Sox still pursuing Tek

[BoSox21]

I smell an incentive-laden, 1 year/$5 million deal coming

[Dojji]

The only problem I have with signing Tek as I think about it is the likelihood that Tito will use him as if he was still 2004-05 Tek, out of respect for him if nothing else.

 

The problem there is that we have other catching options who can hit better who need to take on leadership roles in the ligh likelihood that Varitek can't do it offensively anymore. Varitek is going to be the presumptive starter for as long as he's on the roster and as much as I'd like him back as long as he's willing to take on a reduced role, I don't want him starting over someone who's putting up better numbers.

[BSN07]

The only problem I have with signing Tek as I think about it is the likelihood that Tito will use him as if he was still 2004-05 Tek, out of respect for him if nothing else.

 

The problem there is that we have other catching options who can hit better who need to take on leadership roles in the ligh likelihood that Varitek can't do it offensively anymore. Varitek is going to be the presumptive starter for as long as he's on the roster and as much as I'd like him back as long as he's willing to take on a reduced role, I don't want him starting over someone who's putting up better numbers.

 

This is just my opinion but, I think this is why Tek said the meeting went ok. And not good. I think Henry told him the club was interested, but Tek will have to come back at their price, and his role will not be the same. He will split time with Bard in a platoon type situation. It's not what Tek was looking for, but at this moment I think he would deem that "ok".

[Jacoby_Ellsbury]

fuzc that anum bubm paritar boraaai s f***eek d hsi sthit up asof***ing scot aorborarasa lolaa

[MANNYHOF24]

fuzc that anum bubm paritar boraaai s f***eek d hsi sthit up asof***ing scot aorborarasa lolaa

 

Someone is already wasted. It's only 9:45, pace yourself! haha.

[Jacoby_Ellsbury]

Awwwww man another site banned me cuz they think I was hacked lol.

 

 

 

sorry guys i was f***ing canned earlier. im a little better now but still feeling buzzed.

[WhiskeyBreath]

Is Wieters ready to go?

 

He should be. They signed Zaun recently so I think they might hold Wieters back until late April or June so he doesn't get a full year of service time in.

[italstallianion]

Awwwww man another site banned me cuz they think I was hacked lol.

 

 

 

sorry guys i was f***ing canned earlier. im a little better now but still feeling buzzed.

 

 

It's cool, I just assumed that you were Scottish...

[jacksonianmarch]

So listening to EEI, it sounds like Varitek has nowhere else to turn. Nobody else is interested in him especially with the type A classification and the sox are playing it cool, acting as if they dont even want or need him. One interesting thing that was brought up in terms of Varitek declining arb is that he didnt think he'd have a spot with the team if he did that. That brings up an interesting dialogue. Because arbitration cases are not necessarily guaranteed contracts until the season starts. So a case can go to arb, the player can get what he wants and the team can cut him prior to opening day and only pay a fraction of the cost. Is this Tek's excuse for royally f-ing himself. I highly doubt the sox would cut their captain of 4 yrs if he accepted arbitration. Regardless, I see him retiring if he doesnt get at least 5 mil a yr. I think the 2 is a slap in the face to a guy of his leadership stature, at least from his end. But what is he worth? His offense would make one think he should be a backup catcher. And the typical backup catcher is what, 750K-2mil a yr? I think Tek is gonna end up back in Boston. He'll probably get a 2 yr deal at 4-5 mil per and then ride off into the sunset as a coach in the minors somewhere

[Cocos Disciples]

I wouldn't want to sign him for two years.

[Dojji]

http://icanhascheezburger.files.wordpress.com/2007/04/do-not-want.jpg

[mvp 78]

I wouldn't want to sign him for two years.

 

Except that having him around and helping to mentor his younger replacement for two years would be a great idea. Now we just need to actually find that other guy. Bard, Brown, and Kott aren't it.

 

Right now, there isn't a better option than signing Tek.

[italstallianion]

Except that having him around and helping to mentor his younger replacement for two years would be a great idea. Now we just need to actually find that other guy. Bard, Brown, and Kott aren't it.

 

Right now, there isn't a better option than signing Tek.

 

 

Just for the record, we don't necessarily have to have Varitek PLAY catcher for him to mentor a young trainee for the 2 years. We could have him play next year and then have him as a "catcher coach" or some managing position.

 

In other words, we could have Varitek train a rookie AND not have his black hole in the lineup is what I'm saying. I don't know the rules regarding managing positions or anything, but having Varitek mentor someone does not guarantee that we have to sign him as a player for the duration.

[mvp 78]

Just for the record, we don't necessarily have to have Varitek PLAY catcher for him to mentor a young trainee for the 2 years. We could have him play next year and then have him as a "catcher coach" or some managing position.

 

In other words, we could have Varitek train a rookie AND not have his black hole in the lineup is what I'm saying. I don't know the rules regarding managing positions or anything, but having Varitek mentor someone does not guarantee that we have to sign him as a player for the duration.

