The U.S. (and rest of the world for that matter) is experiencing challenging economic times. Moreover, an economic turnaround is not expected any time soon.
While players such as C.C. Sabathia and Mark Teixeira and their new deals seem to defy the current global economic environment, the market for free agents has been affected. Just ask Manny Ramirez. And Jason Varitek.
Varitek, the Red Sox captain, has been offered a $5 million deal from the team. The deal includes an option for a second year that would be worth $5 million if the Sox exercise it and $3 million if Varitek does.
Varitek, who turned down arbitration on December 7th, would have earned somewhere between $10-$12 million for 2009.
Varitek's agent, the uber-jerk Scott Boras, thought he could "create a market" for Varitek.
Varitek had career lows in batting average (.220), OBP (.313), slugging percentage (.359) and OPS (.672) in 2008.
With a little more than 2 weeks to go before pitchers and catchers report to spring training, it would be wise for Varitek to accept the Sox' offer, which the team says is good until Friday.
