is a guy who is the CAPTAIN of the Red Sox. I guess they don't realize that Varitek is loyal to the end and Red Sox Nation is loyal to Varitek. We will unite and BOYCOTT FENWAY PARK if they do not re-sign him immediately. If they don't bring him back, just wait till opening day in April when people are boycotting fenway and throwing their tickets in the trash instead of going to the game. The place will be empty and Theo will finally see that he should have listed to Red Sox Nation.

So, now that the Sox have given their final numbers, Boor-as has until Saturday to save face by convincing somebody to take Tek at $5.5 mil then proclaim he got a great deal.

I don't care anymore! This is getting worse than the Texiera drama.....

Looks like a simple choice for the Captain. Take the offer or don't play major league baseball in 2009. I hope the Pettitte signing will ease the stigma of having to accept a salary cut. Jason can still come off looking good by accepting the deal, admit the error he made with not accepting arbitration, and fire that greedy agent of his.

This is getting boring as well as personally offensive: I guess it hasn't occurred to anyone in the baseball world that the country is in a financial depression. Must be nice to be haggling over millions while many of us are struggling to pay the next month's mortgage!
Professional sports today are still a fantasy land! Hey, Frank Malzone, an eight-time All-Star, was thrilled when he got a raise to $25,000. No, dumb*ss, not a DAY, a YEAR!

Why is this still an open issue? Has Tek received any other offers? It's obvious he wants to play for the Sox. Why even bother with an agent? Fire Boras and go for the option Tek - it's going to be the best offer you get.

Tek should ride off into the sunset with Heidi. We can't get much worse with a catcher that we have on the staff right now. It's always about the money. But this time it failed. Ha-ha. He could file for unemployment like me. I hope he declines the offer so the rest of Red Sox Nation can move on.

Proud Member of Red Sox Nation ....
I desperately want to believe you are kidding. No one over the age of 6 can be that naive. I have read a lot of amazingly dumb things about the Varitek situation (and I like him and hope he signs), but your post is now in first place.

Boycotting Fenway Park because Varitek isn't a Red Sox anymore. ARE YOU SERIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!! The guy can't hit anymore. It's to the point where my grandfather would have a better opportunity that him with the stick. Sox need to deal to get a young catcher FOR THE FUTURE!

Proud member,

You are NUTS!!!!! Varitek is the most overrated player in RedSox history. He should have been shown the door years ago. Why don't you give me your Sox tickets before you rip them up. Let the Cash era begin.

The Red Sox are idiots if they don't offer Varitek at least $10 million/yr for 3 years (two years guaranteed and a player option for the third). This is a guy who is the CAPTAIN of the Red Sox. I guess they don't realize that Varitek is loyal to the end and Red Sox Nation is loyal to Varitek. We will unite and BOYCOTT FENWAY PARK if they do not re-sign him immediately. If they don't bring him back, just wait till opening day in April when people are boycotting fenway and throwing their tickets in the trash instead of going to the game. The place will be empty and Theo will finally see that he should have listed to Red Sox Nation.
Boras is that you?

J

Why did they give Boras another chance to shop the offer around? Haven't they learn from their last experience. That snake is going to tell Tek to switch team even if he can get an extra $1 from another team. They should give him 1 day to decide (remember Damon's deal with the Yanks?)

Its business. I for one dont fault Varitek for any of this. It his final payday. Some of you make it appear as if he is the one and only player in baseball history to do this.

I find all the anti-tek vitriole to be absolutely ridiculous. Its business, plain and simple. He is doing what he had to do, and the Sox are doing what they have to do. No more, no less. Nor do I get bothered by the salaries of athletes and other entertainment, as I realize that the salary structure/scale isnt the same as the rest of us. The market bears their contracts. Our salaries are what our employment markets will bear.

Why did they give Boras another chance to shop the offer around? Haven't they learn from their last experience. That snake is going to tell Tek to switch team even if he can get an extra $1 from another team. They should give him 1 day to decide (remember Damon's deal with the Yanks?)

Varitek is a bum, have any of you noticed that NOT ONE TEAM WANTS HIM?? Its because they saw how awful he was last year. Do you remember how many times we had 2 men on the bases with 2 outs and varitek ruined it for us? This is where you people tells me that he "CALLS A GOOD GAME" and I laugh at you because you have no idea what you are talking about.

GO AWAY VARITEK

I don't care anymore! This is getting worse than the Texiera drama.....
Posted by MBCRAZY

This is getting boring as well as personally offensive...
Posted by redsoxguy

Hey, here's a thought: then DON"T READ ANY MORE STORIES ON IT!!! duh!!!

