Would Jason Veritek be a good option?

by wfree0104 on Jan 12, 2009 4:25 PM CST

There seems to be no one showing intrest in Veritek around baseball. One of the recent ESPN reports state that the Red Sox are making other plans at catcher, and may offer him a one year 3/mil take it or leave it type offer. While there is no doubt he is not the same player he once was, he could be a nice lefthanded backup at C/1B. By all accounts he is a great leader in the clubhouse, and he has played on championship teams.

I have to think this would be better than Paul Bako, if he is willing to take on a back-up role.

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He's too expensive to be a backup.

Plus he had a 73 OPS+ last year. Paul Bako might actually be a better hitter.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Jan 12, 2009 4:31 PM CST reply actions

isnt he looking for 10mm +?

This is a silly idea.

-clarknaddison

by clarknaddison on Jan 12, 2009 5:05 PM CST up reply actions

I haven't seen anywhere that he would be seeking that kind of money

I was thinking a good deal at 2-4 range, but I didn’t know he would cost a draft pick.

by wfree0104 on Jan 12, 2009 6:13 PM CST up reply actions

He thought he could get more (long term deal)

because he turned down arbitration. He would have gotten somewhere around $10 -11 million for 2009 if he had accepted arbitration from the Red Sox.

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on Jan 12, 2009 7:30 PM CST up reply actions

+1

There’s no way we can afford someone like Varitek. Varitek will turn into Sosa, someone who probably can play somewhere as a backup but will refuse to take a backup option or anything less than what they were worth at the height of their career.

"If I were playing third base and my mother were rounding third with the run that was going to beat us, I'd trip her. Oh, I'd pick her up and brush her off and say, 'Sorry, Mom,' but nobody beats me." ~ Leo Durocher

by Musicdude10 on Jan 12, 2009 9:55 PM CST up reply actions

No

n/t

by socalbob on Jan 12, 2009 4:40 PM CST reply actions

We're Looking At...

… a <$1M backup here…

My 2008 Christmas wish list includes this jersey. In Hendry We Trust!

by initram on Jan 12, 2009 4:50 PM CST reply actions

The Cubs would also have to give up their

1st round draft pick as the Red Sox offered ’Tek arbitration. A back-up catcher is not worth that price.

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on Jan 12, 2009 4:50 PM CST reply actions

'twould seem the answer is no.

RIP Ron Asheton (1948-2009)

by daver on Jan 12, 2009 4:52 PM CST reply actions

i wouldnt mind him

If he didnt cost us a pick, but that being said. Probly wont work out.

by Kchance on Jan 12, 2009 5:05 PM CST reply actions

No...

He’s alot like Ivan Rodriguez, in that they just don’t seem to able to come off a bench a few times a week and remain productive and energized.

Coupled with the cost, I’d keep looking for someone who has been proven to be adjusted to that role. I hear Brad Ausmus may un-retire, by the way.

by Damen Jackson on Jan 12, 2009 5:06 PM CST reply actions

Ausmus

If he heads anywhere, barring a surprise, it’s either Houston or somewhere in California, probably San Diego.

by toonsterwu on Jan 12, 2009 6:17 PM CST up reply actions

I imagine the Cubs could get Ausmus

and if you are looking for a really smart catcher who gets on well with pitchers but can’t hit a lick you might as well take him
over Varitek. Besides we need a nice Jewish boy to replace Marquis. However it does appear Bako is coming.

"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry

by Doggie Stalker on Jan 12, 2009 6:28 PM CST up reply actions

I heard an interview by Ausmus recently (XM maybe?)

He said he would only play for a West coast team. He lives in California and at this point in his career, he doesn’t want to go very far from home.

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on Jan 12, 2009 7:32 PM CST up reply actions

Ausmus?

Please. He’s 40 and I thought he was going to retire.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Jan 12, 2009 7:36 PM CST up reply actions

Exactly,

he said he’d either play for a West coast team or retire.

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on Jan 12, 2009 8:04 PM CST up reply actions

Varitek 3 years ago, yes without a doubt

however he is declining rapidly and he’s also wanting waay too much

Erm, well if we are going to call Milton Bradley nicknames, mine is Fischer Price: yes, you heard it here first..

by Chanman25 on Jan 12, 2009 5:31 PM CST reply actions

no

i live in boston – trust me…NO

"I'll play any day. I don't care if I'm 0-for-30, playing baseball is my PASSION. I'll go out and play." - Geo Soto

by CubbyBlues on Jan 12, 2009 5:40 PM CST reply actions

won't happen

by elgato on Jan 12, 2009 5:44 PM CST reply actions

I didn't realize he would be a type A free agent.

Ausmus could be a good be a good option. I live near Houston, and they love him around here for some reason

by wfree0104 on Jan 12, 2009 6:07 PM CST reply actions

CALL HANK WHITE...............

