Varitek has one bad offensive season and he "can't hit"???? Are you even aware that major leaguers have bad seasons at times? Varitek may have hit .220 this year, but he is not a .220 hitter. People are so quick to label. Get a grip. I say that this one article of yours is subjective. Therefore, you can't write.

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Remember life without Tek and relying on Javy Lopez? Bring up one of the kids in Tripple A as a backup and groom him. Cash isn't the future.
Case closed.

.220 so what. Look at what he does with the pitching staff. Do you think we would be where we are if he wasn't behind the plate???? In the post season the media kept running their mouths about Tek, he hasn't had a hit, low batting average........
But wait game 6 of ALDS who hit a homerun that put the Sox ahead and they won the game???? Media step back and let they play. Tek is out on the field everyday, the pitcher and catcher are such an vital role in a defense and guess what the Red Sox have a valuable catcher. Captain I hope you stay in Boston, that is your home. Red Sox in 2009 - watch out AL East

I think they should keep Tek and make him a player/coach so he can still play, and also be able to
groom a new catcher. And then possibly stay with the organization as a catcher's coach
and help the pitching coach.

Beth is on point, you can't write.

George Kottaras and Dusty Brown have not done will at AAA, especially since Brown hasn't played there. Brown has been able to hang on because of his defense, as he is worthless as a hitter

A lot of the problem at the catcher position lies with the backup guy. If Waitsfield were to retire (and I love the guy), then we couold get a backup who is stronger offensively and could share time with Varitek without regard for whether he is one of the few guys who can catch the knuckler.

Varitek is an arrogant dinosaur. He's a rally-killer. It's time to let him go!

The Sox have one of the most valuable team members in history. Isn't this the guy who has caught no-nos? In this century? That's an all-time record. He didn't just catch, he also called some of those pitches. Let the pitching staff weigh in on this one. Pay for his unique talent and he can go practice his swing.

Regardless of Tek's average in the '07 - '08 season he is a solid leader for the Sox, and instrumental in the solidity of the pitching staff. There are many players who have slumps, and a few who didn't even see action in the ALDS because of it. Tek should stay, or I am afraid of what will happen to our pitching in '08 - '09.

The bottom line is this: If Varitek wants more than 2 years, do the Red Sox sign him? How about 3 years? And how much?

No one questions Varitek's skill in calling a game, and maybe that is worth having a .220 hitter batting ninth.

Varitek's offensive numbers have gone down (.281 in 2005; .238 in 2006, when he was hurt; .255 in 2007 and .220 in 2008).

It was interesting to see Varitek pinch-hit for during the playoffs. But, who knows? Maybe he can rebound.

Just a point on the comment about Dusty Brown being worthless as a hitter. He batted .290 with 12 home runs and 55 RBI in 84 games in Triple-A this past season.

Great to see a healthy discussion. Thanks for the input.

Let's keep in mind that Jason went through a divorce this season, which hasn't been mentioned much, but surely factored into his ability to hit. He's about a .260 hitter lifetime, and he hit much better from the right side (.284 with a .387 OBP). I suspect we'll see him return closer to the mean next year and I'd take him if he hit .250 with occasional power if he adds the value he's shown behind the plate.

While I'm no fan of Boras, when you look at what the Sox have invested in pitching, and the potential upside of their young guns. Keeping Varitek around at $10 million, with one or two option years at the same level isn't so crazy.

Even though Jason was a great college player, the jury was out on him at the same stage of his career that some of the Sox catching prospects are in. The question is: who is coachable and who has potential?

Tek's bat speed has left the park & maybe his eye sight also. All those years of catching have caught up with him. He will be lucky to hit .200 next year. The Sox should say "Thanks for the memories" and go for younger talent.

Retire Wakefield also and spend the $$ on one more top of the line pitcher.

Yes 4 no hitters - no other catcher in MLB history has done this. Prior to 5-19 only 12 other big league catchers had caught 3 no-hitters. Quite an accomplishment I think. Quote from John Farrell on 5-20-08 "It also says he's caught some very good pitchers, I think the most important thing is that I think every pitcher that walks to the mound has the utmost confidence in what he calls, and we're fortunate to have him here"
A statement from the writer " Ever since he assumed the Red Sox's full time catching duties in 1999, Varitek has commanded the respect and admiration of every pitcher from Pedro Martinez to Curt Schilling to Josh Becket." How about 4-22-07 4 straight home runs against the Yankees. Can you name all 4 Sox players?????

90- High school state championship, 92 US Olympic team, 93 College Player of the Year, 94 college world series, 04 World series, 07 World Series.
Only Georgia Tech baseball player to have his #33 retired.
QUITE A RESUME.

Yes 4 no hitters - no other catcher in MLB history has done this. Prior to 5-19 only 12 other big league catchers had caught 3 no-hitters. Quite an accomplishment I think. Quote from John Farrell on 5-20-08 "It also says he's caught some very good pitchers, I think the most important thing is that I think every pitcher that walks to the mound has the utmost confidence in what he calls, and we're fortunate to have him here"
A statement from the writer " Ever since he assumed the Red Sox's full time catching duties in 1999, Varitek has commanded the respect and admiration of every pitcher from Pedro Martinez to Curt Schilling to Josh Becket." How about 4-22-07 4 straight home runs against the Yankees. Can you name all 4 Sox players?????

90- High school state championship, 92 US Olympic team, 93 College Player of the Year, 94 college world series, 04 World series, 07 World Series.
Only Georgia Tech baseball player to have his #33 retired.
QUITE A RESUME.

AND let us not forget the '05 Gold Glove (which for catchers has to be the equivalent of the Cy)
I agree that we would love to keep Tek, obviously so does all the pitching staff! 4 'no-no's isn't all the pitcher! True, 37yr old knees and hands ain't what they used to be. It's really a lot up to the Boras Beast. Theo and the ownership have been known to hard line before....( see:Manny, Nomar, etc)

Not to mention the glove to A-RODS face! Keep him in Boston!

I,think they should keep Jason,he did go through a divorce, and that can put a lot of pressure on a person. He is an outstanding leader for the team,and other players batting average have tumbled but it picked up so give him a change

i think wthe sox should keep Jason Varitek he is a team player and he is a great catcher. what i'm wondering is why did they resigned Wakefield? Everytime he pitches I hear people say oh well we'll lose this game. 157108

pay him as a .220 hitter which he is. one year and opnion or say goodbye. i don't care about personal life, he's paid to payball.

are u guys nuts keeping tex is a dumb move i dont care how many no hitters or how he callsa game the pitcher makes the game not the catcher tex made that up so people will value. get pudge. How many times do we have to see men in scoring position and se this garbage up there strikingout or pop up how many. Im so sick of the rally killer.

Don't expect old catchers to improve.