The Boston Red Sox boast the longest running current battery mates in Major League Baseball in pitcher Tim Wakefield and catcher Jason Varitek, but it appears as if both players’ time in Beantown could be coming to an abrupt end at the same time.
While nothing is yet official, the writing is clearly on the wall. If that were not evident enough before yesterday, the Red Sox signed veteran back-up catcher Kelly Shoppach to a one year guaranteed deal worth $1.35 million. It will be his second stint behind the plate in Boston.
Shoppach, who will turn 32-years-old near the beginning of the 2012 season, will back-up Jarrod Saltalamacchia and perhaps even Ryan Lavarnway. But regardless of where he winds up on the depth chart, it all but assures Varitek of needing to find a new home next season, depending on whether or not he decides to continue his playing career.
Varitek will turn 40-years-old around the same time as Shoppach and has seen more time as a Boston backstop than any othe...
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