Red Sox-Mets Talking Deal For Schneider
Two industry sources here at the Bellagio have confirmed the Boston Red Sox are in discussions with the New York Mets about catcher Brian Schneider, a further indication the Red Sox are preparing for the departure of captain Jason Varitek.
It was unclear what players the Red Sox would send to Queens in a deal for Schneider, but the Mets are known to need starting pitching, and the Red Sox could have a surplus, even if they fail to sign a top target such as Derek Lowe.
Schneider, 32, was a popular member of the Washington Nationals before going to the Mets a year ago in the trade that brought Lastings Milledge to D.C. He has one more year, at $4.9 million, remaining on the four-year $16 million contract he signed while a member of the Nationals in 2006.
Varitek declined the Red Sox's offer of arbitration last night, preferring to hit the free agent market in hopes of securing a multi-year deal.
By Dave Sheinin |
December 8, 2008; 6:47 PM ET
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Posted by: natsfan1a1 | December 8, 2008 8:28 PM
The BoSox always liked Schneider. I remember stories from back in '05 about them inquiring about him (as a back-up)
Posted by: 1of9000 | December 8, 2008 8:35 PM
Schneider would give them what they got from Tek last year defensively and in terms of "offense,"
Posted by: jca-CrystalCity | December 8, 2008 8:48 PM
If Veritek accepts the Red Sox offer for 2 years at +/-$10M, bringing in Schneider as backup and/or fill-in should Jason go on the DL, is a wise move, for the near term.
As experienced as Brian is, the pressure of playing in Boston, as the primary backstop, cannot be ignored. The fans and press will be on him in short order if he slumps with the bat or plays poor defense.
I, for one, cannot understand why the Sox brass ignored Veritek's aging out a year ago..it was so obvious.
Posted by: dickhealy | December 8, 2008 9:13 PM
The pressure angle occurred to me as well. OTOH, he did play in NYC last year, which is also somewhat of a pressure cooker.
Posted by: natsfan1a1 | December 9, 2008 8:58 AM
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I always liked the Schneiderman. Maybe he'd actually, you know, get to play in the postseason if a deal is done.