I don't think Theo's going to pay Vartiek the 5 years, god willing I'd love to have a GM with that kind of intellegence on our team.
I consider myself a follower of all things baseball, and I think Shoppach will be a Jason Vartiek clone, with more homeruns. I don't, however, believe Shoppach is ready. He needs one more year, and then he can take over.
Maybe the Sox can do, resign Mirabelli to catch on 3 days, and another catcher, possibly Sandy Martinez, or a cheap catcher to catch on the other 2. Call Shoppach up in Septemeber, and see what he can do.
If I would sign Vartiek to any contract it would be a 2 year 16 million dollar deal, with a no trade clause. Possibly a 10 million dollar team option.