Rangers and Red Sox talk but nothing else

I sincerely hope that the Red Sox keep Jason Varitek. Sure, he lacked in the offensive category this year (well, okay, a lot seeing that it was the worst in his career), but you don't just give up on a guy because he has one bad year. What i think about, is how much he means to the Red Sox organization. He is such a leader, and is so essential when it comes to pitchers. I, and I think a lot of others, will be heart broken to see Varitek leave.
As far as Clay Buchholz goes, I think that the Red Sox should develop him more. Even though he went 2-9 before he was optioned to AA Portland (I think...) that was because they changed his strategy in AAA during his rehab... or that's what i heard at least. As far as I know, he's doing pretty well in the AFL, so why not see how he is in spring training? Plus, the Sox have a thing for developing players.
I don't think the Sox should give up Justin Masterson. As you saw from the playoffs, he is really good, and he's only going to get better. He could be a starter, or provide depth in the bullpen (which is what the Sox really need right now).
I don't really know much about Michael Bowden, but if he's as good as everyone says he is, I think that the Sox should just look over him in Spring Training.
I'd just love to bring Derek Lowe to the Red Sox, or even Mark Teixiera. I don't know what that would cost us though, in terms of players. I know we have fifty million to play around with, but I wouldn't be too keen on giving up players.
-Elizabeth
redsoxgirl46.mlblogs.com

The Red Sox need to trade someone to get a young catcher but they have no pitching prospects that they are willing to part with. I can't blame them because they are all great young players. But sometimes when you want to get a great young player you have to give up a great young player and I think that they should give up Justin Masterson or Clay Buchholz. They don't want to give either one up because Justin Masterson has been great in the playoffs and he also helped make a stable bulpen in the regular season so that should be his spot. For Clay Buchholz they don't want to trade him because they still see alot of spark and potential in him. They are willing to give up Michael Bowden but he might be the one who has the most upside to his game but with whatever Theo does I belive he will make the best choise for the team. But the Red Sox do need a young catcher that they can groom to be the starter in one or two years. If the Red Sox do get Tek then who would they be willing to give up to get a young catcher???? They need one and there is no doubt about it but I am all for signing Tek for 2 years. Go Sox!!!!!!!!!!

Well I am a Rangers fan and I have seen Saltalamacchia and Laird first hand. Saltalamacchia is only 23. He has a tremendous bat. He was hurt last year. His catching abilities are getting better. He's very close to becoming a top tier catcher. The only problem is the Rangers have Teagarden who, in my opinion, is a little ahead of Saltalamacchia. Teagarden is the one Texas catcher I wouldn't trade for anything. I don't care if you offered Roy Halladay straight up for him. I wouldn't do it. He is the long term future at that position. I think if the Rangers traded Saltalamacchia for Buchholz straight up the Red Sox couldn't complain. What if they threw in like a Brandon Boggs or Jose Vallejo? Then it might be Bowden territory.

Nate.
txrangersblog.mlblogs.com

The SOX have waited too long to find a young cather and now have to trade some young pitching to accomplish their dire need. I would be very happy with any of the Rangers catchers. We need a serious up grade at this position. I have no problem trading Buchholz or Bowden but to me Masterson is untouchable at this time. GO SOX !!!

get rid of bucholz no hitter or not You got rid of hanley ramirez and if we had him we would of won last year easily WE NEED A GOOD YOUNG CATCHER TO REPLACE TEK FOR THE NEXT DECADE! Keep bowden bucholz doesn't have the right mentality to be big gamer

Here's a question for you Sox fans...have the Red Sox drafted any quality catching talent in the last 3-4 years?

One would think they should have knowing of Varitek's age and how much he meant to the orginization.

I hope when he retires it's as a Boston Red Sox player.

I know that the Rangers need pitching. Pitching is a scarce commodiity, so the Red Sox should be very careful in trading for relatively unknown talent with quality pitching. I would trade Buchholz for one of their quality young catching prospects, because I don't think he will make it as a quality starter.

Varitek has a very little market outside of Boston, if that is the case and they sign him and he doesn't hit, believe me this will happen, he better get some cotton for his ears, because he is going to be hearing boo birds flying at him.
He has put himself in a bad situation, no intrest, from other teams, asking for stupid contract, and aging bat. I do not understand why somebody doesn't tell him he cannot swing lefthanded anymore. Stay right handed.
It is absolutely stupid to keep 3 catchers on roster. Bullpen, or another roster spot is taken off, This really hurts this team if they do this. If you are going to keep 3 catchers might as well as bring someone from the farm up and learn. No need to trade Bucholtz, or any young arms to Texas.
GAGNE FOR GABBARD AND DAVID MURPHY, do not trade with this team, they jinxed us.

I have to agree with rbsul9.....Varitek's value has greatly diminished, and the Sox brass is faced with major decisions; however, before we sell the farm for a Texas prospect perhaps we should consider what we have on the farm. Several years ago we obtained George Kottaras and literally stole him from the Padres organization. He has shown(especially this year) good power numbers (22 Home runs and 18 doubles). In 107 games he batted .243 and if memory serves me right he hit better in the second half of the season. In addition, Dusty Brown put up pretty good numbers to merit a look see. Bowden, Bucholtz and Masterson should not be dangled as trade bait. It took the Redsox organization a long time to finally see the light....to build from within. The answer ....give these kids a chance. As for Veritek , he should be given consideration because he has meant so much to our organization.......but Theo should not be held prisoner by Boras. Make Tek a fair offer, but he has to realize that his value is not what Boras is projecting and his skill is on the downside. Tek can give a lot to our young catching prospects and this has major value, too. I would hate to see the captain play for anyone else, but there is a reality that must be faced.
For years I watched the Redsox mired at the bottom of the American League. For years our team was built on hitting and hitting only. .... no pitching, speed or defense. Theo and our scouting staff have brought a breath of fresh air to our organization because we have these components. The young guns must be retained and given a chance. Don't repeat the mistakes of former general managers, most notably Gorman's gift to the Astros.
These kids we have now can pitch, and this year just goes to show you that you can never have enough pitching. Can Kottaras catch at the big league level....lets find out?

I say no to trading Buchholz or Bowden, and I doubt that Masterson is even in the discussion, which is good. I'm for re-signing Varitek and really investing time in Kottaras for mentoring and a shot at displacing Cash. He's caught Zink a lot, so he should be prepared for that role. From what I've heard he's improved substantially behind the plate and he's finally begun living up to his reputation at it. His weak arm won't even be a factor catching Wakefield. Give him a good look before trading a blue chip pitching prospect. That also gives you a chance to look at those prospects.

I'm against trading Buchholz or Bowden, and I doubt that Masterson is even in the discussion, which is good. I'm also for re-signing Varitek and investing experience in Kottaras for mentoring and a shot at supplanting Cash. He's caught Zink a lot so he should be prepared for that role. Everyone was excited when we picked him up and now he's an afterthought, despite the reports that he's improved dramatically behind the plate and begun to live up to his upside at it. His weak arm will not even be a factor catching Wakefield.

Give him a real look and you also have some time to look at the blue chip pitchers further. If he's a failure then trade for someone else. The Merloni shuttle looming behind him might prove a great motivating factor.