John Smoltz Likely Puts an End to The Jason Varitek Era

With the announcement that John Smoltz has agreed to a one-year deal with Boston worth about $5.5 million, the end to the Jason Varitek Era in Boston has likely been written. Sure, it doesn't seem that way on the surface, but if you dig a bit deeper, you can see the writing on the wall.

The Red Sox have a history of over-staffing their starting rotation. Last season, they took a flier on Bartolo Colon, got Justin Masterson ready to go, and even used Michael Bowden for a start in order to make sure the rotation came to form. Smoltz represents that type of addition at this point in the offseason.

How do the Red Sox look right now? The rotation stacks up with Josh Beckett and Daisuke Matsuzaka leading the way. Jon Lester is poised to take the reigns as a number three or four starter, with Brad Penny grabbing the other spot. Tim Wakefield will round out the rotation in the five hole.

Then, we have Smoltz. It's likely that he isn't ready to go until May or June, but he would be a welcome addition to the staff when healthy. This is what Boston thought they would get from Colon, and even Curt Schilling, last season. That's six starters right there. Michael Bowden is also on the cusp, and they can use Masterson as well if needed.

Not only that, Boston still has Clay Buchholz. While Buchholz struggled last season with the command on his pitches and was ultimately demoted to the minors, there are many across baseball that feel he can still be an effective starter once he gets his head on straight. Daniel Bard has to find a spot in here at some point in the near future, too.

This staff isn't just over-staffed, it's bursting at the seams.

The Red Sox still need a catcher. Josh Bard is nice, but he isn't going to fill the every day shoes of Varitek, so the Sox have a hole. Greg Zaun's name has been floated as a veteran alternative, and Pudge Rodriguez is still out there as well. It's not likely that Boston looks for another veteran like this at the prices they would be asking.

With Varitek struggling (to put it nicely) at the plate last season, turning down arbitration, and now having few suitors, he could still be in the Red Sox plans, but only at the right price. With Scott Boras as his agent, the likelihood of that price coming in to play isn't very high.

Which brings us to the next point. Boston has been reluctant to part with Buchholz in early trade talks with Arizona and Texas. Miguel Montero and Jarrod Saltalamacchia can be had, but Buchholz needed to be involved. The sudden depth of pitching Boston has both at the major and minor league levels gives them the opportunity to deal from a position of strength.

There will be those in Boston that will not be thrilled should the Red Sox deal a young pitcher, but we have to look at the reality of the situation. When it comes to filling needs, you have to give something up. Both the catchers Boston has designs on come at a price.

The Red Sox have the coin in the bank to make a deal and not hurt the current pitching rotation. That's a good thing for them, but not so much for the man that has worn the "C" so proudly during the last four seasons in Boston.