November 10, 2009 at 6:54 AM
Red Sox decline option on Varitek, Gonzalez, bring back Wakefield and Martinez
The Red Sox yesterday made decisions on their team options, choosing to decline their $5 million option on Jason Varitek, as well as their $6 million option on Alex Gonzalez. The team also picked up its $7.1 million option on Victor Martinez while coming to terms on a new deal with Tim Wakefield.
Varitek struggled last season, hitting .209 before eventually losing his starting job to Martinez. His days with the Red Sox may not be over, as he holds a $3 million player option that includes an additional $2 million in incentives.
Gonzalez was paid a $500,000 buyout instead of having his option picked up. He was acquired by Boston on August 14 and hit .284, making just one error in 44 games. The team is reportedly exploring bringing back Gonzalez at a lower price.
Martinez was acquired at the July 31 trade deadline and made an immediate impact on a struggling Red Sox offense. He hit .336 with 8 home runs and 41 RBI in 56 games with Boston, taking over the starting catcher position from Varitek.
The Red Sox and Wakefield came to terms on a new two-year deal instead of his perpetual $4 million option. Wakefield will make $3.5 million in 2010 and $1.5 million in 2011. The contract also contains performance-based incentives which can reportedly make the deal worth $10 million over two years. Wakefield made his first American League All-Star Team last year, but struggled with injuries and ended up only making 21 appearances, the lowest number he has made since his rookie season in 1992 with Pittsburgh.
Varitek struggled last season, hitting .209 before eventually losing his starting job to Martinez. His days with the Red Sox may not be over, as he holds a $3 million player option that includes an additional $2 million in incentives.
Gonzalez was paid a $500,000 buyout instead of having his option picked up. He was acquired by Boston on August 14 and hit .284, making just one error in 44 games. The team is reportedly exploring bringing back Gonzalez at a lower price.
Martinez was acquired at the July 31 trade deadline and made an immediate impact on a struggling Red Sox offense. He hit .336 with 8 home runs and 41 RBI in 56 games with Boston, taking over the starting catcher position from Varitek.
The Red Sox and Wakefield came to terms on a new two-year deal instead of his perpetual $4 million option. Wakefield will make $3.5 million in 2010 and $1.5 million in 2011. The contract also contains performance-based incentives which can reportedly make the deal worth $10 million over two years. Wakefield made his first American League All-Star Team last year, but struggled with injuries and ended up only making 21 appearances, the lowest number he has made since his rookie season in 1992 with Pittsburgh.