I agree that it is a little high, but if Theo keeps pulling out these bargain deals for players then we won't have too many overpaid players, and I think that we need to overpay for the players that we most need. It's not just Varitek's hitting. It's the whole package. The leadership, the defense, how he helps the pitching staff, overall knowledge of the game. The play that most sticks out to me was in Game 3 of the 2003 ALDS, when Byrnes didn't touch the plate, and how Varitek was immediately alert and got the ball and tagged. These are the things that makes Varitek worth re-signing.