Ted's Army: The Voice of Red Sox fans

Your Morning Dump... Where it may be time for Tek to retire too

Every morning we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump...

In a phone interview yesterday, agent Scott Boras said Varitek “is in a position where he’s ready to play” this season. But Boras added that the longtime Red Sox [team stats] catcher, who has been offered a minor league contract to attend spring training with only a slim chance of making the team, “had not made any decisions.”

And with pitchers and catchers required to report to camp tomorrow, general manager Ben Cherington said he isn’t anticipating any additions to the roster.

“I guess I expect that he won’t be here,” Cherington said. “That’s something, again, we’ve agreed with Jason to continue to talk and let him make that decision. He needs to make it on his own, and I respect that.”

It seems Varitek has two choices: Come to camp with the Red Sox and serve as little more than insurance against an injury to Jarrod Saltalamacchia or backup Kelly Shoppach, or join Wakefield and New York Yankees catcher Jorge Posada on the list of recent retirees.

Herald -Tek next to bid adieu?

Jason Varitek: the catcher nobody wanted.  What a shame.

And what an awful offseason for him.  It started with his team collapsing and more than one person pointing a finger in his direction over his lack of leadership.  He hoped to return to Boston, but nobody at Yawkey would return his calls.  He looked for a job elsewhere, but Baltimore was the only team that showed any real interest in bringing him aboard; but they opted for Tyler Teagarden instead.  He held out hope that his old GM might bring him aboard, but that call never came.  Then, to help the guy save some face, Boston gave Varitek a pity minor league invite.   2007 has to feel like a century ago in the Tek household.

If I was advising Varitek -- and, Jason, I'll do it for a quarter of what you pay Boras.  Let's be honest, he isn't exactly working out for you right now anyway -- I would gently put my hand on his back, look him in the eye, and tell him to hang it up.  Whenever Varitek retires, the Sox have a job in the organization for him.  That's a promise they've made him.  I can't imagine Varitek has plans to live life away from the diamond anyway, so why not get started on his new career? 

Sure, the dollars won't be the same, but it has to be better than taking bus trips from Rhode Island to Rochester and Buffalo, just so you can throw on the armor every day.  He'll have to put in some work in the lower levels, but Varitek will find himself on a major league bench before too long.  He'll just be holding a clipboard instead of a bat.

[image from Zimbio.com]

On Page 2, Wake only wanted to play for one team

Wakefield to retire

MLBTradeRumors.com is reporting that Tim Wakefield will announce his retirement from baseball later today.

Tim Wakefield will announce his retirement at a press conference later today, according to a Red Sox media release.  The veteran knuckleballer had been considering the decision, saying that while he was interested in pitching in 2012, his first choice would be to return to the Red Sox, who were only offering him a minor league contract.

Wakefield retires with a career 200-180 record, a 4.41 ERA and 2156 strikeouts over 3226 1/3 innings pitched.  He is Boston's all-time leader in starts and innings pitched, and his 186 wins with the Red Sox ranks him third on the franchise's all-time wins list, just six behind Roger Clemens and Cy Young's shared mark of 192.

Despite the fact that this is the outcome we've expected for a few weeks, I'm torn by this announcement.  Like Varitek, Timmy is one of those guys that you just expect to see in a Sox uniform every day.  When you think of the Boston Red Sox, and the successes they've had over the past decade, Wakefield has been a constant.  Regardless of how high his ERA would climb or how flat his knuckleball had become, Wake was a player that you desperately wanted to succeed.

But his successes on the mount have been few and far between in recent years.  He's simply not going to play an integral role on a successful baseball club at this stage in his career.  At the very best, he's a guy you can bring in to eat some innings of long-since-decided games.  The Red Sox are not going to commit a roster spot for a pitcher with such a low ceiling, regardless of his history with the franchise.

We had all hoped that Wake would one day knock Roger Clemens' name out of the record books.  Unfortunately he fell just a few wins short.  But that does nothing to mar the equally brilliant and unspectacular career that Wakefield strung together over the past 20 years.  It's going to be weird not seeing him in the dugout this spring.

