Catcher goes to Spring Training for first time as backup.
BOSTON -- It was on the frozen tundra of Fenway Park -- the freshly made ice in place for the National Hockey League's Jan. 1 Winter Classic -- where Jason Varitek emerged Friday morning. It was in this wintry setting where Varitek spoke to the media for the first time since exercising his player option to return to the Red Sox for a 13th season.
Given his lack of a contract beyond 2010, it could be the last of Varitek's career. But the 37-year-old captain is too focused on maximizing however much longer he has in his career to think about hanging up his spikes.
"I don't really know," Varitek said. "As far as when retirement is, I don't really think about that. I'm thinking about preparing and physically and mentally getting ready for a season. Healing up, getting healthy and getting strong and getting ready for the next one. As far as when that happens, [if] you asked me the first half of last season, [I thought I'd] have a long time left. Then, some things didn't go so well after. I have to gauge and adjust to a different role and see what I can do before I can really make that decision. My body is healthy, and I'm able to compete at a level where I can contribute. I don't know how long I'll play."
For the first time since he won Boston's starting catching position in 1999, Varitek spends his winter knowing he is preparing to be the backup. Victor Martinez, one of the best offensive catchers in the game, will get the bulk of the time behind the plate.
In a way, Varitek has been surprised at how much talk there has been about his upcoming reduced role, since that was pretty much the way things went after Martinez was acquired on July 31.
"Things fell that way kind of the last two months of the season anyway," Varitek said. "My role changed. There's different parts. I handled a lot early, played a lot and handled it in a full-time capacity. But I think that just seeing in a different role, how my body adapts to maybe the less pounding and the less physical grind, it might be a good time for me to transition. I'm preparing as I always do, to be able to handle as much as I can. I'll prepare for a full-time role even though it's dictated another way, and that way if something happens, I'm ready to go."
Once the Red Sox declined their club option ($5 million) on Varitek, he certainly had the option of becoming a free agent and pursuing an increased role somewhere else. But he had pretty much decided from the outset that he would kick in his $3 million option and stay in the only place he has played in his Major League career.
"I don't think it was much of a decision for me, because that's what I set out to do and what was so important to me a year ago, that this time last year, to make sure -- I wanted an opportunity to have a second year [in Boston]," Varitek said. "Most importantly to me, I'm here. I had the opportunity to come back and to be in Boston."
With the pounding Varitek has taken over the years, it isn't surprising that injuries have made him all but a nonfactor offensively during the stretch drive of the past two seasons. And only now that the grind of the season is over will Varitek admit that he played with a broken big toe. There was also a shoulder injury that troubled him for several months.
But acknowledging there were bumps and bruises and saying they were the reason for his struggles are two entirely different things for Varitek, who has the same no-excuses mentality as some of the hockey players -- Hall of Famer Bobby Orr included -- who skated around him on Friday morning.
"I'm not going to make an excuse," Varitek said. "Things happen. I had a broken big toe. But I still don't believe that's why I struggled more in the second half. I had some good points, and I had some not so good points. Hopefully I can go into this next one and help this team on a consistent basis."
One of the fascinating things about Varitek settling into his reduced role for a full season is whether it will maximize what he can do offensively. Perhaps manager Terry Francona will put Varitek in more situations right-handed, where he has been a much bigger threat the past several seasons.
For example, Martinez could play first against lefties, a situation that could work particularly well if lefty Casey Kotchman winds up being the team's primary first baseman, with Kevin Youkilis moving across the diamond.
"I'll have to prepare," Varitek said. "You start against a lefty, and all of a sudden he lasts three innings, and they bring in a righty. Over the last three or four years, early in my career, they turned me around and made me hit right-handed. Every time we faced the Yankees, I'd have to hit off [lefty reliever Mike] Stanton. Things switched. I have an easier ability repeating from that side. It doesn't matter how long it's been. The other way I can be even more of a force [right-handed] is off the bench. That would increase my playing time."
For those who have observed Varitek for a long time, it should come as no surprise that he doesn't plan on being in smell-the-roses mentality in 2010.
"I think you can reflect back when you're done," Varitek said. "I'm preparing to come out here and get to Spring Training and make sure I win myself a job and to make sure I'm able to help this team win games. When I'm done and sitting on the couch and doing that full-time, then I can probably reflect more. I'm happy, and always feel fortunate that I've been able to be here and have a career, period."
Yes, Varitek did say that he needs to win a job in Spring Training. This, from the man who has held the title of captain since 2005.
"Everybody does," Varitek said. "I don't think a detail makes a difference. It's an extra letter on a uniform, but I prepare myself to go out there and be ready this spring, and work my way into trying to play at a high level."
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