Sox caught with uncertain future behind plate

FORT MYERS, Fla. — It was an odd dance that followed the 2008 season. Jason Varitek was a free agent, but the Red Sox seemed in no particular hurry to re-sign him following a career-worst offensive season. Yet there were few apparent catching alternatives for the Sox, as the team’s minor league options were considered unready to assume full-time duties in the majors, and the pickings were slim among the rest of the free agent catching crop.

And so, two sides with no real alternatives to a reunion (Varitek became all but guaranteed to return to the Sox once the club offered him arbitration) moved incredibly slowly to what, in retrospect, seemed an inevitable outcome. The Sox explored trade options (Miguel Montero, Kelly Shoppach, Jarrod Saltalamacchia), but one team source recalled that there was never a definitive backup plan to bringing back Varitek. Though the process dragged into February of 2009, Varitek returned to the Sox on a two-year, $8 million deal.

Now, it is fair to wonder whether history will repeat itself following the coming season. This time, both slated everyday catcher Victor Martinez and backup Varitek are due to reach free agency following the 2010 campaign. And the question remains: Will the Sox have any alternatives should both of those players leave?

FREE AGENT ALTERNATIVES

Presuming that superstar Joe Mauer re-signs with the Twins, the group of free agent alternatives to Martinez — presuming that a team determines that he represents a legitimate everyday catching option for 2011 and beyond — is unimpressive.

 

A.J. Pierzynski is arguably the best of the class. He’ll turn 34 on Dec. 31, nearing the age of steep decline for most catchers. He maintained his solid offensive production (.300/.331/.425/.755) in 2009, and could position himself as a solid option to Mauer and Martinez if he avoids a precipitous decline this coming year, despite a mixed reputation.

 

Beyond Pierzynski, Martinez, Mauer and Varitek, Gerald Laird was the only other catcher who had an everyday role in 2009 and will be a free agent following the 2010 season. Laird is known for above-average defense, but his offense (.225/.306/.320/.626) was no better than Varitek’s (.209/.313/.390/.703) last season.

 

The rest of the class features part-timers such as Ramon Hernandez, Gregg Zaun, Yorvit Torrealaba and John Buck. The second coming of Yogi Berra isn’t exactly likely to be on the market.

 

But, in a perfect world, the Sox would undoubtedly prefer to look internally to a replacement catcher should both Martinez and Varitek depart. The question remains whether the team has anyone in its system who could emerge for such a role.

 

CATCHING PIPELINE

 

Undoubtedly, the Sox are in a better place now than they were prior to the 2009 season with regards to catching in the system. The team had several catchers take noteworthy developmental steps last season. For a team whose inability to develop catching has represented, at times, an Achilles heel, it was a meaningful development.

 

“We had a pretty good year as far as the development of our young catchers. A lot of those guys took a step forward and were closer to helping us than when the year started,” said Assistant GM Ben Cherington. “We feel like we’re in good shape as far as catching depth in the organization. We feel good that we have guys at the upper levels who are capable of coming up and playing [should either Varitek or Martinez get injured].”

 

There are some evaluators who look at the Sox’ catching and still question whether there is a legitimate everyday option available in the minors. But Cherington argues that such skepticism is, in some ways, the byproduct of unreasonable expectations.

 

The average American League catcher hit .254 with a .316 OBP, .408 slugging mark and .724 OPS in 2009. If a backstop can combine that sort of modest offensive performance with average to above average defense behind the plate, then while you may not have the next Mauer, the overall package would be that of a solid to above average catcher.

 

There is no guarantee that the Sox feature such