Sox add year to Varitek offer
WEEI.com reported on Sunday night that the recent two-year offer made by the Red Sox includes a base salary of $5 million for 2009. As for the 2010 option, it would be worth $5 million if picked up by the Red Sox or $3 million if Varitek exercised it. The Web site added that the Red Sox have set a deadline for Varitek and agent Scott Boras to accept the deal, but the deadline wasn't known.
Considering that pitchers and catchers are due to report to Spring Training on Feb. 12, the Red Sox -- and Varitek, for that matter -- would like to see the situation reach closure.
The Boston Globe reported that the two-year package was presented to Varitek within the last "three to four days."
Either way, after nearly three months, there is movement in the negotiations.
The negotiations seemed to hit a lengthy snag on Dec. 7, when Varitek declined the club's offer of arbitration. If Varitek had accepted the offer, he likely would have earned a salary between $10 million and $12 million in 2009. Varitek just completed a four-year, $40 million contract, and players almost never get salary decreases in arbitration.
However, the catcher was said to be looking for an additional year of security from the only team he's played for in his Major League career. Also, the fact that the Red Sox offered arbitration kept other potential suitors from going after Varitek because they didn't want to give up a Draft pick.
Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski confirmed at the Winter Meetings that the potential compensation is the reason his team never got involved with Varitek and instead made a trade for Gerald Laird. Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti said that his team lost interest in Varitek after learning that the player wanted a two-year deal.
Varitek, who will turn 37 on April 11, appeared in 131 games for Boston last year, batting .220 with 13 home runs and 43 RBIs. He has played in 1,330 games in a career that began with the Red Sox in 1997.
Despite his struggles on offense in 2008, Varitek remained a big contributor for the Red Sox because of his defense. Varitek is regarded as one of the best in the league at calling a game, and he's also a leader in the clubhouse. In fact, Varitek has been the captain of the Red Sox since signing his four-year deal to remain with Boston on Dec. 24, 2004.
Varitek has been an instrumental part of two World Series-winning teams and the primary catcher of a team that has been to the American League Championship Series four times in the past six years.
Though the dual option reported by both WEEI.com and the Boston Globe is unusual, it isn't unheard of. The Red Sox had a similar clause in the contract of former closer Keith Foulke following the 2006 season.
In that instance, the Red Sox declined to exercise their $7.5 million option before the pitcher also turned down his $3.75 million alternative. After Foulke said no to his figure, he opted to become a free agent.
Ian Browne and Joe Frisaro are reporters for MLB.com.