Will Varitek return in 2010?

Red Sox win last night at Fenway Texas Rangers continue to win as well they want a big way earlier on and today. I've been thinking about this for a little while now since he arrived and and let's be honest Victor Martinez has been everything as advertised. Maybe a little more I'm not sure that. That Red Sox fans only some a few games a year and it had a real grasp on how good -- hitter this guy is. Ironically we're -- it to Terry Francona yesterday he was talking about how victor wasn't gonna play. Until maybe later on and I've got that switch hitting bad. No available coming off the bench any. Came off the bench and huge -- last night make a bases loaded the bases clearing. Three run double off the wall to give the Red Sox the win. And it's got me thinking about this and I've seen some things written over the last couple weeks about. You know whether or not the Red Sox should try to get Victor Martinez signed to some sort of a long term deal. Whether he's a guy that you wanna keep around here not just for next year which is under contract for but beyond that. Reports from people who were there are all the time say that he is every bit the clubhouse leader you could ever want. On the field you see how good Hillary as. And it got me thinking and ironically -- probably was the guy leading the got to bring Jason Varitek back parade over the offseason. Because because there weren't many options at that time I'm wondering if they should bring him back now. Now the -- this this option is set up they have the option of giving Jason a contract for next year at the state same five million dollar amount that he made this year. If they declined to do that. He has the option of saying okay I want them back -- makes three and half million dollars. If if he elects the option instead of them. I think it's probably gotten to the point where I'm not sure it's very smart or very easy to bring him back at all.

After this well I think it's made maybe is that smart on the Red Sox part to bring back a five million dollars but. I don't think -- be disappointed to have Jason Varitek for three and happening at least eight million and half dollars. You put him in there as your backup catcher if anything happens to Victor Martinez or you're not. Comfortable -- Victor Martinez catching a hundred gains or -- 120 games. Then you have Varitek there you can catch him for fifty games -- sixty games and now you only you're only paying -- three and out million I think it's a pretty good scenario.

I've given a lot of thought to this and in it and if they were gonna if they were gonna say okay look if he comes back at three and a half fine you know we'll and that. If that's the case then then the Red Sox should pick up the option and and just -- in the five million lines of the million and a half they saved in my opinion is not gonna be worth it because. When they do bring him back if they did. They'd have to do a couple of things that don't seem like much but around that clubhouse are going to be huge deal one they're gonna have to equity captaincy. They're gonna have to they're gonna have to take it away land and why I mean I've always thought having -- on the teachers it was kind of -- here anyway about what one of -- and I don't because I don't think a a backed -- player can be the captain of the team. I and whether it's symbolic or not he's certainly a leader there're other leaders on the team I understand that. I don't see how you how you bring god back at a reduced rate and a greatly reduced role and -- the captain of the team want to I just don't think he can't drink it.

And as long as do you think suddenly because Jason Varitek if those guys in the clubhouse now if they respect him now. And then there's no doubt -- and John Ferro respects and everyone from Josh Beckett the Tito did Jon Lester respect them and Jonathan Papelbon. They respect him now because he's the kind of starting catcher. And just because someone starting been replaced okay starting at just because someone else comes in and takes his job he has no longer over a respectable guy because he's not starting.

I didn't say is not respectable okay so can adapt -- name a situation in any sport. Where backup players the captain of the team the only the only comparable and and it's not the same because they consider this an important part. Is the special teams captain. Of a team -- not usually a starting player Larry -- Was a captain here because of -- special teams work was never starting player -- but it's our special teams are concerned he was a starting player and a crucial play.

Yeah I mean that is the point is the point is well taken but. You also can't think of many situations in baseball where guys -- around with the C connectors so this is an undue Ottawa's omelet this laid back well if there's down beside the okay but is it the MySpace and YouTube. -- than usual. So you'll you really compared to many. Other situations in baseball. For example I -- the captain of the Yankees visited Derek Jeter I think it's because I was called the captain is he. It might be I think years but I have no idea who the captain of the raises I don't know the captain. Captive and -- a lot of teams in -- only -- arrangements or the Indians though or the cubs. Or Dodgers. It's an unusual situation because it's -- one usual I think if he comes back it will work.

I wonder whether he wants to come back and an especially under the circumstances that we just laid. The Red Sox don't pick up the option he does the player option. So is gonna make three and a half million he's gonna come back he knows he's the backup. And and by the way. He's the back up now and as far as I can tell I haven't seen any indication that he's not handled this professionally properly. Now what he says behind closed doors and Terry Francona is office I'd have no way of knowing. Babies in their ranting and raving when he's not playing but I don't believe he has I don't think he has. He's handled it perfectly. But I think it would be uncomfortable for him in fact I'll go so far to say that if the if they declined the option he took it he comes back next year I think he'd go to them and say I can't be wearing the -- majors. I mean it just I can't do. Get all plan once a week here. If it's still.

