Will the Boston Red Sox Grant Jason Varitek a Contract Extension: Part Two

If there is one common theme amongst baseball fans and players, it is superstition. And now that the Red Sox's season is officially over, it is no longer possible that talking about offseason deals will jinx their destiny in the postseason.

Perhaps the biggest question lingering in the minds of all Red Sox fans is the fate of Captain Jason Varitek. Officially a free agent, the 36-year-old, Gold-Glove-winning catcher has already made his feelings clear: He wants to stay in Boston.

Unfortunately for Tek, the decision isn't up to him as much as it is the management.  Varitek's history with the game almost makes the decision a no brainer, and holding the record for catching the most no-hitters (4), his presence on defense is nothing shy of elite.

But two of the biggest issues facing the catcher are his age, and his lack of production on offense this season.

It's no secret that the Red Sox don't like signing guys in their mid-to-late 30s. It's also no secret that they are not afraid to let big name fan-favorites go—Johnny Damon and Nomar Garciaparra are a couple prime examples of that. 

With the loss of Manny Ramirez's bat, and the unknown future of Mike Lowell's health, the Red Sox appear to be struggling on offense. Varitek finished the regular season with a .220 batting average, a 10-year career worst. His postseason numbers at the plate were atrocious, having gone 4-for-34 in the postseason with a .118 average, and 1-for-20 with a .050 batting average in the ALCS.

Of course, that one hit he got was a huge game-winning home run off of James Shields in Game Six. Regardless, the Red Sox need more production on offense. They're pitching is nothing shy of elite status, but as Pedro Martinez said in 2004, "I can't do anything if we don't score runs. I can only pitch, do whatever's possible to keep my team in the game, and from there on, it's up to them."

GM Theo Epstein has already addressed the topic of Varitek by saying, "He's an important part of the organization. There's no doubt about that. Obviously, he's coming off a year that wasn't his best. But he's important nonetheless. He's a free agent, and we'll be talking to him. We have an obligation to explore all of our options. We have to do that. We do that with every position."

Epstein went on to say, "There's not a lot of elite catching out there. At the same time, that changes the standards for what you're looking for. What we like to do is be league-average at as many positions as we can."

Varitek has been in the Red Sox's organization since 1997, when he and Derek Lowe were traded from the Mariners minor-league system to the Red Sox for reliever Heathcliff Slocumb. Quite simply meaning that Varitek has a lot of information on the Red Sox organization, which could pose a potential threat if he was traded and put on an opposing teams payroll. His knowledge of the game would also make trading him seem foolish.

What are the Red Sox's options? As Epstein said, there's not a lot of options out there for quality catching. Keep in mind that Epstein stresses youth in the system and they are also looking for a bat to fill the weak spot in the bottom of their order, which makes their criteria for a new catcher even smaller. The names Gerald Laird and Kelly Shoppach are two that immediately come to mind.

Laird, 28 years old, finished the regular season with a .276 average and six homers in 344 at-bats. Shoppach finished with a .261 average and an impressive 21 homers in 352 at-bats. Though Shoppach possesses the power bat that Boston may be looking for, he might be tougher to acquire due to the uncertain future of Victor Martinez.

Having shaved $40-60 million off of their payroll from last season, the Red Sox have some options if they choose to pursue a catcher in the offseason. However, I would expect the Red Sox to offer Varitek a one-year contract extension of around $8 million. 

If they are able to get Varitek to agree to a deal, they will be able to see if he's able to start producing on offense again. If he continues to struggle, we may see Varitek splitting time and mentoring a younger prospect. His presence behind the plate should be reason enough to offer him one more year; if he continues to struggle at the plate next year, then the Red Sox need to incorporate him into the coaching staff for 2010.

Another possible deal that could play in favor of Varitek would be the Red Sox parting ways with Mike Lowell and bringing in Mark Teixeira. A switch hitter with both sides of the plate, the signing of 28-year-old Teixeira would make way to the extension of Jason Bay's contract.

The result would be a lineup of batters alternating sides of the plate, which would frustrate opposing pitchers, and a middle of the order that would be full of run producers in their peak years. The lineup could look something like:

Ellsbury (L), Pedroia (R), Teixeira (S), Youkilis (R), Ortiz (L), Bay (R), Drew (L), Lowrie (S), Varitek (S)

If the thought of Varitek's future is not something you want to think about, just think about that batting order. Imagine what it would do to opposing managers when they have to go to their bullpen.