 

 

And what if he has zero interest in "just being a coach?"

 

I just think you can plug him in there for 3 out of 5 games this year and then 1 out of 5 games next year while still enjoying his leadership qualities.

[italstallianion]

And what if he has zero interest in "just being a coach?"

 

I just think you can plug him in there for 3 out of 5 games this year and then 1 out of 5 games next year while still enjoying his leadership qualities.

 

 

 

Then he can go fornicate himself with an iron stick. I mean if he wouldn't want to be a "coach" or whatever position he'd be at, then I doubt he'd be of much use teaching a rookie if he were a player anyway.

 

I mean considering our options I'm fine bringing him back for this next year, but at a reduced salary. I'll withold judgment on the 2010 season depending on how Varitek does this season. If he does well then I'd probably sign him or offer him something for 2010, but otherwise I'd let him go.

 

Again, we're basically arguing hypotheticals here. We'll see how low Varitek is willing to go salary-wise. He should sue Boras for malpractice...hahaha

[Cocos Disciples]

Right now, there isn't a better option than signing Tek.

 

Besides not signing Tek.

[Dipre]

Then he can go fornicate himself with an iron stick. I mean if he wouldn't want to be a "coach" or whatever position he'd be at, then I doubt he'd be of much use teaching a rookie if he were a player anyway.

 

I mean considering our options I'm fine bringing him back for this next year, but at a reduced salary. I'll withold judgment on the 2010 season depending on how Varitek does this season. If he does well then I'd probably sign him or offer him something for 2010, but otherwise I'd let him go.

 

Again, we're basically arguing hypotheticals here. We'll see how low Varitek is willing to go salary-wise. He should sue Boras for malpractice...hahaha

 

Props.

 

For the record, CD, Varitek is a valuable member of this team, he should be resigned, and kept on the roster while we find the "catcher of the future", who should ideally be mentored by 'Tek himself.

[Cocos Disciples]

I don't mind re-signing him. I would wait until mid-February, since nobody else is signing him. We could probably get him for cheaper on a one year deal. I also wouldn't mind just going in another direction via trade.

[italstallianion]

I still think we should have a trade anyway. I don't see Bard being our catcher of the future, and if we can find a deal to our liking I may not have Bard on the roster at all. I mean we can afford to give up a pitching prospect or so, but we don't want to make a habit of getting screwed over by the Rangers in trades.

[BSN07]

I don't mind re-signing him. I would wait until mid-February' date=' since nobody else is signing him. We could probably get him for cheaper on a one year deal. I also wouldn't mind just going in another direction via trade.[/quote']

 

It's as if you plucked the words out of my mouth, well my fingers anyway.

[a700hitter]

The Sox have made Varitek an offer:

 

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/

[JimEdHOF2009]

Scanning some other Sox boards it is being reported that Tek's divorce is just being finalized this week... This would make some sense as I am sure Tek would rather sign his new contract after the divorce is completely finalized. I am not hip to Georgia's divorce laws but one would think she may have some claim to a good portion of any contract signed before the divorce is finalized.

 

That being said I think it is blatantly obvious the Sox need Tek and he needs them. I expect him to sign a 1 year $7 mill contract with a club option for year 2 that would push the deal to around $12 mill.. I would also not be surprised to see 2 years/$12 mill.

[Jacoby_Ellsbury]

Props.

 

He stole it from Family Guy.

 

 

 

Therefore, he FAILs.

[Dipre]

He stole it from Family Guy.

 

 

 

Therefore, he FAILs.

 

Nah, i gave him the benefit of WIN for proper use, not copyright.

[laxtonto]

The problem I have with this entire Tek problem is that he has 0 leverage at this point. Once he declined arbitration and had FA compensation attached to his signing a new contract, he lost all leverage. No team is going to sign him at the cost of their 1st round pick or early 2nd rounder.

 

That leaves teams that have already signed a Class A FA. The problem is that NYY will not sign him, not becasue they would lose a 4th rounder but because the Sox would gain a Supplemental 1st with his loss. The Angels, Philly, Atlanta and Mets have no need for Tek.

 

Without a market Tek has 3 options. Take whatever deal the Sox offer, wait until after the draft and his attached compensation expires and sign elsewhere, or beg the team to sign him and trade him. That are the only possible outcomes, with none very plausible for the Sox at his initial reported price.

 

Tek's best bet would be to take a deal very similar to Greg Zaun's :1.5M for 09 with a team option for 2M in 10 with a 500K buyout.

 

The second major flaw I see in this is that the only way team will recieve any FA compensation after the 2009 season is to replicate his his 2007 numbers. He was the second to last in the class A Catcher group. Truthfully it would probably serve the team and Tek better to have a year just slightly less than his 07 year and qualify for class B status. That way he does not cost other teams a 1st round pick and yet build value to get a new contract. The best possible scenario would include a clause that says he will not accept arbitration in 09 or 10 to guarantee his making the FA market.

