Theo: Red Sox could re-sign Varitek and a catcher of the future

With the Winter Meetings a few days away and Jason Varitek and Scott Boras still waiting for that big offer, Red Sox GM Theo Epstein told the Boston Globe that there are more catching options out there than you might think:

From the Globe's Amalie Benjamin: While there haven't been any new developments in terms of a potential deal with Jason Varitek, Theo Epstein allowed on Thursday that the team could both sign the Sox captain and make a trade for a catcher of the future in the same offseason.

"It's probably broader than people think, maybe not so deep," Epstein said, of the trade market for catching. "If you study all the clubs, there are more teams with a catcher to move than one might think or that maybe is being represented. That doesn't mean that we've found a way to match up yet. We haven't. Probably more teams out there with catching that they can move than anticipated.

He added, "We also have catchers waiting in the minor leagues who are talented, but maybe not quite ready to step into a prominent role right now. We'll see. I'm confident that we [will] find a way to end up with a reputable catching corps that we hope will have us set up not only for 2009, but also for the future."

The Texas Rangers are the obvious source for catching talent with Jarrod Saltalamacchia (23), Gerald Laird (29) and Taylor Teagarden (25 on 12/21). MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan says the Tigers ad Red are most interested in the older Laird and that the Red Sox are more interested in the younger "Salty" and "T-Garden."

As for the mysterious other options Theo mentions, the Boston Herald recently listed a few names of interest:

The Angels are open to dealing either Jeff Mathis or Mike Napoli, and manager and former catcher Mike Scioscia is a Varitek admirer. Other catchers being shopped to the Sox: Brian Schneider (Mets), Miguel Montero (Diamondbacks), John Buck (Royals), Ramon Hernandez (Orioles), Bengie Molina (Giants), Carlos Santana, Kelly Shoppach and even Victor Martinez (Indians), Jesus Flores (Nationals), Kenji Johima and Jeff Clement (Mariners), and Yorvit Torrealba (Rockies).

The Braves, Cardinals and Rays also have made some catchers available.

Victor Martinez can still catch, but Shoppach's 2008 season (21 HR, 55 RBI, .261 BA) could make the decision to slide Victor to first base easier. That would make Santana the possible back-up, making him tough to part with. That said, the Tribe could use some pitching help and a Santana for Buchholz deal may be doable... here's what MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince said about Santana in a recent Mailbag post:

Everyone I talk to who has seen Santana says he is the real deal, and the numbers certainly agree. Santana hit a combined .326 with 21 homers and 117 RBIs in 130 games between advanced Class A Inland Empire and Kinston ... What impressed me most about Santana was the way his numbers didn't take even the slightest bit of a dip after he was acquired in the July 26 trade that sent Casey Blake to the Dodgers ... On the defensive end, the 22-year-old Santana has a strong arm, but he has room to improve as a receiver. How quickly he improves will go a long way toward determining his big league timetable, as will the Indians' decisions involving Kelly Shoppach and Victor Martinez. With Santana beginning '09 in Double-A, I'd say a 2010 big league break-in is not out of the realm of possibility.

One seeming stumbling block to making a trade and re-signing Varitek would be the Tim Wakefield issue. While Cash -- who is arbitration-eligible and on the roster right now -- was Wakefield's catcher this past season, that doesn't mean that the Sox will necessarily need a personal catcher for the knuckleballer in the future.

"We have to be mindful of the fact that Wake can be a challenge for some catchers," Epstein said. "At the same time, I don't know that even Wake feels we should limit our options at catcher because of any one pitcher. We just have to strike the right balance. [Varitek's] caught him in the past. We'll see. There's no news on that front. He's always been an option to catch him. He's caught him in the past. It's obviously something that [Terry Francona's] stayed away from in recent years."

C Hardy on Sons of Sam Horn mentions White Sox rookie Donny Lucy as a good option for the Red Sox with Knuckle ball experience:

Lucy was selected by [Chicago] in the 2nd round (59th overall) in the '04 draft (ahead of Dustin Pedroia, who was 65th. Donny played on the Stanford teams with Jed Lowrie, Chris Carter, Ryan Garko, Carlos Quentin, Sam Fuld, and Danny Putnam - all of whom have made it at least for a cup of coffee to "The Show".

He was an All-Star at A and AA and was headed towards the same at AAA when he suffered a dislocated kneecap last May. He is a real smart, off-the-charts character and mature beyond his years handler of young pitchers. Before the injury, he also had off-the-charts athleticism for a catcher, with amazing SB/CS skills. He's got some RH pop, but not to the extent he should have shown by now - and like most catchers, too many swings and misses. He also caught Charlie Haeger's knuckler in the minors.

There are not a lot of guys with his upside (and at least some MLB experience) at that position available for the Rule 5 taking. But with A.J. in Chicago, there's not much chance for him to develop.

Bottom Line: There are definitely some options out there, but there a few guys saying that Varitek will accept the arbitration offer... If Tek does sign a 1-year deal, he'll be even more hard pressed to get a multi-year deal in 2009, so I don't see it happening. If it does, it will theoretically enable the Red Sox to hold onto guy like Buchholz and Bowden - which is obviously a good thing. We've also got Dusty Brown (.290) and George Kottaras (22 HR, 65 RBI) in Pawtucket, so there's no need to panic here...

I have a feeling next week's meetings will answer alot of questions so keep your ears open and The Bottom Line on your Favorites list.

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