The end of Jason Varitek‘s tenure with the Red Sox means pitcher Josh Beckett will have to adjust to a new catcher in 2012. Jarrod Saltalamacchia proved himself more than capable last season and appears ready to gain Beckett’s trust. Beckett is not the only Boston pitcher who will have to make an adjustment with Varitek out of the Red Sox clubhouse for the first time in 15 years.
Hey Don, With Jason Varitek no longer Josh Beckett’s everyday catcher, who do you think will take his place?
–Jay Lauretano, Southington
It will be interesting to see what Bobby Valentine’s thoughts are on personal catchers. Terry Francona was never a fan but found himself changing his mind at times. That sort of took out of his hands a chance to mix things up with the lineup. Also, come playoff time it is hard to switch the catcher that a pitcher has been using during the season. I think Beckett will be fine with Saltalamacchia and, if not, Kelly Shoppach was pretty good with a lot of the very good Tampa pitchers last year.
How will this pitching staff adjust without the presence of Jason Varitek?
–Jackson, Falls Church
I think that adjustment already took place last year to some degree with Saltalamacchia taking over the starting role. Varitek’s reduced role sort of changed things but I do think he will be missed. He was very valuable to both Saltalamacchia and Victor Martinez before that. There are very few catchers who know the league better than Varitek and he always prepared the same, even if he was not catching that day. I know there were several pitchers who relied on his opinions and his preparation.
Your input on Felix Doubront — do you feel it’s a make or break year for him? Or could the Sox just package him in a trade down the line?
–Paul Crowley, Hulls Cove, Me.
I think it is an important year for him. His health issues over the past few years have sort of stunted his development. The Red Sox are very high on him and have said all along that they see him as a future starter. I suppose he could be part of a trade down the line but the Red Sox are sort of in the middle of restocking their farm system. A lot of their prospects have been used over the past few years to help better the major league team. Certainly the Adrian Gonzalez deal hurt the depth of the farm system — a deal I still think was terrific. I thought it would take Jacoby Ellsbury or Clay Buchholz to get him and neither went in the deal. Anyway, I agree it is an important year for Doubront. I think the combination of the Sox being quiet from a free agency standpoint and last year’s September collapse puts extreme pressure to have a quality start to the season.
If they struggle out of the gate, do you see Bobby V. panic a little and have issues with the Boston media?
–Rick, South Windsor, Conn.
It will be very interesting to see how this all goes down. I think Valentine is a different manager than he was with the Mets. I think years, time and Japan have changed his approach a little. Will there be give and take with the media? I think so but I think he will be afforded a good amount of rope and patience in the beginning. I do think this will be a much different experience than what we were used to the last eight years with Francona. I don’t think panic will be an issue but holding the players accountable publically could be part of his managing.
What’s your favorite part about spring training?
–Jack, Medford
I love seeing the prospects that we may see down the road. The guys that are a year or two away that we will not see during the regular season. I can remember seeing a young Hanley Ramirez and knowing he was going to be special. It is their chance to catch everyone’s eye especially the new general manager and manager.
