Alex Speier, WEEI.com

I don't know I just can't help myself by think about. The WEEI dot com means in Las Vegas Alex beer rob Bradford -- and I can't help but wonder which one got the clock. Alex beer joints is again on the line hey Alex I don't. Greetings -- greeting hi Kerry goes what's going on Alex.

Precious little led you know it's it's morning and they just could not much goes on here. In India.

Yeah it's funny I I was going through all the stuff this morning and I saw. Ken Rosenthal last posts today was it 3:3 this morning that's probably prime time right.

the the amount of news increases exponentially after midnight I would say Thursday. There's a pretty active lobbies in the goes under the winter meetings and and so you you've. You'll be surprised that the number of state lines that you -- after midnight.

You say precious little is going on but I read that. Theo Epstein and John Farrell and Tito Francona our meeting with CC sabathia off campus so to speak. You read about AJ Burnett being on their radar. Just this addressed those two stories and and I guess rate. What the Red Sox level of true interest is in both players.

Sure well as you guys know the Red Sox typically try to avoid long term contracts for pitchers they've only had one contract -- system for years foray. For a pitcher under under Theo Epstein and that was the other rather unique situation that came up -- Who who is basically being signed as as a rookie so you know secure contract with -- is going to be employed four anyway. May indicate that but in the case of a guy like -- the it qualify it's clearly is as tire kicking I think. Very they met in in part because because the agent force BC Greg Ganske. Apparently requested the meeting but that said. You know the Red Sox do typically try to explore every available opportunity that exists in the way in May in and out these and so. It made sense to see what the general parameters where for for what CC sabathia might be looking forward contract but. It's pretty difficult giving -- to match the Red Sox. Making -- substantial you know. 56 year offer along the lines of what the Brewers in. And in the Yankees have already put on the table for -- CC. Not for Burnett he doesn't cost as much and he might -- requires fewer years so. Meant so that brings that increases the likelihood about the potential deal. Parliament -- you know the Red Sox officials parliament as as do every as do all pitched in baseball are clearly enamored of Burnett's stuff. He -- that you led that he led all based on strikeouts per nine innings last year. With with more than nine per nine per nine innings. But you know it stood the -- drive up the pricing and guarantee a dictator for Burnett. Then not Atlanta's property where he's going to end up going.

How much will the the supposedly near deal for K rod by the Mets. Affect any potential future negotiations with Jonathan Papelbon because I think the comparable sir are pretty close.

There are insisting comparable -- K rod it's amazing to think is I believe he's younger than Papelbon at this point. Which is you know striking to think about for a guy who's already reached free agency. But yeah I'd take do you think did I do think -- he will clearly affect what what the closer market is however I think that Papelbon. Is always going to referenced the largest deal without their rather than. Rebels in the prevailing market forces the by the existence any particular moment in time that being the case you know he's still going to he's still going to think in terms of the Mario and the Mariano Rivera benchmark that was that was bout with the duties and with the Yankees last year. In excess of fifteen million dollars a year rather than whatever happens with the with the Mets -- thank you expected. -- there's a likelihood that you know. It does K rod is going to get the richest deal of any closer this offseason and it's going to be for three years. And I would guess it's going to be for about 33 to 36 million dollars which is far less certainly been K -- anticipated but it. Gives you an indication of -- house saturated the closer market is this winter they're just a lot of available closers. And and so those guys who were -- finishers in the game. Are going to get the money that they want the.

Alex we disagree yesterday a bit on what salary arbitration. Bent forward Jason Varitek. But let me ask you this and dale just mentioned this off fair that a lot of teams are shying away from Varitek because. Of the Red Sox offering him arbitration do you think that was a negative not just got to think about it do you think that was a negative for Jason Varitek in the market.

Well I think that there's always been no question that does that that's a negative for Varitek in the market when you have to attach a draft pick. Who would give Georgia a touch a draft pick to signing guys yet very much changes the value of about how he's seen in the market the Detroit Tigers already said as much. Dave Dombrowski said yesterday that you know when they were evaluating the kitchen landscape. They considered going after Varitek -- that all the sudden. Realize that they would not only need to commit a significant sum of money but also part of their future in the case of the Tigers it would have been a second round draft pick. It were out for 2009 and so. They realize well you know the cost of acquiring Gerald Laird. Who -- younger and cheaper the younger cheaper option behind the plate. McPherson Varitek you know it's and -- the cost -- players you've been is offset by virtue of that drastic.

Who have been having a disagreement here on on Varitek and and where he stands in baseball now at this point in his career. I want to ask you about that eventually -- Really what I want to know from you is does he come back here to steer your gut instinct is Jason Varitek the catcher for the Boston Red Sox in 2009.

Didn't stink yes. The Red Sox still values services to reflect nobody is leadership in the Red Sox by virtue of their. By virtue of the way in which they -- the leader his leadership. There's still going up from about contract on the market. So yes.

And where where you see him now in in Major League Baseball I'd say he's. A book bump below average excuse me. A slightly below average overall how about you.

