From an article written by NESN's Michael Hurley today:
Since the late '90s, the Red Sox have welcomed their fair share of characters through the doors on Yawkey Way. Pedro Martinez, Manny Ramirez, Kevin Millar, Orlando Cabrera, Johnny Damon, Carl Everett and Ugueth Urbina -- to name a few -- provided the spark and excitement that a team needs on occasion.
But standing out among the rest has been Jason Varitek, Boston's model of consistency on the field and in the clubhouse. When the Red Sox sewed the "C" on the catcher's jersey, the organization showed how far it was willing to go to show Varitek the appreciation he deserved.
The Red Sox hold a $5 million option on Varitek for 2010, one they're almost certain not to exercise after the catcher hit just .209 in 2009. Varitek, though, holds a $3 million option to stay with the Red Sox, one that would be a win for both sides if he chooses to exercise it.
Varitek's biggest problem in 2009 was that the Red Sox needed him to be more than he was. They needed Varitek to be 32 years old again.
In 2010, however, with Mike Lowell needing much less time off than he did last year, Victor Martinez will be able to spend the bulk of the season behind the plate. That will allow Varitek to play once or twice a week at most, and in turn will allow Lowell, Martinez and Kevin Youkilis to each take a breather every 10 games or so.
Ideally, if Varitek played only after several days of rest, he'd be much more productive, and he'd be as good a backup as there is in the major leagues.
Of course, that reason alone isn't necessarily enough to re-sign a veteran catcher. But that's where Varitek's leadership -- both in the clubhouse and in the bullpen -- comes in to play.
Realistically, having Jason Varitek in the clubhouse won't inspire Dustin Pedroia to get more hits, nor will it motivate Jacoby Ellsbury to swipe an extra bag or two. Varitek's presence will, however, help a pitching staff that still includes a number of young arms. Varitek himself seemed to admit that he wasn't the same player before this year's postseason began, yet he remained confident in his ability to help the ballclub.
"It's different, but the fact of the matter is that we need to put our best lineup out there," Varitek said in early October. “I have one job to do -- support my teammates and be prepared if the bell rings. ... You can't control your playing time, but you can control the other parts of what you can contribute. It may not be by playing. It may be by being on the bench.
"There are things you see," he said. "Things you can offer."
Those "things" cannot be easily described. They're the types of "things" that only a 12-year veteran who has spent 11,316 innings behind the plate and has stepped in for 4,765 at-bats in the bigs can bring. They're the type of things that help a ballclub win.
The Red Sox can win without Varitek, but they're a better team with him on board. For $3 million, it's a no-brainer.
To read Mr. Hurley's complete article, click here.