Maybe Jason Varitek isn't really that dumb.
The veteran catcher, in many ways the face of the Red Sox for the better part of a decade, certainly misjudged his worth on the open market. He failed to foresee the unwillingness of other teams to forfeit a first-round draft pick for his services. He found himself blasted by fans and media alike for overplaying his hand in his quest for a multi-year deal with which he could extend his career.
Look where things stand, though: The Red Sox this week presented Varitek with an offer -- an offer that includes a team option as well as a player option for the 2010 season. Should he sign on the dotted line, the catcher would virtually ensure himself professional employment until close to his 39th birthday.
This was never about money. This was about job security. This was about the opportunity to play big-league baseball for another two seasons instead of one.
The Rest of the Story
The veteran catcher, in many ways the face of the Red Sox for the better part of a decade, certainly misjudged his worth on the open market. He failed to foresee the unwillingness of other teams to forfeit a first-round draft pick for his services. He found himself blasted by fans and media alike for overplaying his hand in his quest for a multi-year deal with which he could extend his career.
Look where things stand, though: The Red Sox this week presented Varitek with an offer -- an offer that includes a team option as well as a player option for the 2010 season. Should he sign on the dotted line, the catcher would virtually ensure himself professional employment until close to his 39th birthday.
This was never about money. This was about job security. This was about the opportunity to play big-league baseball for another two seasons instead of one.
The Rest of the Story
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