Varitek files for free agency - Sox retain Wakefield

[Forkboy]

Jason Varitek was among 65 players to file for free agency yesterday, the first day players were eligible.

The Red Sox have exclusive negotiating rights with the catcher for a 15-day window.

Varitek and his agent, Scott Boras, can speak with other teams, but financial terms cannot be discussed.

Varitek wasn't the only Red Sox player to file. Infielder Alex Cora and catcher David Ross did so as well. Curt Schilling, Mark Kotsay, Sean Casey, Mike Timlin, and Paul Byrd have yet to file.

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2008/10/31/varitek_files_for_free_agency/

The Red Sox confirmed yesterday what everyone knew to be true. Even after getting shelled in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series, Tim Wakefield remains a bargain too good to pass up.

At roughly 2:20 p.m., the Sox announced that they have exercised Wakefield's contract option for the 2009 season. By doing so, they guaranteed the 42-year-old knuckleballer a base salary of $4 million next year and triggered another option for 2010.

Since 2005, Wakefield's contract has contained a unique provision, a "regenerating" option at the end of every year. Every time the Sox pick up the player's option at the end of a season, the club instantly gains another for the subsequent year.

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2008/11/01/red_sox_retaining_wakefield/

Yay for keeping Wake! :thumbsup:

[cboy4]

1. Well let's hope you don't lose Schilling!11!

:P

Kurt is so in love.

[Forkboy]

2. Bastid!

Trust me, I'm hoping we lose him...preferably down a deep dark well. :)

[cboy4]

3. Just leave room down there for the owner of the 49ers

[rockymountaindem]

4. Can he even still pitch?

While he was great for the Sox in the past, I won't be sad if he goes because with all those surgeries he's just an unknown quantity at this point.

I'm gonna be sorry if Cap'n Varitek goes though, even if he couldn't buy a hit last season.

[joeybee12]

6. Unkown is the key word...brilliant one outing, miserable the next...

...there was no inbetween for him this year.

[joeybee12]

5. KEEP JASON VARITEK!

Is that loud enough? KEEP JASON VARITEK!!!

[TZ]

7. Hmm

I keep hearing rumors of him going to the Yankees...like Johnny Damon...would this happen?

[joeybee12]

8. Noooooooooooo.. oooooooooooooooooooo!

Manny, but not Jason.

[chelsea0011]

9. Good for the Sox and Wakefield. He has been a darn good during

season and asked to perform heroic during any playoff or World Series action. He has never been on a regular schedule during the post season but is asked to show up and pitch whenever needed. And Varitek? No team will pay him but for the Sox. The Sox will do soemthing big in the off-season and it won't be a pitcher.