Tex and the Nats...

[PatsNats28]

If he's willing to be a backup with us, I'd do it. He provides great veteran leadership for the team, and would help in the development of our pitchers.

[PANatsFan]

If he's willing to be a backup with us, I'd do it. He provides great veteran leadership for the team, and would help in the development of our pitchers.

I can't believe we'd waste 2 picks getting Tex and Varitek. Dunn costs zero.

[spidernat]

Varitek calls a darn good game. 

[eagleskins]

Varitek is a fatbody.  Put Varitek, Belly, Meat, and NJ in a Chinese buffet, and watch the carnage that ensues. 

[PANatsFan]

Varitek is a fatbody.  Put Varitek, Belly, Meat, and NJ in a Chinese buffet, and watch the carnage that ensues. 

"This my rifle, this my gun. This is for fighting, this is for fun"

[MrMadison]

I can't believe we'd waste 2 picks getting Tex and Varitek. Dunn costs zero.

the President of the Adam Dunn fanclub has spoken. 

[PANatsFan]

the President of the Adam Dunn fanclub has spoken. 

If you can't argue with my logic, make fun of me. Good one, MrMad

[MrMadison]

If you can't argue with my logic, make fun of me. Good one, MrMad

whose to say that I don't agree?

Dunn doesn't cost a draft pick, that makes him much more attractive than he was before.  I'm willing to lose a pick for Tex(he's worth it), but not for Varitek(he's not).  if it is a package deal, meaning in order for Tex to sign, we have to sign Varitek as well(which is damn ridiculous when you think about it), then I'm all for signing Dunn instead. Varitek won't bring anything to this team that validates paying him a crapload of money.

and besides, even though I want Tex to sign, I'll be more than pleased if we settle for Dunn.

but then again, you'd take Dunn even if Tex agree to sign for 4 mill a season and donate his salary to the PANatsFan family fund, and we didn't lose a draft pick for it.   

cause you know...Dunn is Godly and stuff.

[PANatsFan]

whose to say that I don't agree?

Dunn doesn't cost a draft pick, that makes him much more attractive than he was before.  I'm willing to lose a pick for Tex(he's worth it), but not for Varitek(he's not).  if it is a package deal, meaning in order for Tex to sign, we have to sign Varitek as well(which is damn ridiculous when you think about it), then I'm all for signing Dunn instead. Varitek won't bring anything to this team that validates paying him a crapload of money.

and besides, even though I want Tex to sign, I'll be more than pleased if we settle for Dunn.

but then again, you'd take Dunn even if Tex agree to sign for 4 mill a season and donate his salary to the PANatsFan family fund, and we didn't lose a draft pick for it.   

cause you know...Dunn is Godly and stuff.

Like I said, it's impeccable logic. Make fun all you want. I'm a big boy.

Besides, he'd have to sign for 10 mil a season and give it all to me

[PatsNats28]

Varitek calls a darn good game. 

where have we heard that before?

[cmdterps44]

Eh, i like Varitek but i wouldnt want him here since we have Flores to improve even more. If he were to backup alright i guess, but Tex is still the main target id say. If we locked him down long term it would be nice to see him than like a 2-3 year deal with Dunn.

[tomterp]

by definition, taking a pitcher number 1 overall is a dumb pick (look at the history of number 1 overalls)

You still have to choose correctly.  Better to have 100% of the field available to choose from, then the leftovers.

[blue911]

Because he's not a perfect catcher.  It's one of the few holes in his game, but frankly, there aren't many catchers out there who are good it catching for a knuckleballers.  It's as niche of a skill as throwing one is.  Being a good catcher is more than just keeping balls from getting to the backstop.  And by and large, he still does many of those things very well.  His offensive stats are virtually the same as Flores' but is better defensively.  I've always been one to think that someone like that can really help a young player like Flores as he continues to develop.  He'd also, I think help with a young pitching staff.  He demands instant credibility and gives those pitchers confidence.  One thing he also does is lend credibility to the organization with the fans.  Most fans are going to recognize his name.  IMO, I'd say the positives outweight the negatives assuming it'd only be for a couple of years.

