Jason Varitek has seen many changes around these parts since first strapping on the catcher’s gear back in 1997, but next season is revving up the Red Sox captain, even though his role will be significantly diminished.
“I think our pitching staff got better. Definitely,” Varitek told CSNNE.com. “You add [John] Lackey into [a rotation that has] a horse like [Josh] Beckett. That’s going to win you games in the long haul.
Then you have a means to the end with Pap [Jonathan Papelbon] — that’s what going to win you lots of games. If you’re not going to beat somebody 15-12, you better be able to beat them 2-1.”
Taking a backseat to another player is never easy for a professional athlete, but Tek is happy with Boston’s new starting catcher, Victor Martinez, who was added late last summer.
“Whether he’s catching, playing first base, DHing, catching 140 games, or whatever he ends up doing, he is extremely valuable,” Varitek said of V-Mart.
“I already had to kind of accept [a lesser role] last year,” he added. “I think the last two months I didn’t really play very much. It is what it is. [I have to do] the things I have to do to try and help this team win.”
