In a word, yes. The Sox have no certain replacements for Varitek. He knows this, Boras knows this. I don't think the Red Sox would care if they had to pay him $1 million per year more as long as he accepts a two year deal.
On multiple occasions last season, the Sox had the late game on ESPN followed by a west coast trip.
I agree that it needs to be addressed but it is a league-wide problem and not centered around the Yankees.
Besides, the Lowell comp doesn't really hold water because he was coming off a WS MVP season and was looking for a four year deal.
Tek will be coming off a struggle of a season, looking for a 2-3 year deal.
2 million = significant pay cut, but a slight raise?
Besides, the Sox won't care about paying him $1 million more per year if he accepts a two year deal (which is what the Sox really want)
What's the difference between 2/22 and 2/18, especially if there aren't any "certain" replacements in our system?
The Sox won't care about $4 mil over two years - they gave that much to Alex Cora