Tagged: Jason Varitex

Who Will Start at Shortstop?!?

First- I know I said I would blog about Cole Hamels, but I decided not to.

Besides resigning Jason Varitex the Red Sox have one more need, figuring out who will play shortstop. the Red Sox have two choices being, Julio Lugo and Jed Lowrie. Lugo played 82 games last season, hit .268, with one home run, drove in twenty-two, and stole twelve. Lugo also had a .945 fielding percentage before getting injured. Lowrie was called up after Lugo got hurt and played in 81 games, hit .258, with two home runs, drove in 46, and stole one base. One big difference is their age. Lugo is 33 while Lowrie is only twenty-four. Lowrie made two errors last season at third base which isn’t even his main position. Lowrie can play shortstop, third base, and second base. If you based the choice on stats Jed Lowrie would start. The Red Sox currently don’t have a utility man though. So since Lowrie can play three positions I would trade Lugo for a prospect and a utility man. I could also trade Lugo for a young catcher. The only problem with that is Lugo gets paid $9,250,000 and no team really needs Lugo. Lugo in one word is overpaid. A while a g there was a proposed trade that would have sent Lugo to the Tigers and Dontrelle Willis or Nate Robinson to Boston. Wills, who won the 2003 National League Rookie of the Year Award with the Flordia Marlins got sent to single A ball this season. This season he had a record of zero wins and two loses, had an ERA of 9.38, and had only eighteen strikeouts, in twenty-four innings. He also walked 35. One good thing about Wills, he is a high risk low reward type of guy so he will not becoming to Boston. He also will not come to the Red Sox because we have enough starting pitchers. I would put my money on both to share shortstop with Lugo getting a little more playing time. Also this is kind of random. Jed Lowrie needs a nickname. How about Jed the Jet?
Lowrie3_medium
 Late breakdown: A ninth-inning error...

Progress With Varitex

First- Manny and the Dodgers are still just talking.

Second- Carlos Zambrano has to get LASIK eye surgery on his right eye.
Third- Tom Glavine threw of the mound for the first time since shoulder and elbow surgery. Glavine, a free agent, is a low risk high reward player. I think he could come to Boston because of that and his long time teammate, Jon Smoltz signed with the Red Sox. More on that soon.
Third- After the San Diego Padres signed David Eckstein the Texas Rangers want Omar Vizquel.
Forth- Just a quick shout out to got milb? and District Boy who made my link list.
Jason Varitex wants to stay in Boston and the Red Sox want him back. Jason Varitex meet with Red Sox owner John Henry, The meeting was requested by Varitex. They spoke one on one for 90 minutes. Varitex said that the meeting was “okay” as he put it. Varitex could have been lying because maybe he didn’t want the media to know about something. Henry had no comment. They meeting was just Henry and Varitex so that means Scott Boras, Teo Epstein, or any one else. Varitex, a switch hitter, turns 37 in April. Varitex hit .220, with 13 home runs, and drove in 43. He also threw out 16 runners and caught Jon Lester’s no hitter. Varitex managed to make the all-star game last season as the back up catcher. The Red Sox signed catcher Josh Bard this month. They also let knuckle ball catcher, Kevin Cash leave. Cash then signed with the New York Yankees. Varitex has been with the Red Sox for twelve seasons. Derek Lowe, who recently signed with the Atlanta Braves, and Varitex were traded from the Seattle Mariners to the Red Sox in 1997. In 2002 Varitex caught Derek Lowe’s no hitter. Both had great seasons with the Red Sox. I hope Varitex comes back to Boston. I mean what other catcher has caught four no hitters? No one. Yes, he is getting old and he had a down year last season but he is a Red Sox legend. The city of Boston loves Varitex. Having Varitex go would be like Johnny Damon going to the Yankees. Okay, that was a little to dramatic. So Mr. Varitex if your reading this right now come back to Boston.
Clockwise from top left) Jason Varitek has been behind the plate for gems by Hideo Nomo, Derek Lowe, Clay Buchholz and now Jon Lester.


