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Varitek chose to return to Boston despite the club's decision to decline its $5 million option on Varitek this week and general manager Theo Epstein saying he expects Victor Martinez to be the everyday guy behind the plate. "We're happy to have Jason back, and we look forward to a good year from him in 2010," Epstein told a group of reporters at the GM Meetings in Chicago. "He means an awful lot to the organization, on and off the field. He helps solidify our catching position also and is a big asset to the pitching staff."
After an injury-riddled 2008 campaign, Martinez returned with authority in ’09, racking up his third 100-RBI season while batting over .300 for the fourth time in the last five years. He particularly thrived after his trade to Boston, as he seamlessly slipped into the middle of a deep Red Sox lineup to hit .336 with 20 extra-base hits, 41 RBIs and 32 runs in 56 games. The 30-year-old backstop should once again be one of the first catchers off the board in most drafts next season.
Amazingly enough, only a hitless pinch-hit appearance on Sept. 27 stands in the way of Victor Martinez and a 32-game hitting streak. The backstop saved his most dramatic hit during the streak for Saturday. The four-bagger gave him 108 RBIs, leaving him as likely the only catcher to rack up triple-digit RBIs in '09.
Another solid performance at the dish for the switch-hitter, who has hit safely in each of his past 27 starts since Aug. 28, posting .347 average (35-for-101) over that span
The first baseman/catcher needed a day off, according to manager Terry Francona. "Yeah, he's been catching a lot, and he's going to catch tomorrow," said Francona on Sunday. With Martinez resting on the bench, Jason Varitek took over behind the plate and Jason Bay took Martinez's customary spot at the three-hole.
Martinez continues to reward the Red Sox for acquiring him at the Trade Deadline, turning in a .332 average since arriving from the Indians. If there's one downside to the way he's performed lately, it's that he's homered just once since embarking on his streak.
Martinez is batting .349 (29-for-83) during this run. Although it's the longest hitting streak of his career, it's hardly a surprise to see one of the best catchers in fantasy swinging a hot bat. V-Mart has posted a .333-6-34 line in 45 games since joining the Red Sox.
Just another night on the job for Martinez, whose 20-game hitting streak is the longest current streak in the Majors. He’s boosted his average more than 10 points to an even .300 during the fiery stretch. With the pair of runs he plated on Monday, the sweet-swinging backstop reached the 100-RBI plateau for the third time in his career.
The hitting streak includes a base hit in each of the 15 September games he's played. The catcher is batting .348 with six doubles and 12 RBIs during the span, although it still hasn't been enough to get him to .300. His .297 mark is just shy; a continuation of his streak would likely enable Martinez to finish with a .300-plus batting average for the fourth time.
Nothing dazzling, but enough to extend Martinez's hit streak to 16 games and quell any concerns about his focus. The switch-hitting slugger seemed to be in good spirits upon his return. "I'm really happy to get back and join the team and help us keep playing good baseball," Martinez said. "You never want to leave the team, especially when you're in the middle of the race, trying to get to the playoffs. You've got to do what you've got to do sometimes." Martinez was slotted in as the first baseman with Kevin Youkilis sidelined for his third game in a row.
Be sure to activate Martinez, who has three RBIs to go before reaching the century mark for the third season.
The tandem could miss Wednesday's game, too, especially Martinez. "Something personal with the family came up that's very important back in Cleveland, so we gave him our blessing to go back there for the next couple of days, so you might not see him back in the lineup today or tomorrow," said Red Sox skipper Terry Francona. As for Youkilis, he spent part of Monday's off-day at Massachusetts General Hospital. Asked whether the All-Star cornerman would return Wednesday, Francona replied, I don't know. I hope so."
Martinez is hitting .341 (14-for-41) over the course of his streak, further establishing himself as a central figure in the Red Sox lineup. Since being shipped from Cleveland at the end of July, the switch-hitting catcher sports a .321 average with six homers and 25 RBIs in 137 at-bats.
Martinez, who extended his hitting streak to nine games, continues to thrive in a deep Red Sox lineup. In 33 games with Boston, the slugging backstop is batting .329 with 13 extra-base hits, 24 RBIs and 18 runs. On the season, he’s knocked in 91 runs, putting him on track for his third career 100-RBI campaign.
That likely leaves Jason Varitek catching, Victor Martinez starting at first and Kevin Youkilis playing third.
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