Let’s start by getting the obvious out of the way. ‘Tek is done as full time catcher. The Red Sox turned down his franchise option for ‘10 and he exercised his $3M player option for next season. This comes with the understanding that he’ll be the back up catcher behind Victor Martinez.

All of this is old news. It’s been obvious for a while that as much as we hate to admit it, it’s time to start thinking about moving out of the Varitek Era. His stats last season were sad, to be generous: .209 BA with 14 HR and 51 RBI’s. What’s really telling about last season are his at bats from the second half of the season when his BA dropped to a pathetic .159.

And every editorial I read online offers the same advice. Don’t start ‘Tek against opposing right handers. So will he become Dice’s personal catcher? If so, who catches Wake? Can the Sox compete with such a huge hole in the line up? His presence on the roster creates more questions than it resolves.

Martinez on the other hand, will become the every day catcher, taking a break at first base when needed. He was an insanely great addition to the team when they needed it most, hitting .336 for the Sox with  8 HR and 41 RBI’s over 56 games. He’s the real deal and no one doubts he’ll have a huge year behind the plate building a rapport with the pitchers, calling the games, and with the bat.

The question comes at the mid point in the season. Will ‘Tek be able to hang on for the remainder of the 2010 season? Or will he be part of a trade, or even released? I think it’s a strong possibility.

So who is on the roster to fill the gap? Dusty Brown?

Or even available for pick up during the off season? Theo hasn’t made any moves to pick up anyone to put on the Tools of Ignorance for 2010, and in fact, George Kottaras was released and picked up on waivers by the Brewers today. Ryan Doumit from the Pirates is an interesting idea, but the Sox passed on him during the regular season.

That leaves our prospects from Pawtucket. Way back in January Theo said, ““We don’t have the catcher of the future in the organization.”

Gulp.

Here’s who we do have:

Mark Wagner: Our best option if ‘Tek can’t last the season. In fact, he’s listed on the active roster already. The scouting report still says he is a little green for the Show, but he’s very quick behind the plate and seems anxious to show that given the opportunity, he can step up and fill the role the Sox need in ‘10.

In 2011, with Martinez a free agent, and ‘Tek gone for sure, we have the option of resigning Martinez and/or going after Joe Mauer who also becomes a free agent.