Believe me, I am hoping that the Red Sox and Scott Boras/Jason Varitek (they are one and the same, right) can work out a new contract that will bring Varitek back to Boston for another season. And that's about as nice as I can say it. Now for some detail on my real feelings.
The Varitek situation (although the catcher might be tempted to call it a "fiasco" before all is said and done) has reminded me of a few things that never really left my mind. First, superagent Boras hugely misread the market for his client. Second, the client and the Red Sox spent the better part of the winter engaged in a pointless staring contest that will ultimately be won by the Red Sox, who will save a few million dollars. Third, the catcher will likely head to Fort Myers looking like a financial loser in this whole situation. Fourth, the Red Sox will likely have to put together a contract with a second year attached (easily achieved through reachable incentives) that will allow their captain to save face next month. And fifth, the Red Sox --so far -- have not seriously entertained the notion of going outside the organization to deal for our catcher of the future, you know, the one that our esteemed captain is supposed to tutor in 2009.
There is plenty of blame to go around on this one. And there will be a winner (hopefully, the team) and a couple of losers (the agent and the catcher). If the Red Sox don't locate and acquire the receiver who will fill Varitek's big shoes for years to come, the team could also be considered a loser in the long run.
You might not be able to tell, but I do want Varitek to return ... for one year at reasonable dollars. The Sox must identify a successor ASAP and get the show on the road. Wouldn't it be nice to have the catcher be part of the Sox system from Day One of spring training?
Neither side needed the drama that has played out this winter. Varitek himself may pay a heavy price in the eyes of fans for these protracted negotiations and the feeling that he overvalued himself.
Experts say that there is nothing harder than managing an aging player with fading skills. I think Theo Epstein would agree that serving as General Manager is no picnic either.
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