It is being reported that unemployment has sky rocketed to a 16 year high and is now at 7.2%. The loss in total jobs for 2008 was the largest since 1945 and the net job loss for 2008 was 2.6 million.
There is an unmeasurable amount of uncertainty in the minds of employers and employees nationwide.
What we do know is that 2 of the 2.6 million who lost jobs in 2008 are Jason Varitek and Manny Ramirez. Why? Some might say it is because of super-agent Scott Boras.
This is what Boras does and you have to know that when you sign on with him. I think he is a great agent. But in the following cases he needs to know the market for his clients better.
Boras was the one whispering in Manny’s ear that they need to get out of Boston to avoid those ungodly 2 club option years that were remaining on Manny’s contract. By the way, remember, those club options were for $20 million per. Now it seems that Manny will be lucky to get $20 million per year anywhere let alone a contender.
Varitek’s situation is different and maybe not as horrendous as the Ramirez saga. Boras is asking for Posada money for a guy who batted .220 last year. Scott is forgetting that Jorge batted .338 in his contract year.
It’s January 9th and teams are spending up all their money. Suddenly maybe bringing Boras aboard doesn’t seem to be the best of moves after all.
Now Jason has a Red Sox organization that is moving on and Manny is starring some humble pie or retirement right in the face. On the other hand, don’t feel TOO bad for Scottie though. He is doing alright. I think the Teixeira contract will feed his family for a while.
Varitek will end up in Boston
the unemployment rate today is a bit higher because of the recession but hopefully the economy would recover soon.’,,