Proud Member of Red Sox Nation --- are you serious? Are you really that stupid?
Please say you were making those comments in jest!

1 yr deal and he should take the dual option.

This is for the guy who will boycott if Tek isn't brought back.
First, may I have any tickets you may have?
Second,who is "We" as in "We will boycott?"
Third , why pay him $10 m when he has no other teams interested.
I say,call his agent and let him know, after thinking it over, you are cutting the current offer in half.

How many times did Varitek come to the plate in 08, with men on base, only to pop out, hit into a double play, strike out, or fly out meekly and weakly to center? Answer - too many to count!!! I watch nearly EVERY game and I'm sick of looking at it. Thanks for your service to the team, Tek, but it's time to move on into coaching. Time to give a young up-and-comer the same shot you got over 10 years ago. Please Theo, trade for a young catcher with promise and move on with your life!

Take the 5 mil guarantee and pull a Manny. Refuse to play.

Hooray for Theo and team. We sign a .200 hitter...a player NOONE in the league wanted for $5M. This is a joke. We have had all offseason to address this and this is where we are? We have the ability to acquire Saltamachia, we need to do it. I know...we have to give up Bucholtz. So be it. Last I saw he is no where near the ace of the staff. We have serious problems withour offense and that is IF David and Lowell return to true form.

Hey,
The person that posted as "Proud Member of Red Sox Nation" is obviously Scott Boras -- hey Scotty, we don't want you in the Nation!

Even though the country is in a depression, the Sox have already sold 2 million tickets. The remaining tickets for the Yankee games, monster seats, etc. will also sell out. Veritek and Boras know this. The Sox appear to be insulated from the economic problems; apparently Boras & Veritek don't feel they should accept the current (low) offer. I bet the deadline passes. Veritek can wait to see if there are injuries, other opportunities after June 1. Also, if the Sox go to camp and their current "catcher by committee" plan fails, Veritek's price goes up.

Boras earned his commission on over 400 million dollars this offseason, I seriously doubt he is losing any sleep on the 5 million Tek missed out on.

Tek should jump on this offer and Sox should still make a deal w/ either Tex or Zona so they can actually do what they should have done 2-3 years ago and develop the future backstop while Tek is still on board.

Why are the Red Sox idiots they offer him arbitration and he decline and now he has no offers,so why should they give him 10 million/year he listen to his agent now take the pay cut Kaptein ja ja plus people say give him the money or boycott the games ja ja ja stupid you dump the tickets and you think the Red Sox will lose the money no you fool you will.........

RE: Proud Member of Red Sox Nation
"The Red Sox are idiots if they don't offer Varitek at least $10 million/yr for 3 years (two years guaranteed and a player option for the third). This is a guy who is the CAPTAIN of the Red Sox."

Be real. Why the heck would they offer him that when no other team wants him at the moment (whether it's because of losing a first-round pick or whatever)? He should be thankful he's even getting 2 years at $5 million a year. In case you haven't noticed, there is a HUGE problem with the economy!!! Did you see the list of free agents that are STILL unsigned???

"We will unite and BOYCOTT FENWAY PARK if they do not re-sign him immediately."

Yeah, you do that. I think people would boycott the park more due to increased ticket prices due to signing players beyond what is reasonable.

Lastly, he only wears the "C" as that was the final bargining chip the Red Sox had for his EGO when they wouldn't give him more money for his last contract.

SAY NO TO VARITEK, bring back Mirabelli!!!

I'd like to think I make a decent living ($60,000 a year). I have a decent house and put food on the table. And it would take me 83 years to make $ 5 million!!!! Something is just not right. Come back Jason and take the 83 years worth of my salary.

you boycott... ill go ahead and take your tickets...

The post made by Proud Member of Red Sox Nation was one of the funniest things I have read in awhile, thank you for that "Proud member".

The only reason I hope Jason Varitek accepts the Red Sox hard-line offer is because the name Scott Boar-ass will be in screaming neon lights over the marquee entitled "How I screwed all my clients except Mark Teixeira, who was the only one I ever gave a though to. Oh, Manny Ramirez? Yeah, I'm still trying to get him 6/150." How dumb must Atlanta be to give declining Derek Lowe 4/60? Does anyone remember Arn Tellem, who told Nomar to turnup his nose at the Sox's generous offer of 4/60 in 2003? When the Sox, at season's end came back with 4/48, it was the beginning of the end of Nomar's Hall of Fame career in Boston. What's he done since? Boar-ass is headed down that road now. Hey Jason, how does it feel? Want to exchange the Sox's "puny" one-year offer of $5million for my take-home? Didn't think so!

I must say his numbers have been declineing ever since two years ago. Yet he still though that he would get a long term deal NOT! The only reason other catchers got deals were because they can still hit, and they prove it.