You're going to have to explain Kevin Cash to me. The guy had never caught a knuckleball in his life, yet he became Wakefield's catcher in August of '07 when Boston was in a pennant fight. I know it wasn't because of his sub .400 OBS.

[HalfSmokes]

Will Tek even cost a pick after his performance last year?

[UpperDec]

Yes, Varitek is a Type A free agent.  I know it combines at least the last 2 years of stats for a player, but it does surprise me as well.

[ronnynat]

Type A players are ranked in the top 30 percent of players at their positions over the last two years, right? If so, I guess it makes sense that Varitek is a Type A FA. There aren't too many good all-around catchers.

[ronnynat]

Darren Oliver and Doug Brocail are Type A's, too.

What really sucks about Varitek being a Type A is that the Red Sox get an extra first rounder AGAIN. They know what they're doing in Boston.

[DCFan]

Yes, Varitek is a Type A free agent.  I know it combines at least the last 2 years of stats for a player, but it does surprise me as well.

Well it's the kiss of death for him then. Who the hell is going to go after a washed up catcher who will be 37 when the season starts knowing it'll cost them 2 draft picks?  :stupid:

[PANatsFan]

Well it's the kiss of death for him then. Who the hell is going to go after a washed up catcher who will be 37 when the season starts knowing it'll cost them 2 draft picks?  :stupid:

Under the new CBA it's only 1 and then only 1st round if its pick 16-30. I'm predicting he goes unsigned until May or June, whenever he's allowed to go back to the Sox.

[DPMOmaha]

Or until someone gets a catcher hurt and needs someone to get them through a stretch run.

[DCFan]

Under the new CBA it's only 1 and then only 1st round if its pick 16-30. I'm predicting he goes unsigned until May or June, whenever he's allowed to go back to the Sox.

From the Globe;

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2008/12/02/offers_are_made_for_arbitration/

If Varitek declines and the Sox do not sign him, they would be awarded a first-round pick and a sandwich pick in the 2009 draft. If Byrd declines, the Sox would get a sandwich pick in that draft.

Varitek is almost certain not to accept arbitration, as he (and agent Scott Boras) have in mind a multiyear contract.

Multi-year contract??? 

[DPMOmaha]

You're going to have to explain Kevin Cash to me. The guy had never caught a knuckleball in his life, yet he became Wakefield's catcher in August of '07 when Boston was in a pennant fight. I know it wasn't because of his sub .400 OBS.

Like I said, it's a niche skill.  Not everyone can do it.  I don't get to watch the Sox that often so I can't comment on Cash specifically, but it's something that some just aren't good at.  Maybe Cash is just quicker right now than Varitek as he's surely lost some quickness to handle some of those sudden last second movement the knuckleball is notorious for.  

[PANatsFan]

From the Globe;

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2008/12/02/offers_are_made_for_arbitration/

Multi-year contract??? 

This writer is an idiot or lazy. It's a conditional pick based on the team who signs. The sandwich pick is added, the signing team only gives up one.

http://mlb.mlb.com/pa/pdf/cba_english.pdf

Article XX, Section B, Part 4, Paragraphs c & d.

[cmdterps44]

according to mlbtr and ken rosenthal:

"Rosenthal doesn't see Mark Teixeira signing with the Nationals, even for the rumored ten-year, $200MM contract. He's got better options in the Angels, Red Sox, and Yankees. Scott Boras managed to get Alex Rodriguez a ten-year deal with a losing team in 2000 when he signed with the Rangers, but Rosenthal doesn't forsee a repeat.

Nationals GM Jim Bowden is interested in Willy Taveras. Doesn't make any sense to me. The Nats already have Lastings Milledge, Josh Willingham, Elijah Dukes, and Austin Kearns."

Willy Taveras, honestly? If we end up getting him, then i can see that we just throw out every name and get what we can get.

[MrMadison]

if Bowden gets Wily Taveras and then tries to sell him as a major acquisition, then Bowden has to go. seriously.