If Varitek had performed amazingly well under a poor contract, you might have a point. But it's not like he was living in poverty the last few years.

Miller is 35. I'd rather they start Mirabelli next year if they are just looking for a stopgap.

Schneider, while not posting many Offensive Win Shares (7 WS) had a TREMENDOUS amount of Defensive Win Shares (10 WS). Pretty amazing. That actually ties him with Varitek with 17 WS. Of course, Varitek gets points for "clubhouse presence", but it's still something to consider when signing a catcher.

It would be worth it for Millar - Mueller - Miller.

They can't give Varitek a full no-trade clause, or Manny's kicks in as well. And this management has shown lately that they won't overpay, they're go for someone else.
Personally, I think they should send him a 3 year contract for $7 mil a year, and two option years depending on performace. Work it as a no-trade during the 3 years only. If he doesn't want that, let the yankees or whoever else boras can con overpay for him. He's a catcher, but he's not Piazza from 1999.

What about a trade? Cleveland has two good young catchers. They probably won't let Victor Martinez go, but Josh Bard would fit just fine at Finway.

As a Yankee fan, I hope the Red Sox agree with your argument.

I would assume from his demands that tek wants to leave so it's probably best to let him. The no-trade is a killer. I'm not sure where he thinks he's going to get his demands since the Yankees aren't looking for a catcher.

But the Dodgers are. Their payroll isn't the same size, but who knows. And if the Mets trade Piazza, they may be interested, too.

Dodgers maybe - they don't seem to be that wild with their money - I'd think the Mets would be crazy to pursue Varitek for what he wants - but at least Mo Vaughan's off the books now.

As a GM, can you just flat-out refuse to meet with a player's agent? Is that legal?

Boras was arguing in favor of Derek Lowe in June (back when his OPP. BA. was tops in the league, as well as his ERA being second worst) by trying to say that his ridiculous run support is due to teammates wanting to do well for him. And then he argued that wins are the best stat to look at for a pitcher anyways. I just can't stand this guy. Giving in to Boras is like giving up against the Yankees... makes me sick.

If we don't resign him, fine. Theo et al will either use Mirabelli or find someone else that is smart enough to listen to the scouting reports they offer. Give me a team of Trot's anyday... he comes off of having the 4th best OPS in the AL, and resigns with the Sox for a substantial hometown discount... and he's still not making anywhere near what these other guys will get as an absolute minimum.

Love the idea of an all-Mill team (Miller/Millar/Mueller). Are there any players named Mylar?

It could be argued that you get your money's worth out of a good, durable catcher. No player sees more action in any single game, or season.

On the other hand, Tek had a long stretch of terrible at bats toward the close of the season. Pretty much anyone who threw him a high fastball got a strike. It made him look old.

But you can't argue with success, and Tek was a big part of the Sox's success this year.

The no-trade clause does appear to be a stumbling block, especially since catchers age rapidly after 33-34.

On the other hand, what's the big deal about Manny's no-trade clause kicking in? The Sox waived him last winter, but would trade Manny now?

I'd offer him big money for a short-term (2 year) deal, but mostly as a PR exercise. They will probably be wiser to let him walk.

I keep meaning to take the time to figure out why Brian Schneider gets such colossal numbers of defensive Win Shares (he did so last year as well).

Looks like the Sox just offered Damian Miller a 2 year deal. Looks like Varitak is asking for a bit much, eh? He may end up eventually taking a short term, cheapy deal because no other team really wants to pay a catcher that much money AND put in a no-trade clause for 5 years. Crazy.

Manny becomes a 10-5 guy next year anyway I think. The problem with giving Tek a no-trade is that it would also trigger no-trade clauses in Nixon's and Ortiz's contracts.

I just don't get the no trade fascination. Sox are clearly going to be competitive the next few years. They wouldn't be able to trade him if his performace dipped anyway over the next few years (b/c of the big $$$ - unless they could pull a Hundley-like deal), AND he becomes a 10-5 guy in 2007 (I think). Seems to me the no-trade is insurance against getting dealt in out years.

I say offer him 4 years at 9 each - overpaying, but less than Pudge. He's worth more to the Sox than any other team and if it helps keep Schilling happy, well you've got that going for you too.

Look, remember a couple of year ago when JV broke his elbow and was out for the year? The Red Sox pitching staff went from one of the best to middle of the road at best.

JV has made that pitching staff one of the best in baseball year in and year out. And there is no better way to judge a catcher.

Let Varitek walk. Very very few players are worth 55 million$ over 5 years at the age of 32 to 36. Varitek can hardly be considered one of them.

I disagree about contracts being rewards for past performance. I realize that they are sometimes viewed that way, but they shouldn't be. Jason Varitek was paid very well during his time here. Yes, he has been very important to the team and was a big part of the championship. But he was more than fairly compensated for his services. The value of his next contract should be determined solely on what he is expected to contribute going forward. You wouldn't expect another team to reward him for his past performance, so why should it cost us extra to re-sign our own player? I thought the hometeam was supposed to get a "discount". Certainly shouldn't have to pay a premium. (And I know no Boras client has ever given a hometown discount).

The offer we made to Tek was fair. Let him shop around, and he will see that he won't get a better offer. He just better not take too long, because it would appear Theo is fully prepared to move on.