Adios Tek

And so it begins, the free agent exodus from the 2004 Red Sox. In a conversation with WEEI this morning Scott Boras, agent for Jason Varitek, revealed the the kind of deal the catcher is seeking: five years, $50 million, and a no-trade clause. These are terms that the Red Sox are unlikely to meet, their offer to Varitek being a reported $24 million over 3 years.

Scott Boras offered a predictable spin on the situation:

"He actually gave Boston one of his free agent years, signed a contract there that was, I think, very club oriented, and he's been very loyal to the Red Sox. When he became a free agent, this is the time in his career when he has to concern himself with his family."

Family. Right. Of course. They must be suffering terribly; no doubt the $14.9 million Varitek made over the past three years simply does not go very far.

That kind of nonsense drives me batshit crazy. I don't begrudge a player the chance to sign a $50 million contract any more than I begrudge an actor taking $20 million to appear in a film - it's how the market works. What I do loathe is the kind disingenous posturing that would have us believe that a total of $38 million earned over six years is not enough to support one's family. Kindly leave off insulting my intelligence Mr. Boras and simply state the truth: you and your client are seeking the best (read: biggest) contract possible under the existing market conditions.