Jason Varitek, captain of the Red Sox, catcher, and heart and soul of the team has filed for free agency. Jason has never played for any other team in his professional career, he started on Cape Cod playing for the elite Cape league and never left the state of Massachusetts. My dad remembers him being debaucherous and well a college boy haunting the main street of Hyannis. Varitek filed for free agency on Halloween and the Red Sox have a 15 day window to exlusive negotiating rights. During this time Varitek and his agent can talk to other franchises but no financial terms can be discussed.
So, what's next for the Sox? Well, its not like they have any minor league catching prospects and the Sox could trade for a younger catcher (Varitek will turn 37 in April) however the catcher free agent market is bleak, or they could resign Varitek like they did after the 2004 World Series, when the catcher was resigned for $40 million and 4 years. The most likely solution right now is a short term contract for Varitek, but only time will tell! Too bad Dougie is gone!
I hope Jason is going no where he is and always has been my favorite Red Sox.