Well I think fit I think that we have to have. Respect -- there's a reasonable likelihood of some kind of offensive don't expect this year he had a terrific offensive year no question but he was as of the end of may really. 300 hitter with a it was an okay yes around like 875 or so he was. Through those two months of the season he was as good not since the pitcher as there was in the majors so. You know it is due to remember like the context of the and the fact that there were some. Impressive moments form over the course but -- I mean I think that the personal issues obviously. Obviously did end up. And up you know weighing upon him over the course of over the course of the year I think -- physically it was pretty baptists here yet a couple of thrilling. Bad illnesses. Over the course of years that made him worse that they really hindered his productivity. It from which he never really recovered. But I also do you think that it wasn't a really bad year -- that you know clearly his skills it wouldn't be abnormal to suggest that a guy who's 36 is gold. It was cut you know. The most. The most games ever by a Red Sox catcher is in the state of some decline. In his career I think that's certainly the case merit but after that make that assumption in. In in their negotiations with tempted. It is skills eroding with age which is again this plate that's what happens to pitchers. But but I do think there were some compounding factors namely the -- and in the outfield personal issues decide who's going through. What's now -- pretty well publicized divorce that it would affect play.

I don't think anyone expects that Teixeira is going to sign soon. We think it's going to drag out but realistically. I read some quotes from him a month or so ago he'd like to have everything settled by by the holidays is that's still going to happen do you think.

I I've seen that that being a realistic target for him I don't see any reason not Susan's you know the teams that are interested are all going to have expressed their interest. By the end of this period noticed making a secret of at the winter meetings well I shouldn't say that. Teams are making -- secret publicly of whether or not their interest to Teixeira and certain instances notably with the Red Sox. But both in terms of but in terms of making their interest known with Boris. I think if that's going to be you know all the teams are going to be whittled down. Probably by the end of the winter meetings such that that's the Teixeira can start. You know making final offers or rather accepting final offers. And and really figuring out where he wants to live in doesn't play next year where where is -- to see the most money which is. You know for obvious reasons going to be one of the one of the major decision making factors.

Of course Alex we always know that agents always have the greater good of their individual client mine. In the collective good I think well really don't let you know an interest that's where I'm going here is Scott Boras batter off. Having Teixeira come to Boston and getting the two Los Angeles teams in a bidding war for his other client Manny Ramirez.

Well I think if there's there's something to that argument whether or not it would play out -- fashion whether or not the Dodgers and and Angels. Would both decide that they were going to focus there they're interest upon. Upon Manny -- too sure -- to sign in Boston remains to be seen. You know I think to the Dodgers sounded a bit miffed about about the way in which. In which median forested meg had done conducted negotiations this point. But could he says hey I'm -- the guy a two year offer. I'm the David Barack Obama is elected president and still haven't heard back. From -- from Boris and and many about whether or not they deem that to be an acceptable offer. So it'll be interesting to see what another plays out that way it could well be -- that it you know certainly if both so late -- LA area teams remain interested then yeah that's a great strategy for -- forces -- Worked out really well.

How active do you expect the Yankees to be and in the next week or the next few days we always. Sam Boston that the Yankees have plenty of money to spend and we know they do. But will they drop a lot of money in Vegas.

I'm not sure it's going to happen and biggest or not I think in their respectful. Of of CC's Brett -- timetable they clearly made in the top priority for the off season. I I think it I think that the other guys that they're going to be interest then. For instance Derek Lowe. Eight -- dirt road to a lesser degree AJ Burnett. We're going to take a bit of time after the winter meetings they need -- situation to be settled -- what the market is. For their -- services Yankees are going to drop a ton of money they're going to spend an excess of 200 million dollars this year on free agents no question. That number could even -- north of 300 million dollars long term commitments to my mind but I don't think that all that money is going to get does is going to get put on the table and --

How much of the Red Sox going to spend.

That's more interesting question you know if you if they end up with -- I think that you could see the Red Sox. Having having as much as 200 million dollars month term commitment to end up landing Teixeira. And in getting a pitcher but. You know the entry barrier for are getting into the Teixeira sweepstakes is probably around a 15060. Million dollars so. They aren't shy parent could be shy about what they're investing and that's that much is certain.

My prediction of Michael a little while ago was that the Red Sox will come out of this off season with Varitek back in the ball. A second catcher of some kind AJ Burnett Mark Teixeira are realistic is that.

I think -- did it largely realistic I'm still a bit skeptical enough on Burnett just because they think that someone is going to offer him a fifth year. And I think that the Red Sox are in a great position with regards their pitching. In which state can they can really stick to the principles they've established for how they how the pursuit of free agent pitching market. If they don't you know they've really don't want to go too many years on the on the upper to a pitcher of particularly one like a Burnett who has some checkered health histories so. So I I still think that he ends up with the Braves but I think that the rest of that vision. Well yeah I think that the rest of that vision is probably quite accurate.

Alex we appreciate time we'll check in tomorrow on good thought -- talent my sleep is overrated. I'm learning that thanks see you later. Alex spear from WEEI dot com joining us live from Cincinnati.