Wakefield's retirement isn't the only sad news we have to share today.  It has also been reported that Hideki Okajima has failed his physical with the Yankees, and is no longer part of New York's 2012 plans.  What a shame.  We were *thisclose* to watching the Yankees get Okie-Dokie'd to the bottom of the AL East.  If any of our readers have any contacts in the Rays' front office, would you mind putting in a good word for him?

Has Tim Wakefield made a decision yet?

I guess I did not understand the statement by Barry Meister (Wakefield's agent), when he said Tim will be making a decision on his future soon. The decision whether Wake will attempt another year in the majors or hang up his cleats after 19 seasons (17 with Bos.) was supposed to be made by this past weekend. Nothing yet. Wakefield has stated numerous times in the past that he doesn't want to pitch for anyone else and wants to be wearing a Red Sox uniform when he retires. At 45, Wakefield still feels like he has something to offer, and the Red Sox are not so sure about that.

Tim Wakefield has been a bargain throughout his entire career, never making more than $4.67 million in a season. He has been versitle, spending most of his time as a starter, and making much needed appearances as a long-reliever and closer. Even though he has done a lot for the Sox 2011 was a very un-friendly contract season.

The highlight of 2011 for Tim Wakefield was of course his 200th victory that came on September 13th after one of the longest journeys between wins in league history. It took 8 starts to reach that milestone and it was ugly as the Sox lost 6 of those 8 games. That 200th victory may have been his last in his career. He went on to lose his final two starts to finish the season at 7-8. It wasn't all bad, just mostly bad, but there could be something left in the tank.

The only role Tim Wakefield would fit in would be long-relief. The Red Sox could probably get him cheaper than the $2 million they paid him last season. That might not be appealing enough. In his 10 appearances out of the bullpen, the Red Sox went 1-9 with no credit to Wakefield in that one victory. None of those loses were his fault, he was just an arm to get them through a blow out that was not in their favor. That also doesn't help Wake's desire for 7 more victories to surpass the Red Sox all-time leader in wins, Roger Clemens  with 192.

Aside from being a somewhat cheap addition to the bullpen, Wakefield does not have a good case. His 32-34 record and 4.76 ERA since 2008 is not all that bad, but take 2008 and 2009 out of the mix, and it's not lookin' so good. Over the last two seasons,  Wake has posted an 11-18 record with a 5.22 ERA and 1.354 WHIP. Once again, his appearances out of the pen were out of necessity during a blow-out (in either direction). That is not what Wake wants to do, and that may not matter because the Sox have shown no interest in bringing him back for any role.

When you take into account his age, recent struggles for quality starts, and no desperate need on the Red Sox side for a pitcher like Wakefield, retirement may be the best option. I would hate to look into that dugout or bullpen and not see number 49 walking around, but it will happen eventually. Maybe the recent minor-league contract given to 49-year-old, Jaime Moyer by the Rockies at has given Wake some inspiration for a return. Even if the Red Sox do give him a chance, those 7 wins to surpass Clemens may never happen.

Let us know what you think he should do by voting on our poll in the right column of the page.

Wakefield will make a decision on his future soon

Tim Wakefield has not been welcomed back with open arms by the Sox as he hoped. At 45, he wants to come back, but no one really wants him. By this weekend, Wakefield will make his decision whether he will retire or make a run for another season in the majors.

As a result of the dilemma, Wakefield's agent, Barry Meister, said a verdict on his client is looming, according to the Boston Herald.

 

"We're discussing the options -- and he has some options -- and over the next few days, we're going to try to figure it out," Meister told the paper. "These next few days is just a period of introspection, where he's trying to decide what to do, whether to play, who to play for."

If he decides to make a return, Boston may not be a team in the mix. Just preparing everyone for the heartbreak.

Your Morning Dump... Where "options" still exist

Every morning we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump...

Ben Cherington said earlier this week that it was unlikely the Red Sox would add a starting pitcher before spring training. But he also said that he couldn't rule it out.

