Will soon to be 35 Tek bounce back?

[MANNYHOF24]

I know Tek is getting up there in age but, I really think he will work himself into great shape this winter and have a bounce back year. I expect 270. Between 17-20 Jacks and about 75 RBIS. That would be huge for the club next year. I mean with his skills behind the plate his offense is a nice bonus.

[jacksonianmarch]

Not likely. Typically catchers slide with age faster than others and Tek is coming off a serious enough knee injury that it cost him 6 weeks of the season. Add that extra yr of age and he will likely not do much better than last yrs putrid stats.

[Rdsxmbnt]

I think he'll hit a little better than last year, probaly a .750 OPS, but his days of .850+ OPS are probaly over. Hes still extremely valuable to this team though

[Fried Neckbones]

As much as I hate to say it, I don't think so either. I can't think of many catchers who continued to produce offensivly after 35 (Fisk, really) let alone any who were over 30 and came back after a serious injury. I really hope that Tek is the first and that he proves me wrong, but I'd be suprised to see much more than .250, 10, 45. Even that would be good for next year.

[Gom]

No. As much as I respect him as a player, he is on the quick decline typical for catchers.

[AirPantapas]

I hope he can but I doubt it.

[Matt]

Since everybody else is doubting him, I'll go ahead and say that 'Tek will bounce back this season. He'll at least put up better numbers than last season, which shouldn't be too difficult.

[rician blast]

Basing my opinion on what I saw, as opposed to just the raw numbers, I thought Tek looked horrible at the plate last year. His swing, his timing, his pitch selection were all shaky. Personally I don't expect much from him offensively. Then again, this is a guy who (I think) in 2003's ALCS was batting 9th for the Sox behind Billy Mueller. I think that he belongs at the bottom of the order anyway, so if he can still handle the staff effectively and be strong behind the plate, I'm ok with a .260, 12-15 HR type season (provided Manny is still here and there's some production coming out of the 6-7 spots).

[BSN07]

TEK is a huge part of this team, a leader of the clubhouse and pitching staff. I have to look at this froom an un bias position tho. Tek is not likely to bounce back with big numbers. He might have a better BA or OBP but as far as power numbers go I just don't see him being able to put them up.

 

I think this might be Tek's last year as the full time catcher. With Kottras waiting in the wings( and from what I hear hes a solid prospect). He will have one year left on his contact after this year, and will probably and hopefully spend 2008 grooming Kottras on how to run the pitching staff. It's too bad his bat wasn't a little better, maybe then he could play some 1B for them on occasion to give his knees some rest.

 

On a side note, with his preperations for games and his handeling of the pitching staff( if you didn't realize how big a factor he was, look what happened when he wasn't there) does anyone see the SOX offering him a coaching job when his contract is up( or when he decides to stop playing)? As a bench coach or maybe a pitching coach assistant or something.Something that would keep him involved with the pitchers prep for game. I mean he would have to be valuable in that sort of way wouldn't he?

[jacksonianmarch]

Tek can bat put up Mike Matheny #s and his worth to the team will still be felt. The guy is a frickin gamer.

[riverside sluggers]

TEK is a huge part of this team, a leader of the clubhouse and pitching staff. I have to look at this froom an un bias position tho. Tek is not likely to bounce back with big numbers. He might have a better BA or OBP but as far as power numbers go I just don't see him being able to put them up.

 

I think this might be Tek's last year as the full time catcher. With Kottras waiting in the wings( and from what I hear hes a solid prospect). He will have one year left on his contact after this year, and will probably and hopefully spend 2008 grooming Kottras on how to run the pitching staff. It's too bad his bat wasn't a little better, maybe then he could play some 1B for them on occasion to give his knees some rest.

 

On a side note, with his preperations for games and his handeling of the pitching staff( if you didn't realize how big a factor he was, look what happened when he wasn't there) does anyone see the SOX offering him a coaching job when his contract is up( or when he decides to stop playing)? As a bench coach or maybe a pitching coach assistant or something.Something that would keep him involved with the pitchers prep for game. I mean he would have to be valuable in that sort of way wouldn't he?

 

I definitely see Tek being a lfetime Red Sox. This coming season is looking like his last official full season as a starter, and hopefully as you said 2008 will split duties with Kottaras. Then for the next several years see him as the backup catcher. Very good bet of him bein offered coaching/managing jobs in the Sox minor leagues when he retires. No doubt I think he's going to be a great manager someday

[a700hitter]

Tek can bat put up Mike Matheny #s and his worth to the team will still be felt. The guy is a frickin gamer.

He is a gamer, but if his bat does not make a recovery, he has little left in the way of physical skills. Occasionally, he can throw out a 40 year old DH, but he usually cannot throw out anyone with all of his limbs. His value is in handling a pitching staff which will not be affected by age.

[TGov]

i really think Tek will have a bounce back season... he got injuried last year, he was set off track from playing baseball everyday... hes one of those guys that jsut keeps coming, he is such a hard worker, hustles down the line every chance he gets, and hes a catcher(u no catchers, bad knees, dont run well), but hes got decent speed and hell use it... hell, HES THE CAPTAIN... i wouldnt expect anything else... Varitek is Varitek, i can't wait to see him and the team next year...

[jacksonianmarch]

tgov, he was terrible offensively prior to his injury.

[example1]

We will be very, very happy to have a healthy Jason Varitek this season (god-willing) whether he is hitting extremely well or not. The guy blocks balls very well, calls a good game, can block the plate like nobody I've seen before, and is constant and reassuring behind the plate.

[BoSox34]

I hope he can but it's not likely. He was never a great athlete and he isn't getting any younger. I wouldn't expect a big comeback season and also his risk of injury is higher. Hopefully the catcher we acquired from SD is the real deal.