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Saturday, February 16, 2008

Tek Money?

Tek Money is usally a phrase used to describe Jason Varitek as coming up clutch in a key situation. Need the right pitch called at the right time? See Tek. Need a key hit to drive home that tying run? See Tek. Need to smack around a diva superstar who dates East German strippers and forgets where he is? See Tek.

In this case, it refers to the fact Jorge Posada, age 36, got a 4 year, $52.4 million dollar deal from the Yankees this offseason. While he had a great offensive year last season, that contract is really more of a "thank you" for what he's done over the years, rather than believing he'll be having that type of season 4 years from now.

While I don't think the Red Sox will, nor SHOULD, make Tek, who is also 36, that type of offer, I'm really hoping they step up and reward him for being the best catcher in baseball the past several years. He's not the best hitter, best fielder, or best guy when it comes to throwing guys out at second.

He IS, when you combine his skills in all those areas with the way he handles a staff, at the top of the heap. Throw in the fact that if you ask ANYBODY on that team who the leader is, to a man they'll tell you it's Tek. At the very least, they owe him the respect of an offer for an extension before they break camp and head to the Land of the Rising Sun.

He don't wear that C for nothing.

24 comments:

Tex said...

Man. This is a tough one though. i mean...do they invest in all that money when he may not be able to last that long?? i mean I thought the deal they made with him back for the 05 season was really good. I'm on the fence here. as much as I know that C is for much more...I need to think this one over. Id really like to see this season before we just say give em the world.

Ted D said...

Tex, right now, I'd favor a 2 or 3 year deal with a club option. He's offense, while better last season, most likely won't improve that much.

His intangibles are what will earn him some money. That and SOME sense of paying a guy back for what he's meant to the team.

I think Tek realizes with his offense, he's not getting Posada money. I just hope they don't insult him and can come to some sort of agreement.

Tex said...

i guess you're right. and i know he's the glue. I heard Tito say it twice today...when the media was asking questions about him...he said "thats why he wears the C"

Ted D said...

::still mad I forgot to record this::

I'm hoping they play it again sometime tomorrow.

Tex said...

Ted its coming on in 30 min

Ted D said...

Thanks, Tex. Hopefully I can stay awake.

This working 6 days a week is for the birds.

Anonymous said...

Hey Ted! Wanna hear something funny? Come over to my blog and read my latest post entitled "Wanna Hear Something Funny!" Show it to Ang for me to please? Thanks!

Ted D said...

Edge, you're blog pimping!

I'll tell Angie. :)

Redbeard76 said...

Show Tek the money.

Ted D said...

What Redbeard said.

~**Dawn**~ said...

First, I am incredibly amused that I used the exact same photo of Tek on my blog before coming over here & seeing it on yours. Great minds!

Second, even if The Cap'n falls into the role of backup catcher for the end of a 3 or 4 year deal, I think what he brings to the table -- namely, those binders full of notes & the mentoring he can provide to whomever has to fill the unbeliveably large cleat prints he will leave behind -- still make a good-sized payout worth while. A catcher like Tek is one in a million. And as the market shows right now: it's not like there are comparable free agents out there to choose from.

Ted D said...

Hey Dawn,

GMTA is right. :)

For the record, I'm with you. I know Tek won't be in 3 years what he is now, but I think he's invaluable to this team. And he'd be a better back up than Dougie, unless Wake is still pitching then.

Just like I think Schill will be a contributor this year with his wisdom alone, Tek could do the same thing with a young backstop.

~**Dawn**~ said...

The question is: Are we growing any catchers down on the farm?

Ted D said...

Kotteras is the only one I can think of, Dawn.

I'm not sold on Kevin Cash just yet.

~**Dawn**~ said...

I like Cash as a back up to Dougie though, because Wake feels comfortable pitching to him. According to some articles I was reading yesterday, Wake would really like to go for 200 career wins and also tie with the record for Red Sox wins, and he thinks it will take him another 3 or 4 years, if he can make it that long.

Ted D said...

He can make it that long, I'm sure.

He throws 55 mph. He can pitch until he's 60. ;)

~**Dawn**~ said...

He says he doesn't think he has the durability he had when he was 28 & could start, throw from the pen & then start again. But he was talking to whichever one of teh Niekro brothers is still alive, and he thinks he should be able to pitch for another few years. Niekro told Wake he is in way better form than he ever was at Wake's age. That makes me happy.

Ted D said...

I'm telling you, Dawn. The man can pitch another 10 years if he keeps in shape.

Looking forward to routing you in Fantasy baseball this year, btw.

~**Dawn**~ said...

Oh you think so huh? ;-)

Did you see JMP is in too?

Ted D said...

Yeah. ;)

Didn't see JMP. In fact the whole thing confused me, but it said I was in. So I'm pretty sure I'll be talking trash and hanging my head later.

New post is up. It has Beckett in it, so you may want to check it out. However, in full disclosure, it also has me.

So you may want to pass.

~**Dawn**~ said...

If you log in & then on the first page there is a link for "members" (kind of up near the top), you can see everyone who is in the league. You are in. I saw you listed. There aren't any team rosters yet though because the draft hasn't run yet. JMP is listed right below you, I believe. Don't worry about having questions. You can always ask me. I won't even give you bad answers. Scout's honor. Last year, I led the league for the first 2/3 of the season. Then Youk slumped, Matsuzaka tanked, and I suffered a rash of injuries. =/

Ok heading over to the new post...

Ted D said...

Dawn, I honestly believe you'll give me honest information.

You are without a doubt the last of a dying breed.

~**Dawn**~ said...

Is that what my dad meant when he said the broke the nold after they made me? ;-)

Ted D said...

Yep.

Dad of Dawn is a wise man. ;)