To the best of my ability, here are the unsigned starting pitchers who could come to camp and actually pitch:

Rich Harden
Ross Ohlendorf
Roy Oswalt
Brad Penny
Tim Wakefield

Oswalt, obviously, is the prize of that group. He seems intent on the Rangers and Cardinals, two teams that do not need a starter. The Cardinals could try and clear room for him. At this point, the only way he gets to the Red Sox is by sucking it up and taking a bargain deal. Or John Henry realizes that his No. 5 starter might be Aaron Cook.

Globe - Yes, there are still starters on the market

Pete Abe goes through the trouble of compiling that list, and then tells you wy every single one of those pitchers would make for a terrible signing.

The case against Oswalt is simply that he doesn't really want to come to Boston.  Granted, we've had many players suit up for the Sox over the years that would rather being donning someone else's logo, so it's not as if it would be some sort of disaster.  He'd pitch out the year, make a few million less than he had hoped and then head off to greener pastures in 2013. 

Harden and Ohlendorf have platinum memberships to their local ERs, so there's a ton of risk with bringing either of those two guys aboard.  Although Pete states, and I wholeheartedly agree, that he'd rather have Harden competing for a spot in the rotation than someone like Padilla or Silva.  Not that Harden is much of a pitcher any more.  He did come back and pitch the second half of last season, but his 5+ ERA and 17 home runs surrendered over 15 starts sum up what you can expect from him.

Brad Penny was garbage in his brief stint with the Sox, then went off to the NL and morphed into a serviceable pitcher (shocker!), then headed back to the AL to pitch for Detroit last season and, well, turned right back into garbage.  If you're looking for a bright spot in Penny, he can give you a lot of innings.  Innings full of extra base hits, and many runs surrendered.  But innings nonetheless.

Which brings us to Wakefield.  If the Sox do invite Tim to camp it will be clear that his roster spot is not guaranteed and he'll have to earn it.  What a tough spot to put not only Wake in, but Bobby Valentine and new GM Ben Cherington.  You know what you're going to get with Wakefield at this point; there are no surprises.  Knowing this, you either think he's good enough to make your team better and plan on having him suit up in the regular season.  Or, you don't think he still has it and you're just making a nice gesture to a long-time Sox.  If they do end up cutting him, they're now the guys that jerked around Sox great Tim Wakefield for a spring. 

Looking at that list of available pitchers feels like going to a Chinese Buffet right after dinner.  Everything worthwhile is out of stock, and the dishes that are available have been sitting out under the heat lamps for the past 3 hours.  So you fill up your plate with a couple scoops of Carlos Silva, a bowl of Aaron Cook and a side of Padilla and hope you don't spend the next 6 months vomiting. 

Rest of the links:

WEEI - Choosing the hard way: Why Aaron Cook embraced a Red Sox deal with no guarantees | Herald - Rangers should say ‘no thanks’ to Josh Hamilton bidding war | ESPN - Super Bowl picks from Boston athletes

Wakefield is thinking about retirement

Grandpa Tim has muttered a word I did not think he was capable of saying. Retirement. It is not a definite route for Wake, who will turn 46 during the 2012 season, yet he has taken it into consideration.

"I just saw that [Jorge] Posada retired, you know, it's something that my wife and I need to talk about," said the 45-year-old knuckleballer, according to FloridaToday.com. "I'd probably need to talk about it with my kids, too. Ultimately, I would like to obviously play for the Boston Red Sox for one more year and see where it goes."

He hasn't completely ruled out playing somewhere else, although it is undesirable to him. He also said he doesn't want anything to come down to the last minute.

I am one of the biggest Wakefield fans and I would love to see him comeback, but only if he can be a benefit. I don't think he has what it takes. I'm sure he is thinking "If Jaime Moyer can get at least a minor-league deal at 49, why can't I get something". Of course he thinks he can contribute and he wants to make a run at the Red Sox wins record, but there is very little left in the tank. He can probably give the Sox some spot starts, and will probably be slightly more valuable in the pen for long-relief. The Sox have very little interest and I will be surprised if they do make him an offer, and if they do, anything other than last minute will also be surprising.

Your Morning Dump...Where Beckett and Valentine are getting along

Every morning we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump...

New Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine and starter Josh Beckett celebrated the New Year together -- with a 2.5-hour meeting at Beckett's ranch in Texas.

[...]

"I did backflips," Valentine said. "I knew that [intense] look from walking in the clubhouse or on gameday when he'd sit on the bench before the game. For 2.5 hrs, he came out, asking questions.... It was real long. We missed the whole football game."

Providence Journal: Valentine and Beckett have productive meeting in Texas

Isn't that just peachy? The Sox manager and Ace are having nice conversations on New Years Day and missing football games. I don't really care much, but that should have been their first conversation that was held last month. Instead, we had to listen to two weeks worth of Josh Beckett being unhappy with Valentine because of his criticism as an ESPN analyst.

Valentine also commented on other conversations he had with various players...

"Everybody I've met, and that's why I do it, I've had a different impression," Valentine said. "Ellsbury fooled the hell out of me, from what I heard and everything. Totally different. Clay was much different than I expected, in a good way. He's a good guy."

There was one notable exception.

"Except for Dustin. He's exactly how I knew him. That's who he is. But Pedroia, what a guy."

I don't want to constantly criticise Bobby all the time, but it is pretty obvious that he would get a different impression from different players. I would hope everyone would have a different personality and he would have a variety of conversations. Unless this team has become robots and just don't give a damn, this should be what he expected and it is a good sign that players are being themselves with him.

I may be reading too much into this and it may have been easily summed up with a, "Good job for making contact with your players, Bobby", but I still don't really like the guy...and it's Sunday morning.

On Page 2, 200 innings would be nice from any Sox starter.

Your Morning Dump... Where we're still targeting low-cost pitchers

Every morning we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports has tweeted that the Red Sox are among the interested parties in former Pirates lefty Paul Maholm. The Mariners, Cubs and Orioles also have interest.

Maholm is 29 and amassed a 6-14 record and a 3.66 ERA for the Pirates in 2011. He was on the disabled list after recovering from shoulder surgery.

The Pirates declined a $9.75 million option in October and bought him out for $750,00.

Sox general manager Ben Cherington said earlier today the team is looking for more than one "low-cost" starting pitcher who will enter a competition for the final two starter spots in spring training. It doesn't appear that Cherington will opt for any of the higher priced starters at this time like Hiroki Kuroda, Edwin Jackson or Joe Saunders.

Globe -Sox after low-cost starters

Not a lot of Red Sox news this Saturday morning, so we're stuck with the "Boston looking for cheap pitchers" storyline.

As far as Paul Maholm is concerned, Ben did a good job of covering him, and the other pitching options remaining, a couple days ago.  Maholm isn't a bad pitcher (he's never really been that good either), but he's also a guy that's spend his entire career in the NL Central.  So I'm not sure what to make of him.  He did pitch one game in the Rogers Centre last season and only gave up a single home run (7 IP 9 hits 2 ER 1 K), so you can try to hang your hat on that if you must.

I've been championing the "Spend Money, Get Us A Legit Pitcher" campaign, but it looks like Cherington is ignoring my pleas. And if he's not going to get us someone with the ability to be good, I guess I'm happy that he plans on bringing in "more than one" starter to compete. We will get hit with injuries.  We will need some depth.

And just to throw a fun scenario out there: Would it shock you if, half-way through the season, the Sox are desperate for a 5th starter and ring up old pal (and still unemployed) Tim Wakefield?  Couldn't you see him making his triumphant return to Boston, riding in on his white horse, ready to save the season?  And then, immediately implode giving up 6 home runs in his first 3 innings?  If we were to bet on that scenario, what would the odds be?  5-to-1?

Rest of the links:

Baseball America: 2012 Boston Red Sox Top 10 Prospects | CSNNE - Valentine juggling tasks before spring training

Cubs interested in Tek, Wakefield

Old men love rivers

This was inevitable.  With Varitek out of the picture in Boston, and the Sox showing zero interest in retaining Wakefield, it was only a matter of time before Theo and Hoyer started mulling the idea of bringing the two to Chicago.

