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Hot Stove Burning Up For Red Sox 2

Posted on November 11, 2009 by Jared Carrabis

Theo is wasting no time tinkering with the Red Sox Roster

Theo is wasting no time tinkering with the Red Sox Roster

We’ve got a handful of things to talk about, following an eventful day initiated by Theo Epstein and company on Monday.

We’ll start with the captain. On Monday, the Red Sox declined the $5 million club option that remained on the contract signed by Jason Varitek this past offseason. However, still remaining is a $3 million player option, which Varitek can exercise himself and return to Boston no questions asked.

If and when Varitek exercises his $3 million option for 2010, he has performances bonuses in his contract that could potentially boost his 2010 earnings to $5 million.

On top of being guaranteed $3 million, the 37-year-old will receive $400,000 each for reaching the plateaus of 80, 90, 100, 110 and 120 games played. It’s only reasonable to assume that the most he could make would be in the $400-$800K range, if that.

I can almost promise you that Varitek will be with the Red Sox on Opening Day, maybe not starting, but definitely on the roster. There is absolutely no way that a catcher who hit .209 with a .313 OBP in 425 plate appearances could command more than $3 million with $2 million in incentives on the open market.
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    • Steve Grogan
      August 18, 2010 | 7:27 pm

      Steve Grogan

      We honor Steve Grogan as the Boston Sports Then and Now Athlete of the Month. The former Patriots quarterback left it all on the field during his 16 year career. Grogan was playing the “Patriots Way” before Bill Belichick introduced it in 2000.  He led by example and his teammates were always behind him.

      Steve Grogan was drafted by Patriots coach Chuck Fairbanks in the fifth round of the 1975 draft out of Kansas State. He was one of the school’s all time passing and total offense leaders. Grogan not only beat you with his arm but he was exceptionally quick for a man standing at 6’4”.

      The Patriots already had their franchise quarterback in place when he was drafted. Former Heisman Trophy winner, Jim Plunkett had been the Patriots starter for his first four years in the league. However, Coach Fairbanks was not afraid to make a move if a player was under-performing.  It didn’t matter who he was.

      Midway through the 1975 season, Grogan was given the reigns of the Patriots offense.  He started the last seven games with only one victory to his credit. As a rookie, Grogan posted respectable numbers with 1976 yards with 11 touchdowns and 18 interceptions.

      He also added 110 yards on the ground with three rushing scores.

      This would just be a sneak preview for things to come from the lanky quarterback out of K-State.

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