 

My proposed deal would be to offer Tek 1.75 for 09 and 2.25 for 10 with a 750K buyout with a clause that would prohibit Tek and his agent from accepting arbitration in 09 or 10.

 

That lets Boras and Tek save some face because it is a multi year deal making more than Zaun, while the team maintains enough flexibility to still make a deal for a younger Catcher.

[example1]

I see people are advocating waiting a few more weeks to get Tek, but am I the only one that would be slightly concerned if he signed with, say, the Dodgers or Padres tomorrow? (just examples)

 

I can rationalize the benefit of a 1st round pick any day of the week, but I also think this team needs a better option than Josh Bard. Whether that is one of the mentioned possibilities like Teagarden, Saltalamacchia or Montero, or resigning Tek, they are going to need someone, even if it is someone like Montero who, with Bard, and their AAA level catchers, could allow a good competition to take place. I just don't like the chances of only two of those catchers competing for the spot. I think Tek still has some hand until the Sox have that other option in place.

[JimEdHOF2009]

I see people are advocating waiting a few more weeks to get Tek' date=' but am I the only one that would be [i']slightly[/i] concerned if he signed with, say, the Dodgers or Padres tomorrow? (just examples)

 

I can rationalize the benefit of a 1st round pick any day of the week, but I also think this team needs a better option than Josh Bard. Whether that is one of the mentioned possibilities like Teagarden, Saltalamacchia or Montero, or resigning Tek, they are going to need someone, even if it is someone like Montero who, with Bard, and their AAA level catchers, could allow a good competition to take place. I just don't like the chances of only two of those catchers competing for the spot. I think Tek still has some hand until the Sox have that other option in place.

 

I would be MOST concerned if Tek signed with Tampa...That young staff doesn't need anymore help.. Tek would be a perfect fit there. I think the Yankees could really help their young guys by adding Tek as well...plus, it would be another nice jab at the Sox.

[italstallianion]

He stole it from Family Guy.

 

 

 

Therefore, he FAILs.

 

 

 

No, you'll find that I'll use many lines from Family Guy. And I never said that it was my original idea or anything. Do you really want me to have a works cited??

 

Also I'd have to be wrong, or fail at something in order to fail. I agree with you that the failblog is much better than lolcats, but I certainly didn't fail.

[italstallianion]

The problem I have with this entire Tek problem is that he has 0 leverage at this point. Once he declined arbitration and had FA compensation attached to his signing a new contract, he lost all leverage. No team is going to sign him at the cost of their 1st round pick or early 2nd rounder.

 

That leaves teams that have already signed a Class A FA. The problem is that NYY will not sign him, not becasue they would lose a 4th rounder but because the Sox would gain a Supplemental 1st with his loss. The Angels, Philly, Atlanta and Mets have no need for Tek.

 

Without a market Tek has 3 options. Take whatever deal the Sox offer, wait until after the draft and his attached compensation expires and sign elsewhere, or beg the team to sign him and trade him. That are the only possible outcomes, with none very plausible for the Sox at his initial reported price.

 

Tek's best bet would be to take a deal very similar to Greg Zaun's :1.5M for 09 with a team option for 2M in 10 with a 500K buyout.

 

The second major flaw I see in this is that the only way team will recieve any FA compensation after the 2009 season is to replicate his his 2007 numbers. He was the second to last in the class A Catcher group. Truthfully it would probably serve the team and Tek better to have a year just slightly less than his 07 year and qualify for class B status. That way he does not cost other teams a 1st round pick and yet build value to get a new contract. The best possible scenario would include a clause that says he will not accept arbitration in 09 or 10 to guarantee his making the FA market.

 

My proposed deal would be to offer Tek 1.75 for 09 and 2.25 for 10 with a 750K buyout with a clause that would prohibit Tek and his agent from accepting arbitration in 09 or 10.

 

That lets Boras and Tek save some face because it is a multi year deal making more than Zaun, while the team maintains enough flexibility to still make a deal for a younger Catcher.

 

 

 

 

And it doesn't put a dent in our collective wallet. I like your idea. I'd be prepared to offer slightly higher, but I'm talking about a 250-500k difference. I'd prefer to sign Varitek (at that price) and do the trade and possibly get rid of Bard period. But I wouldn't be surprised if Theo and company see something in Bard that I don't...

[BSN07]

Scanning some other Sox boards it is being reported that Tek's divorce is just being finalized this week... This would make some sense as I am sure Tek would rather sign his new contract after the divorce is completely finalized. I am not hip to Georgia's divorce laws but one would think she may have some claim to a good portion of any contract signed before the divorce is finalized.

 

That being said I think it is blatantly obvious the Sox need Tek and he needs them. I expect him to sign a 1 year $7 mill contract with a club option for year 2 that would push the deal to around $12 mill.. I would also not be surprised to see 2 years/$12 mill.

 

I've been saying this for weeks.