Three Weeks Until Pitchers & Catchers Report...Sox STILL Need A Primary Catcher
Hello and good morning on a still dark and very chilly Friday. In three weeks, pitchers and catchers will report to Fort Myers...just three weeks! The Boston Red Sox are still looking for their number one human backstop. Will it be Varitek? As time goes by and no deal is completed, I don't know the answer to that. But there are three other names, young guys, that Boston has to keep in their thoughts. They are Jarred Saltalamacchia and Taylor Teagarden of Texas and Miguel Montero, who plays for Arizona.
1) Montero...known for his pitch-calling skills more than anything. Low offensive numbers, so far...remember, he's young.
2) Saltalamacchia...good batting prowess but still developing as a catcher...he's young, too.
3) Teagarden...the most complete package, with better batting and catching skills than the other two. It will take more to get him, however. I say so what, Sox. GO FOR IT!!
If the Red Sox ink Varitek within the next two weeks, those names will stay just that...names without faces. I think the club we love should (gulp) part with a player and complete a trade that would make Tayler Teagarden our everyday catcher, with Bard as his backup. As much as I like Varitek, and I do, it is clear to all of us that his batting skills have eroded too much. He's a hole in the lineup that must be plugged, and his agent, Scott Borass, is not helping matters by inflating his value so obscenely. It's been almost two weeks since 'Tek met with Sox owner John Henry and still no deal has been struck. That does not bode well for the team captain. Time is running short...the sand is pouring into the bottom of the hourglass rapidly. Something will happen...soon. Go for youth, Theo. Just do it. Period. If it means trading Buchholz for a 24 year old guy who will develop into an All Star caliber catcher, it would be worth every penny, or in this case, player.
That's a wrap for today, Friday, January 23, 2009. Have a great upcoming weekend and click on this post's title for more Red Sox news, SI style. As always, BE WELL. Shalom...l'chaim...cheers & cheerio. Skol, too.
posted by Peter N @ 6:01 AM
2 comments
2 Comments:
Nostalgia is a wonderful thing. Recalling things that were enlivens the soul, brightens the day, warms the heart. Just about all the time. Except in baseball. That's why we have relief pitchers. And the sooner we employe someone new, the sooner the damage will be lessened.
Jason Varitek was always prone to striking out, but last year was his last Hurrah. His ineptitude overwhelmed us, his dalliances cost him his family and the respect of friends, neighbors, and fans. And, most importantly, the respect of Mr. Henry.
We need a catcher. We need a young catcher, one with promise. It is so obvious that the management is bending over backwards, trying to courteously give Varitek a last chance, by leaving an offer on the table. But expediency has its limits. We need a catcher. And, we have an abundance of young talent. Let's send a young arm and bat to Texas and begin our dynasty.
That's what I thought I implied. JB, have a great weekend...I'll be back early on Saturday. Thanks!
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