After posting one of the best records, if not the best record, throughout the summer months, the much-hyped 2011 Boston Red Sox suffered one of the worst collapses I as a fan have ever witnessed. Formerly Cy Young caliber pitchers became ineffective, everyone besides Marco Scutaro forgot how to hit, and Terry Francona apparently lost all sense of respect and control of the clubhouse. In the weeks since, we’ve seen Francona resign, Theo Epstein accept a job as the Cubs’ President of Baseball Operations, and Ben Cherington be promoted to General Manager, this time without Jed Hoyer (who left the Padres to accept the Cubs’ GM job under Epstein). But what does this all mean for the Red Sox offseason plans? Let’s have a look, position by position, at the Red Sox options this year, starting with the person will be manning the dish for the Sox next year: the catcher.
Under Contract
Jarrod Saltalamacchia (Arbitration Eligible)- The Red Sox starting catcher from 2011 hit .235/.288/.450 while belting 16 home runs and playing league average defense behind the plate, good for a WAR of 1.3, the highest of his career. However, these numbers equate to little more than a talented backup, and Ben Cherington might be inclined to find and upgrade. If Saltalamacchia could increase his average and OBP up to around the .250/.320 range while maintaining his power, he would be a bargain at whatever his arbitration salary will be (MLBTradeRumors.com estimates $1.6 million). However, Saltalamacchia’s entire career has been a question of “if only he could…” so what the Red Sox will do is still up in the air. Given the lack of quality catching depth around the league right now, I would not be surprised, or dismayed, if Salty starts for the Red Sox on Opening Day 2012.
Ryan Lavarnway (League Minimum)- Lavarnway spent 2011 splitting time between Portland, Pawtucket, and Boston. In 220 at-bats in Pawtucket, Lavarnway hit .295/.390/.612 with 18 home runs, before being called up to Boston, where in limited playing time (39 at-bats) put up very Saltalamacchia-esque numbers; .231/.302/.436 with a couple home runs. Few doubt that, offensively at least, Lavarnway would be a suitable backup at the major league level, perhaps even an improvement of Salty. However, his defense, despite recent improvements, has always been spotty, and his range behind the plate is limited. Whether or not Lavarnway gets a lot of at-bats with Boston in 2012 could depend on whether or not David Ortiz returns to the club, as he might be better suited as a DH/C combination.
Luis Exposito (Minor League Contract)- Pawtucket’s primary catcher was overtaken by Lavarnway on the depth charts, this past year, but still has the potential to be a solid major leaguer. Known more for his skills behind the plate than offensive prowess, Exposito hit .242/.298/.367 at AAA Pawtucket last year, numbers he’ll need to improve on if he wants to be in the mix for the Red Sox backup job. Depending on where Lavarnway ends up, Exposito should either start the season as Pawtucket’s starting catcher, or the backup.
Free Agents
Jason Varitek (Type B, 2011 Salary: $2,000,000)- The Red Sox’s current captain has perhaps played his last game as a member of the Red Sox, but it would not be inconceivable for Ben Cherington to bring back the veteran as Saltalamacchia’s backup for a second straight year. Despite his increasing age, Varitek remains somewhat of a threat behind the plate, he hit .221/.300/.423 in 2011 with 11 home runs, and is still one of the best game-callers around, even if his ability to throw out would-be base stealers has decreased in past years. Given the Red Sox’s apparent need for clubhouse leadership, Varitek might be a good option on a one-year deal. However, Varitek was the captain of the most dysfunctional clubhouse in baseball last year, and the Red Sox might look elsewhere.
Kelly Shoppach (2011 Salary: $3,000,000)- the Tampa Bay Rays hold a $3.2 million club option on the former Red Sox minor leaguer (who was traded to Cleveland as part of the Coco Crisp trade), and could be amenable to bringing him back. The Rays, for their part, are almost guaranteed to decline the option, as Shoppach has been mostly a disappointment in his two years with the club, hitting .176/.268/.339 last year, although he did have 11 home runs in 221 at-bats. The Red Sox could buy low and take a chance on the 31-year-old, hoping he regains the form that he showed in 2008, when he hit 22 home runs as the Indians starting catcher.
Ryan Doumit (Type B, 2011 Salary: $5,200,000)- If the Red Sox want to make more of an investment at the catcher position, they could go with the former Pirates backstop, who hit .303/.353/.477 for the Bucs this past season. They would not have to surrender a draft pick to sign Doumit (though the Pirates would receive a supplemental pick as compensation), however, the Red Sox seem to be content with Saltalamacchia as the starting catcher, and while Doumit may provide better offensive output now, relegating Salty to a backup role at this stage in his career will certainly hinder his development as an MLB starter.
