An Offer He Can Refuse

WEEI.com is now reporting - though our reader Gary in Indiana posted these numbers in our comment section last night - that the Red Sox's offer to Jason Varitek is at $5m in 2009, with a $5m team option versus a $3m player option for 2010... A 2/8 contract that can bump up to 2/10.

There is no more sugar-coating this.  Assuming the absense of a competing bidder, declining arbitration was a sloppy and costly mistake.

Comments

[Gary in Indiana]

Now that the numbers of the Red Sox offer are known, there is another possible interesting twist to this whole saga. The Yankees could sign Varitek and only have to give up their fourth round pick, having already given up their top three picks for three other Type A free agent signings. Tek could be used as insurance against Posada’s injury return and they can certainly afford one hole in their lineup with all of the bats they have. Add to all of that the fact that the Yankees love to do anything they can to damage the Sox (Damon comes to mind) and they have an excellent relationship with Scott Boras (remember Teixeira).

Varitek could even be used in a platoon situation with a healthy Posada, depending on who's pitching for the opposition. Remember, he hit substantially better against lefties (.269, I think) last season. If he could do that or better again this year, it would be a good move for New York for not much money.

The Yankees could even hire Heidi Watney at their YES Network. ;o)

[Gary in Indiana]

Just an update. The deadline for Varitek to accept or decline this offer is Saturday.

Also, by way of correction on my prior comment. Tek's BA from the right side was .284 last season and not .269.

[David G.]

It's true that Boras/Varitek made a mistake not accepting arbitration but they're hardly the only ones who made that mistake this winter. Look at Garland. He could've gotten about 12 million in arbitration and is now settling for 6-8 million. People, including Boras, did not realize how bad it was going to be for free agents.