I must say his numbers have been declineing ever since two years ago. Yet he still though that he would get a long term deal NOT! The only reason other catchers got deals were because they can still hit, and they prove it.

What happened Mazz - there doesn't appear to be any whining about Teixeira in this column? I thought that was a prerequisite for all your articles this year.

I must say his numbers have been declineing ever since two years ago. Yet he still though that he would get a long term deal NOT! The only reason other catchers got deals were because they can still hit, and they prove it.

Borass will still get his cut, not sure what you guys are laughing at.

There's no point arguing that baseball is a business, What is worth consideration are the questions of excess and honesty.
They say that how we spend our leisure time is a mirror of the culture in general. I'd say it's time to take stock and re-evaluiate things, and, as a player on the leisure stage Varitek needs to step towards his audience and deliver a monologue that reminds me of when Ted Williams tore up a $125,000 contract and said he'd sign one for $92,000, because that's what he was worth.
No matter what strategy or rationale the Prince of Darkness whispers in his ear, if the captain is a leader, he will shoo him away, and do the right thing.
Too many folks in this country living in their own bubbles...we're all hooked up, just like the nine we cheer April through October.

All Sox contracts with Boras' clients should have a 24 hour deadline. He can't benefit from giving THE CASHMAN the last look on this one, but he would. Tek will sign, but this and the Manny deal will show others that there is a downside to signing with Boras.

Hey, Tek, what does Heidi think about the retirement package? I thought it was comical a few weeks ago for her to present "scoop" for NESN on the contract negotiations. What a shil that Heidi is!

Jason Varitek and his agent have had the Sox's offer for 3 to 5 days now. Each day this drags on I lose some respect for Jason. He declinded arbitration because he wanted more than one year. Now he has a two year offer and he still hasn't signed. Players like to say it's about respect, not money. What kind of respect is Jason showing his employer of over 10 years by dragging this out? It's time for Jason to get off the fence and stop waiting for Scott and/or Heidi to tell him what he should do.

no one's going to boycott fenway over this. idiot.

who is the IDIOT that says to sign Tek to a 3 year (2 year guarante) or we will BOYCOTT for $10 mil !!!!!!!!!!! you know nothing about the fans or even the game. He is not worth it!!!!!!!!!! he is lucky to get what Theo is offering him, which i think is very generous. Take the offer on the table so the SOX can make their next move.

If I am Jason Varitek, I try a little four corners until it becomes clear whether Jorge Posada can still throw because if he shows up to Tampa with a gimp arm, the Yankees will certainly be in the market for a catcher. And because they have already lost their top three picks in next year's draft, they won't be put off by the compensation that goes along with signing JV. I'm not sure that even the Yankees, in desperation, would offer more than the Sox, but if I am JV, I would want to see that final card before I signed with the Sox.

All you guys bashing v-tek should go be yankee fans. This is what seperates us from them. For people that think he should earn less than 5 million is a testament to how spoiled we've become. This is not David Wells or Johnny Damon, this is the captain and leader of one of the best pitching staffs in the league. Do you seriously think that these great years all the red sox pitchers have had, had nothing to do with Tek? Look what most pitchers become after they leave the sox. There is a definite decline in numbers. I will say that his at bats frustrated me to the point of referring to him as Captain Automatic the past year+, but I still think that he is worth more for what he does with a pitching staff than what he does with the stick! Catchers aren't normally great hitters. Any kind of offense you get from a catcher is gravy. I'll take Tek back any day. Let him retire a red sox like all the greats from the past. Do not put a sour taste in his mouth after the years and dedication he's put in. You will regret it.

Every player on the Sox that has Borass as an agent should can him. He had one player he was looking out for. He went to the Yank's. Big commission, oh now for the rest of you.

The only way for Tek to save face is to accept this offer and dump Boras. How he has fallen, I fell due to Boras. Tek was one of everybody's favorites and the fumbling of things this offseason has been a PR catastrophe for him. Tek - Boras has made enough $ on you - dump him, take the deal, and make a statement to the fans that you miscalculated your value on the market and are happy to be back. That honesty would make you a legend and restore the faith Red Sox Nation once had in you.

As a Yankee fan, I like the way your GM is handling things. TEK showed no allegiance to Boston and Theo owes him nothing.

On the other hand, Pettitte makes $12m by just throwing his glove on the field. Theo makes Cashman look like an idiot.

I'm guessing #15 carries an "official" card at all times?

