Red Sox Sign Wakefield to 2-Year Deal, Decline Option on Varitek

By Pete Rampino in Featured, Red Sox, Top Story ⋅ November 9, 2009 at 4:03pm ⋅ Post a comment

Wakefield's knuckleball (duane burleson/Associated Press)

The Boston Red Sox have struck a deal with starting pitcher Tim Wakefield. The contract is worth a guaranteed $5 million over the next two seasons, with contract incentives that could bring it up to $7 million. The Sox usually exercise Wakefield’s recurring $4 million deal each season, but after back surgery, they wanted to go a safer route, and Wakefield seemed to have no arguments about it.

Also, the Red Sox have declined the $5 million option on catcher Jason Varitek. The former All-Star now has five days to exercise his one-year player option for next season, worth $3 million. If Varitek wants to stay in Boston, then his future with the Sox is in his hands.

Tags: Jason Varitek, Red Sox, Tim Wakefield

Discussion

3 comments for “Red Sox Sign Wakefield to 2-Year Deal, Decline Option on Varitek”

Wakefield done in two years? One of those guys you love to have on the team, but it certainly seems like the end of the road is near. Just long enough to pass Roger for the wins record (needs 17)?

Posted by Mike | November 9, 2009, 4:29 pm
[...] Red Sox Sign Wakefield to 2-Year Deal, Decline Option on Varitek [...]

Posted by Wakefield to Wear Red Sox for Two More Years | Sports of Boston | November 10, 2009, 6:07 am
[...] has exercised his $3 million player option, and will return to the team in 2010. On Monday, the Sox chose not to pick up the $5 million team option for Varitek, which triggered the player option. The Sox picked up the $7 million contract option on [...]

Posted by Jason Varitek Exercises Contract Option for 2010 | Sports of Boston | November 11, 2009, 5:59 pm