When the Red Sox signed catcher Kelly Shoppach to a one-year, $1.35 million free agent contract earlier this winter, many took it as a signal of the conclusion of the Jason Varitek era in Boston.
But maybe that was an incorrect assumption.
According to Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald, the Red Sox have “kept the door open for further talks” with the 39-year-old. And Varitek’s agent, Scott Boras, seems to be pushing for a reunion:
“If there’s anyone that could best serve the No. 2 (catcher) role, it’s Jason,” Boras told the Herald. “Jason’s winning percentage that he provides when he catches and his impact on the pitching staff dramatically impact the Red Sox. ... Jason Varitek wants to play for the Boston Red Sox.”
Varitek batted just .221/.300/.423 across 250 plate appearances this past season for Boston, but the Red Sox had a had a .656 winning percentage when he was catching and a .490 mark when he was not.