Via the Tribune:

Jason Varitek in a Cubs’ uniform? How about knuckleballer Tim Wakefield?

Both of those Red Sox fixtures are possibilities as Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer search for ways to add depth to their roster.

A Cubs source confirmed that Epstein has expressed some interest in both the 39-year-old Varitek and the 45-year-old Wakefield, but nothing appears imminent with either player as the team explores options with more shelf life.

How interested the Cubs are in the two long-time Sox is up for debate and will be determined shortly.  I could see this as nothing more than a goodwill gesture by Epstein.  Right now I'm not hearing about any teams looking to bring either Tek or Wake aboard.  Leaking that he's thinking of signing the two could very well be a simple tactic to try to create some form of market for his two loyal players.  One final 'thank you'.

Of course, the interest could be genuine.  From a roster standpoint, the Cubs don't have a legit backup catcher.  And both their rotation and bullpen aren't exactly locked down.  Wake could easily fill in a couple holes there, depending on how the Cubs want to use him.  And while bringing in a couple of 40 year-olds isn't the typical blueprint for rebuilding a roster, when you're trying to change the culture of a perennial loser like the Cubs, adding two guys with championship pedigrees is a smart move.

Admittedly, I'd still like to see both players suit up for the Sox next season (don't read too much into that.  Trot would still be roaming right if I had my say).  But I'd be happy to see them end up in Chicago.  They deserve to play in another baseball-centric town, for fans that could appreciate the players they are, and once were.

Your Morning Dump... Where we don't expect Varitek to be back

 

Every morning, well most mornings and sometimes in the afternoon, we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.

Varitek returned for the 2011 season. It's unlikely, however, he will be back for 2012.

During the winter meetings in Dallas this week, Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington said he spoke with Varitek about the upcoming season and would not commit to anything, saying the organization will make a decision and the GM will speak to Varitek again soon.

"I have a great deal of respect for both [Varitek and Tim Wakefield] and feel like the best thing for the team and the best thing for them is, if there's not a real role on the team, I'm not sure it's fair, I'm not sure it's the right thing for them or for the team, but we haven't gotten to that point yet," Cherington said.

With Varitek's Red Sox career likely over, a new generation of catchers in the organization could be around for a long time.

Varitek didn't have a chance to walk off the field and wave to the fans in 2011. If he doesn't return, he will be recognized at some point at Fenway Park, whether with another team or through a much-deserved Jason Varitek Day.

ESPN - Red Sox catchers praise Varitek

With Lavarnway coming up late last year and looking competent at the plate (granted, he only had 39 at-bats), and Varitek continuing his free-fall (despite mustering 11 home runs), this isn't shocking at all.

But part of me still wants to see Tek suit up for the Sox next season.  Salty shocked everybody after his slow start last year, but I still think he could benefit greatly from another season of Tek.  Although he will still have Gary Tuck in his ear.  But beond that, it'll be weird to watch a Sox team without Jason Varitek. 

It will also be weird to not watch Papelbon glaring down the plate in the 9th, and to watch whatever antics Bobby Valentine has up his sleeve.  Maybe I just need to get used to change.  Because things are already different, and more change is coming.

It would have been nice to say thank you and goodbye to the Captain.  That was something we never got to do -- although, as McDonald states, we will still get our chance.  Either when he comes to town with whatever his next team is, or, during a planned "Jason Varitek Day". 

And with Wakefield's return just as doubtful, we may be saying goodbye to two long-term Sox in other uniforms in 2012.  And I won't dwell on Wakefiled too much right now, but if we plan on converting Bard to a starter, they're going to have to limit the number of innings he can pitch.  Won't we need both Aceves and Wakefiled to spot fill? 

Rest of the links:

Herald - Dave Magadan covers bases | Winners and losers from the winter meetings | Globe - Red Sox are sticking with plan | WEEI -  Hot Stove: Red Sox reportedly check in with Diamondbacks on LHP Joe Saunders | Cherington: Sox unlikely to pursue Darvish | NESN - Red Sox Shouldn't Be Swayed by Daisuke Matsuzaka's Performance in Evaluating Yu Darvish's Worth