Top Left- Hideo Nomo’s no hitter in 2001.

Top Right- Derek Lowe’s no hitter in 2002.

Bottom Right- Clay Buchholz’s no hitter in 2007.

Bottom Left- Jon Lester’s no hitter in 2008.





Jason Varitek gives Alex Rodriguez a face full of catcher's mitt, setting off a benches-clearing incident July 24.

Varitex stands up for the Red Sox, I mean no glove no love.

Baldelli, Penny, Smoltz, Saito, and Kotsay

First- Sorry I didn’t blog the past few days, I had a ton of home work.

Second- Wow. A lot of news since I haven’t been blogging.
Third most of those moves have been by the Red Sox
Roco Baldelli
player
Roco Baldelli signed with the Red Sox on a $500,000 with some performance incentives. Roco played for the Tampa Bay Rays last year. Roco grew up in Rhode Island only 50 miles away from Fenway Park. Baldelli will probably be the forth outfielder unless the Red Sox trade Jacoby Ellsbury for catching help. Which sadly means if that happened Jason Varitex wouldn’t be coming back. Baldelli had rare mitochondrial disease, but got an update and the disease he now has is highly treatable. Baldelli will wear number five. The first Red Sox since Nomar Garciaparra. Baldelli is 27 years old. This year Baldelli won the Tony Conigliaro award, given to the player that overcomes adversity. Baldelli has been know for his strong character, spirt, and is a great influence in the clubhouse.
Brad Penny

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Brad Penny officially became a Red Sox today, on a one year deal. He passed his physical and will join the rotation in spring. Penny was an all-star in 2006 and 2007 with the Dodgers. In 2008 he was hurt. Penny will get payed $5 million dollars plus performance incentives up to $3 million. Penny is 30 years old. Brad Penny has a carer record of 94-75, a 4.06 ERA, and 1,032 strikeouts. The Red Sox rotation is now set, Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, Dice-K, Tim Wakefield, Brad Penny, and Jon Smoltz by June (more on him in a second). Penny spent nine years in the National League before joining the Red Sox.


Jon Smoltz 

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Jon Smoltz signed the offer sheet from the Red Sox. The deal is worth $5.5 million plus incentives which could bring the total to $10 million dollars. Smoltz will not be able to play till June. Smoltz is 41 years old and has played with the Braves his whole carer, 21 years before joining the Red Sox. Smoltz has a 210-147 carer record, a 3.26 ERA, 3,011 strike outs, and 154 carer saves. One thing is will he start or be in the pen. I think Smoltz would be the ultimate setup man in the Boston bullpen.  

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Takashi Saito

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Takashi Saito signed with the Red Sox on a one year deal with a club option for 2010. I found this out when I was working on this entry. Saito was the Dodgers closer last year and will now be a setup man/ back up closer. Saito was hurt for most of 2008. Satio’s deal is worth between $1.5 million and $2.5 million. He could earn up to $7 million if he does all of his incentives. Saito is 38 and will join Manny Delcarmen, Hideki Okajima, Justin Masterson and maybe Jon Smoltz in a great Boston bullpen. Saito will also join Dice-K and Okajima as three Japanese born players on the same team.

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Mark Kotsay

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Mark Kotsay resigned with the Red Sox on a one year, $1.5 million dollar deal. The deal would also include incentives that are unknown. Kotsay was a vital clog during the Red Sox postseason run last year. When Mike Lowell went down, Youk moved to third and Kotsay who plays outfield most of the time moved to first. Last year in 22 games for Boston Kotsay hit 19 hits, zero home runs, 12 RBI’s, and had a .226 batting average. Kotsay has played 12 years with the Marlins, Padres, A’s, Braves, and Red Sox. Kotsay had zero errors in the outfield and one error at first base last year.