It is high time Captain Tek tell "Pit-bull" Boras to go to a VERY WARM PLACE, and I don't mean Florida. As Peter Gammons stated on his latest blog on ESPN.com this past weekend, there is no way the Red Sox would have released Tek because the PR fall-out would have been a five-alarm nightmare. If Tek is smart, he should take the one-year, plus the mutual option for 2010 as soon as possible, then give Boras his walking papers.
Re: The Comment about J. Kapstein and Dewey: Hello, Kapstein was Pudge Fisk's, Freddy Lynn's and Rick Burleson's agent, NOT Dewey's. Jack Sands served as Evans' agent for much of his career, and would have thrown himself in
front of the MBTA to keep #24 in a Red Sox uniform when the Yawkey administration (Lou Gorman and Joe Morgan) kicked him out the door on October 24, 1990, thus forcing Dewey to end his career in Baltimore in 1991. (Thank you Larry Lucchino, Frank Robinson and the late Johnny Oates for treating Dewey with class and dignity.)

class and dignity.)

Great move Sox, lets stick it to Tek that makes sense. Let's create another jerk, we just got rid of a real big one last year. Don't sign Tek!

The captain should take this deal, and I think he will. The real question is whether he will mentor another catcher and agree to a lesser role. The money is not a big issue. He put on a hissy fit last year when he was pinch hit for. If this deal includes his acceptance of a lesser role, then its a good deal. If not, and he is going to pout when they pinch hit, or play another catcher, then let him go and find another. I am a big Varitek fan. Its team ball. It has nothing to do with your contract. Its about winning. Is he going to be an unselfish player for two years? I have my reservations about his willingness. If he isnt, this contract could be a disaster

Tek'sbat has becomean extreme liability, and inthis post steroid erawe won't be seeing guys put up better numbers as they get older. His value remains in calling games and being a team leader,so he should sign what is a fair offer and what the market is calling for in these economic bad times. Other than the Yankees' spending spree, it is obvious that these times dictate more prudent spending in the free agent market.

What time are the Bruins on?

Toby, I disagree. It is not risky for the Sox. If he turns it down, they make a trade or go with the kids. Which is where they are now anyway. The risk is Varitek's. If he turns it down, he won't play anywhere. Sean, there's absolutely no way the Yanks sign him. Their current #2, Molina, is better than JV on both Off & Def. And Dave Cash is their #3. They don't need 4 Catchers. Gordon Farmer, this is a business. They already overpaid him for the last 4 years out of loyalty. Jeffrey Vagell is right on. ProudMember, you are either sarcastly funny or certifiably insane.

Dalton Young, which pitchers are you referring to when you say they declined after leaving? Pedro's decline was certainly physical. Derek Lowe actually did better. This business of how much Varitek helps the pitchers is overblown. There is clearly no way he is worth what he's being offered, as proven by the lack of competing offers.

billy13, I think you're on to something there. If he's whiny about hitting late in games or playing time in general, it could be problematic.

whoever Claude is (post # 63) he is absolutely right. it just sickens you to watch the guy try to hit anymore. his body has a lot of wear and tear - catchers just do not last past 35/36 (see Johnny Bench, Fiskie). Great career and much love for all you've done, but please pull the offer and trade for a young catcher... PPPPPPPPLLLLLLEEEEEEAAAAASSSSSEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What pitchers have failed after leaving Boston? Derek Lowe? No, he has done well. Bronson Arroyo? His best season was the first season AFTER Boston. Pedro Martinez? Had a very good 2005 until his body gave out. Who exactly "flopped" after Boston? On another front, where was Varitek when it came to Craig Hansen, Clay Buchholz, David Pauley, etc? So when Lester, Masterson, and Papelbon excel, it's because Varitek calls a good game, but when young guys like the three I just mentioned and veterans like Gagne, Suppan, Clement, etc. struggle, it's the pitcher's fault, correct? I am so sick and tired of how he "calls a good game." Is there a catcher in baseball with a worse reputation for "calling a game" than AJ Pierzynski? How is it that his teams are almost always near the top of the league in ERA and regularly in the playoffs? And most of those pitching staffs do not compare to this one! Great pitchers are great pitchers no matter who is behind the plate. The World Series catchers were Dioner Navarro and Carlos Ruiz, a 24-year-old and a 29-year-old journeyman for crying out loud. See you later "Mr. Captain". Leave the silly "C" with Jack McCormick on the way out.

jason,we all know you were a good catcher,but your best days are over and you have to move on or at least consede that your best days are behind you and if you want to save face,hang on for at least 1 more year ,and sign the contract,and show the rest of baseball you still have it in you,if not at least you made another 5 million from the sox,when no one else offered you anything,and also if you think taking a year off will get you more money,itdoesnt work just ask sammy sosa,barry bonds,and the others,once your gone its hard to come back,unless your a legend.