Varitek has no gas left in the tank,,,,or am I missing something ???

by cubs north on Jan 12, 2009 6:17 PM CST reply actions

Hank might not even come back

especially after that awful incident..

Erm, well if we are going to call Milton Bradley nicknames, mine is Fischer Price: yes, you heard it here first..

by Chanman25 on Jan 12, 2009 6:23 PM CST up reply actions

NO

NO, and NO, I’ll look up other languages as well if needed.
He is overpriced, and a Boras client, thats just the start.
He is also getting older, and we need a good backup, not a wanna be starter.
Not to be offensive with my opinion, but there are a great deal of options that woudl be far better than signing Tek.
:::Steeping off of the bandwagon now, thank you for your support::::

by chrisw95 on Jan 12, 2009 7:14 PM CST reply actions

Nein!

Erm, well if we are going to call Milton Bradley nicknames, mine is Fischer Price: yes, you heard it here first..

by Chanman25 on Jan 12, 2009 7:17 PM CST up reply actions

Nyet!

RIP Ron Asheton (1948-2009)

by daver on Jan 13, 2009 9:54 AM CST up reply actions

No, no a thousand times no. Is that emphatic enough? I understand to

ex-RedSox thing is en vogue, but this guy is clearly on the back nine. The Cubs need a good cheap backup, not an overpriced has-been.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Jan 13, 2009 9:57 AM CST up reply actions

I would rather see us trade spare parts

for a decent AAAA backstop than Tek.
Hell, if you want an old guy to play catcher for the cubs, I’ll do it for league minimum. I did play in college. (not all that well though)

by chrisw95 on Jan 13, 2009 8:09 PM CST up reply actions

Nein !

Erm, well if we are going to call Milton Bradley nicknames, mine is Fischer Price: yes, you heard it here first..

by Chanman25 on Jan 12, 2009 7:17 PM CST reply actions

Here you go, in any language you like

http://www.elite.net/~runner/jennifers/no.htm

"Enough foreplay- let's get crackin'"- Fred Garvin

by davidalanu on Jan 12, 2009 7:53 PM CST reply actions

I was looking at that list haha!

Erm, well if we are going to call Milton Bradley nicknames, mine is Fischer Price: yes, you heard it here first..

by Chanman25 on Jan 12, 2009 8:08 PM CST up reply actions

Jason Varitek has good options

There will be teams with interest. He’s not going to make remotely the kind of money he was or still wants to make, but job security will not be an issue.

by BLou on Jan 12, 2009 9:42 PM CST reply actions

But wait!

he’s caught four no hitters. therefore he’s a hall of famer!!!!

/ESPN’d

by tal1286 on Jan 12, 2009 11:34 PM CST reply actions

Four?

Which four?

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Jan 13, 2009 4:00 AM CST up reply actions

Nomo, Lowe, Buchholz, Lester

Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team

by carmen_fanzone on Jan 13, 2009 6:33 AM CST up reply actions

Interesting.

I knew of those no-no’s, but didn’t know that Varitek caught all of them. Thanks.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Jan 13, 2009 8:55 AM CST up reply actions

he's a HOF

because he is a Red Sox, enough said, since the Yanks and Sox are baseball, at least to ESPN…

Erm, well if we are going to call Milton Bradley nicknames, mine is Fischer Price: yes, you heard it here first..

by Chanman25 on Jan 13, 2009 12:49 PM CST up reply actions

No

Adding to the chorus….

by rlpete on Jan 13, 2009 12:00 PM CST reply actions

I'd wait until all the other trade stuff shakes out

then call Hank White and see what’d it take to come back another year or 2.

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Jan 13, 2009 1:00 PM CST reply actions

No

LH hitting backup yes….Varitek no. He wouldn’t except 1 day a week or less or the money that comes with that role.

by Crazy Uncle Lou on Jan 13, 2009 2:13 PM CST reply actions

love to have him BUT

not if it was going to cost us a draft pick, I was not aware of that.

$$$ wise, if it was a great deal, just nice to have another LH veteran off the bench

so I guess the answer would be NO THANKS

"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy."
- Dodgers, Astros, Brewers, A's & Angels pitcher Don Sutton

by CubFreak on Jan 13, 2009 7:40 PM CST up reply actions

If I had to guess where Varitek ends up,

I would say the Nationals.

They have a protected first round pick. I think the Nats are going to sign Orlando Hudson which would send their 2nd round pick to Arizona. Signing Tek would send their third round pick to Boston.

Personally, it seems silly for the Nats to be interested in ANY free agents since they are so far from contending. I think they are desperate to become credible with their low attendance in the first year of a new ballpark and their dismal broadcast ratings.

It would seem the franchise is already in trouble in Washington. THAT didn’t take long, did it?

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on Jan 14, 2009 9:53 AM CST reply actions