I hope the next move I get to blog about is Jason Varitex resigning with Boston.

Pat The Bat

First- Since there is news to blog about look for Red Sox, Yankees, Rays to continue when there is no news to blog about or during spring training.

Second- Milton Bradley signed with the Cubs pending a physical on a three year $30 million dollar deal. Look for more on that tomorrow.
Third- Jason Giambi is expected to go to the Oakland A’s.
Forth- Twins owner Carl Pohald died today.
WOW! Is the hot stove heating up two all-star players are close to signing while one signed today. Pat Burrell signed with the Tampa Bay Rays today on a two year $16 million dollar contract. Pat the Bat won the World Series with the Phillies beating the team he signed with today the Tampa Bay Rays. Burrell is 32 and the right handed slugger the Rays have needed forever. Burrell is a veteran who can help the Rays this year. Burrell will probably be the DH with the A’s. Burrell walks a lot while he hit 33 home runs, had a .250 batting average and drove in 86 RBI’s. The move by the Rays kind of keeps them up with the Yankees who signed C.C. Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, and Mark Teixeira along with former Red Sox Kevin Cash. Burrell will help the Rays who know have to play with people watching them. Even with the signing Tampa Bay will not compete, because Longoria and others will have to make changes, which will give the Rays a not so good first month, half, or who knows it could take a week for Longoria to make his changes. Now that the Hot Stove is heating up maybe Varitex will sign with Boston soon.
Burrell

Yankees Get Cash

There is a new name to add to the list of Red Sox traitors, and that is Kevin Cash. The New York Post is reporting that the Yankees signed Kevin Cash to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training. Cash became a free agent after Boston non-tendered him. Cash played the last two seasons with the Red Sox. How can the Yankees afford anyone else! I mean selling tickets for a quarter. How are they going to make money to afford Tex’, C.C., A.J., A-Rod, Jeter, and now Cash. Yes I know Cash will not get payed 100 million dollars but still. Cash will join another Red Sox traitor Johnny Damon if he makes the majors and not AAA. Which I’m sure he will be the third catcher for the Yankees. He also could join another Red Sox traitor Manny. I don’t think Manny will go to the yankees probably the Dodgers. The Yankees have so many traitors to the Red Sox they should change their name to the, Traitors. Okay maybe that is a little exaggerated. The Red Sox need to find a catcher soon as maybe the sign Paul Lo Duca, a guy who could back-up or start, in case they can’t get Varitex. 

KEVIN CASH Handles knuckler

Why did the Red Sox Bring David Ross to the Playoffs

Top 7 reasons that it was smart are stupid

7-He’s 27 he’s hopeless (sorry)
6-They should have brought more bullpen

5-Tex and Cash (maybe Cash) will teach him
4-It’s a test to see if he’ll do well.
3-It will give him some experience when Jason Varitex retires he might back up for Cash, unless they go get a guy from the market
 
2-It gives the Sox a pinch hitter with Cora, Crisp, Mark, Casey, and maybe Cash he should get a few
 
1-If they use Wakefield out of the bullpen Cash will catch but if he gets tired he can fill in

Why the Red Sox will be a dynasty

The Red sox will be a dynasty because they
have vets., young talent, guys in there prime, a good minor
league system and $$$$$. With young talent Jacoby Ellsbury,
Jed Lowire, Justin Masterson, Jon Lester,and Dustin Pedoria.
Vets Mark Kotsay, Paul Byrd, Tim Wakefield, Jason Varitex,
Mike Lowell, and Sean Casey. Guys in there prime like Jason
Bay, J.D. Drew, Josh Beckett, Dice-K, Paps, Manny Delcarmen
(the new manny), Papi, Youk, and Oak.The Yanks will stink
will the steinbreniner bros. because they stink! The rays
will stink because of no vets. but the o’s and jays will
compete by 2012. The Sox will win 08 and i honestly think
that as a baseball fan.