Red Sox Continue Hunt for a Catcher

Red Sox have one objective left. It is still the same as what it was a month ago. The Red Sox need a starting catcher and it is coming to the point when they must decide between re-signing Jason Varitek or finding a catcher to replace him. Rumors have flown all over the place about who the Red Sox will use. General Manager Theo Epstein has even confirmed that the team is considering entering spring training with what they have which is Josh Bard and a combination of Dusty Brown and George Kottaras, who platooned last year at Triple A Pawtucket. Let me be frank, I don't think any Red Sox fan wants to see any of those guys in the starting lineup this spring.

The top two catchers that the Red Sox are trying to acquire through trades are the two young catchers Miguel Montero of the Diamondbacks or Jarrod Saltalamacchia of the Rangers. Talks with the diamondbacks are increasing as the Diamondbacks are not demanding pitcher Clay Buchholz unlike the Rangers demands which have included Buchholz during the entire trade talks. So Montero appears to be the frontrunner if the Red Sox are willing to part with some prospects. "Montero has put up big offensive numbers in the minors (.291, .356 OBP, .823 OPS), unfortunately his major-league totals have yet to match up to that track record. Montero has hit .239/.309/.720 in parts of three big-league seasons. So he could have trouble hitting this year.

The Red Sox appear to have had the last straw with dealing with Scott Boras which makes it unlikely Varitek will be coming back to Boston. Officials feel that the negotiations with Boras for Teixeira were not handled honestly by Boras. But, you never know if Boston gets desperate they may turn to Varitek and sign a Boras agent as much as they would hate to. But, at the moment the most likely story is a trade for Montero. Then the Red Sox would start the season platooning him with Bard. Good Luck hunting for catchers Boston because there isn't much out there.