Boston Red Sox Invite Jason Varitek to Camp: Good Move or Waste of Time?

OK, another of the vexing off-season questions is about to be answered. Catcher Jason Varitek is mulling a Red Sox invitation to spring training, according to Jon Heymann of CBSSports.com. 

The mulling is because he would come as a non-roster invitee, and the news report says he would have only an outside chance of making the team. 

Varitek joined the Red Sox in 1997 in the famous trading deadline deal of Heathcliff Slocumb to Seattle for Tek and Derek Lowe. He played a key role in the 2004 and 2007 World Series wins, was a three-time All Star and also earned a Gold Glove and a Silver Slugger award in 2005.

But this is 2011, and the team is clearly at a crossroads. I thought the team might gratefully acknowledge his past contributions and respectfully bid adieu to this aging warrior, who will turn 40 in April.

On Christmas Day, Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald, opined that the signing of catcher Kelly Shoppach to a one-year deal worth $1.35 million did not necessarily mean Varitek was out of the picture for the 2012 Red Sox. This latest twist proves that he was right.

In mid-December agent Scott Boras told Silverman, “Jason Varitek wants to play for the Boston Red Sox.”

Boras argues that when Varitek started in 2011, the Red Sox had a .656 winning percentage. When he did not start, they won less than half their games (.490 winning percentage). The pitching staff’s ERA when Varitek caught was 3.57, but it was 4.65 with Saltalamacchia and Ryan Lavarnway (two starts).

His longevity has been due to his unquestioned ability to work with pitchers and his ability to call a game. However, the rest of his skills, both offensively and defensively, have eroded dramatically in recent years.

In 2011, Varitek hit .176 in the second half (.077 in September), even though he played in considerably fewer games than the first half (26 to 42).

His ability to hit in the clutch has all but disappeared; in 14 chances with the bases loaded or runners on second and third, he did not get a single hit and he struck out eight times.

This year he only threw out only one of 20 base-stealers in September. For the year, he threw out 14 percent—half the rate of success he had in his best years. By comparison,  Saltalamacchia threw out about 31 percent. The newly-acquired Shoppach led the American League by throwing out 41 percent.

Some have suggested keeping him on the roster to mentor the younger catchers, such as Ryan Lavarnway, who will probably start the season at Triple-A Pawtucket. However, that would eat up another valuable roster spot; he could mentor younger catchers by agreeing to coach.

Earlier reports indicated that the Tigers may be seeking a backup catcher, and according to Jon Heyman in a previous article for Sports Illustrated, both the Orioles and the Mets had shown some interest in Varitek.

Heyman reports that Varitek is not considering playing for another team. He will either take his chances and come to the Red Sox camp or he will retire.  

On one level, this is smart move by the team, because this Solomon-like attempt to avoid splitting the baby places the onus for the final decision on Varitek, not the Red Sox..

In mid-December  principal owner John Henry told Joe McDonald of ESPNBoston.com that Varitek “should be a part of this organization for the rest of his life.”

This latest move opens the door for Varitek to accept a role in coaching or player development without the onus of being cut or released.