Baseball Musings: Captain for Christmas

December 24, 2004

Captain for Christmas

Jason Varitek got a very nice Christmas present from the Boston Red Sox. Not only was he given a $40 million, 4 year contract, but he was also made captain of the team.

The Red Sox named Varitek their third captain since 1923 today after giving their longtime catcher a four-year deal. Varitek didn't know of the honor until he was presented with home and road jerseys bearing a red "C" on Friday to formalize the leadership role he has grown into since joining the team in 1997.
"It's not every day you're lucky enough to sign a player who embodies everything you want your franchise to be," general manager Theo Epstein said. "When you have that player, you don't let him get away."

I suppose we'll be hearing "Make it so" a lot from Jason over the next four seasons. :-)

The Sox and Varitek were two years and $15 million apart on the contract, but the sides came up with a creative no-trade clause that was able to close the distance. Each side gave the other a year, and Varitek brought the price down in exchange for a no-trade clause after he reaches 8 ML seasons with the Red Sox. Of course, no one else was bidding on Varitek, so that gave the Red Sox some leverage. Still I found this interesting:

Varitek, who turns 33 April 11, will be 38 by the end of his new deal. Historically, catchers have declined in offensive production in their 30s, but Boras generated a detailed analysis that argued persuasively that Varitek's career path mirrors that of the exceptions, like Fisk, who at age 37 in 1985 posted career bests of 37 home runs and 107 RBIs for the White Sox.

I wonder who the other exceptions were? One big difference between Fisk and Varitek is that Fisk reached the majors at a much younger age. Varitek got his first cup of coffee at age 25; Fisk was having his 2nd very productive season at that point. Great youngsters tend to have better careers than players who make it in their mid-20's. One thing they have in common (and what the other exceptions may have in common) is two seasons in their 20's with low games played. It could be that lack of wear and tear early on pays off in the long run. We'll keep our eyes on Varitek over the life to the contract to see if the projection holds up.

Posted by David Pinto at 05:16 PM | TrackBack (0)

Comments

I am thrilled to be the first to comment on this move.

Tek is the heart, soul and brains of the Sox.

I could feel his pain as Hatteberg "filled in" during the injury year. I was also glad when the fraud Hatteberg disappeared.

I could sense Tek's calm and leadership from 300 miles away.

The mitt in A-Rod's mug, Nuff said.

I loved it in Game 7 against the Yankees in the ALCS when Pedro was tossing 88mph junk, Tek visited the mound - told Pedro to take off the skirt - then Pedro hit 95mph on the next pitch. And 96 on the one after that. Piazza will never have that power. Sorry, Mets.

(The announcers never watch the radar when it counts. And with Pedro it always counts)

My only fear is that: by paying so much attention to Jason's leadership are we changing his ability to lead? There's a name for this: by observing something it is changed by the fact that it has been obsereved.

Money well spent. To do less would have been a Jamesian folly. Numbers be damned in this case.

Renteria is another story. He's a fraud in my book until he proves otherwise.

Merry Christmas Red Sox Nation.

Posted by: Joe Glennon at December 24, 2004 09:54 PM

Tek turns 33 April 11. That means his birthday was April 11, 1972, right? So when the deal expires at the end of the 2008 season, he'll be 36, not 38. That's a really, really big difference. Somebody needs to learn basic arithmetic.

Posted by: Chris Riley at December 24, 2004 11:26 PM

Since he'll be 36, not 38, at the end of his deal, Fisk's age 37 season is totally irrelevant. In fact, you'll see Fisk was horrible at age 36 (231/289/498) and suddenly this deal isn't as good.

Then, you see the pitching staff wasn't very good in 2003, and all of the praise Varitek is given as a handler of the pitching staff should be taken with a grain of salt.

Then, you see that in 2002, when everyone was talking about a "leader in the clubhouse," everyone was talking about Trot Nixon, not Jason Varitek.

Then, you see that Kelly Shoppach will likely be ready to go, and possibly start, in 2006 or 07, and Varitek will still have two or three years left on his deal.

Varitek was given too much money, and too many years. Can't give Pedro three, but you can give Varitek four? C'mon...

Posted by: Sam at December 24, 2004 11:42 PM

In 2001 Varitek has injured and only played 51 games. If the age issue is actually a wear and tear issue, this reduced number of games shows that years of service doesn't necessarily equate to miles on the odometer. Also, this injury was a freak one to his elbow, and not in any way related to catching.

Posted by: Empyreal at December 25, 2004 07:39 AM

I believe the Sox did offer that third year to Pedro, didn't they? Besides, after hearing Pedro flap his lips down in New York when he signed there, I'd rather give Tek his 5 years / 55 million then 3 / 40 to Pedro...

Pedro might have been good in the past, but he should be long forgotten in Beantown following his horrible remarks... I won't miss him anyway - - - great to have Tek back. Go Sox '05.

Posted by: Al at December 25, 2004 05:49 PM

Yeah... those HoF pitchers are so easy to come by. Aging, one-time All-Star catchers, though... those are the guys you gotta keep!

Posted by: Sam at December 26, 2004 04:50 AM

It's so funny how, 3 months ago, the Sox fans were all talking up Pedro on how much he means to the team and how he's the best pitcher EVER. Now that he's with the Mets, they couldn't get rid of him fast enough, he's replacable, he's old, he's not really all that good anyway. Typical Sox fan.

Posted by: shawn at December 26, 2004 08:43 AM

Top 10 Reasons Red Sox’s Made Varitek their Captain

10.Kevin Millar was un-willing to give up pre-game alcohol binge

9.Winner of last year’s “First one to Slap a Yankee like a girl gets to be Captain” contest

8.Red Sox Management didn’t want to sit through another one of Curt Schilling’s “If it wasn’t for God” press conferences

7.Has critical “Special Olympics Hugger” experience management was looking for

6.Knows how to coax Johnny Damon into barber chair with Jolly Ranchers

5.Can speak convincingly to any of Manny Ramirez’s multiple personalities

4. Knows special “tuck-in” technique for David Ortiz on road trips

3.Beat the snot out of a bat-boy in final “full-contact” round of Captain Selection

2. Knows how to work locker room fire extinguisher

1. Players fell for his “Less Running/More Cake” Campaign Promise

Posted by: Bob at December 26, 2004 09:51 AM