But you know what if that happens. Now if it comes from him. Not a problem. If he feels uncomfortable doing it it's all about them he's the guy who asked where on this Jersey anyway. If he knows he's not going to be the starter and he feels uncomfortable with this youngsters -- the ticket options no big deal enough to have respect. I in the locker room if he doesn't feel uncomfortable wearing that's the and -- the backup. -- the players will look at it as a strange thing I don't think the fans look at as a strange thing to. It to be clear if Jason Varitek returns will be returning for his final season right in baseball and with the rest.

I think that if day. Now let's assume Victor Martinez comes back and by the way I don't think he has a great catcher but he's going to be to capture more often than not next year. I think you glut and find yourself a backup catcher like they attempt to do this offseason by the way and didn't like what they could get out there or did like the price tag for what they could get out there may.

Maybe maybe it be if you say you know you don't think Victor Martinez is a great catcher. And in JC great hitter yes and if you Trippi Julius so you have you probably have. Three catchers. On the roster -- And then you know you you take the best of all of them and then you have. In everyday catcher. And I thank you said Victor Martinez is a great hitter is it great receiver. Is is okay. Great arm no not at all so. Jason Varitek can't hit or very mediocre below average as a hitter. Below average arm. The pitchers say calls a great game.

Yup so that god but -- only apart yet he'll be a part of preparation. May be now before a series he'll be in those meetings they'll be talking. But he's not gonna be the guy -- sit down with Josh Beckett you know three hours before the start going batter by batter through the batting order because chances are they're going to be catching them.

so that will be -- he has his -- Leo Martinez got -- tech. And in the third guy whether it's George to terrorists or some kid that they finally go out acquire and say -- gonna be that our our catcher of the future. He's not quite ready yet to. Handle full time load he's learning Major League pitching if he's 2223 years all right so he's in place to and you cobble all those guys together than you have. And everyday catcher.

I can't picture they'll go with three because it it sold limits. Terry Francona is moves during in my rather -- if I happen to. To me. You either bring Varitek back under the circumstances we described. We don't bring him back at all and and that would have to be mutually agreeable they'd have to say no to the option he'd have to say -- to the option. And you just cut ties and yet anyone by that guy who Everett is maybe you think you've developed him in the minor leagues at this point I don't think you have yet. -- the guys that that they feel army -- black caliber are not apparently ready to make that -- Wagner double play. When he wasn't that way and and protect its done now but I think you might finish the year and attack and I can look it up. I just think it's an untenable situation. To have a guy who has slipped to back up. Who still the captain of the team and and not just the C on the Jersey that's just superficial let's not.

There which -- standing in the best case. Scenario best case your best player is also your captain in your hardest worker. But it doesn't always work out that way and I think this is one of those cases. -- You know guys back a player but it's still. Pretty good captain he still has respect of most people and that problem.

Yeah and and I think it's similar and and guys have talked about this. And and let's use this team down here can you be a vocal leader. Either in your position meeting room or on the sidelines or on the field. If you don't really play much but use Troy Brown is last year with -- Where he got the 11 appearance last game of the season against Miami almost a farewell swan song type of thing but that's it was the leader of this team that year.

Guess he was -- and that's an extreme example too because you demonic guy who didn't play at all right -- at all you know yet and went back a player using this guy's not playing at all. -- for Ronald because of the Tampa what a good example is. Brian Cox had a job. In 2001 was a starter and then went from the starter threw it back up in season along with Ted Johnson remember Teddy. Had a profound stepped up there in 2001 of the guys stepped up in Brian -- lost his job. But it was still. One of the guys who was looked at as a leader as a big voice on this team it depends on the personality to. I you know Willie McGinest when he was here even if he wasn't gonna be playing. 90% of the steps. 90% of the snaps. It Willie -- yet that locker yeah right where I Jerod -- locker is now right by the corner right by the door saw every day. You had to walk by Willie McGinest. To get you the lunch area and you know. They listen to yeah yeah yeah he wasn't going to be playing all the time he was as yet that's stature where he if he says something you're -- pay attention to what he said.

6177790850. Toll free 8885250850. If you have a Verizon cell phone and -- pound WEEI it's -- call for all of you guys savior emails we won't be back in studio until Monday now. We are down at Gillette Stadium we're actually at the hall at patriot place if you haven't seen yet and I have to admit I hadn't until this morning and it's my loss. You -- combines -- Michael was right it's spectacular the the displays the things they Shelby interactive things you can try to kick Adam Vinatieri field goal in the snow. I mean it's it's -- remains the highlights -- and don't get about the high school. Section -- there right around the corner from where we're sitting right now they have the jerseys of all the high school. Football champions in New England. And the pop Warner regional champions grace and like I I went on there and acted like it click on Brunswick high school -- mount air -- where I went. And it'll tell me the name coach in league they play in and that it did the whole thing is spectacular.