US – Sunday, March 21
Published 21:45, November the 9th, 2009
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The Sox declined Jason Varitek’s 2010 option. The Sox declined Jason Varitek’s 2010 option.
Photo: LISA BLUMENFELD/GETTY IMAGES
 

Theo, Sox already weighing options

Around the bigs

Other major option decisions from around Major League Baseball:

The Dodgers are bringing back LF Manny Ramirez at a cost of $20 million after he executed his player option. The former Red Sox slugger/distraction batted .290 with 19 HRs in 104 games.

The Phillies are bringing back SP Cliff Lee ($9 million) after executing their team option. The lefty dominated in the postseason, posting a 4-0 record and a 1.56 ERA in five
outings.

The Rays are bringing back OF Carl Crawford ($10 million) after executing their team option. He’s a three-time All-Star selection.

 

Victor Martinez is coming back. Jason Varitek may or may not be.

Yep, it’s option season.

General manager Theo Epstein and the Red Sox front office got to work on contract matters this week. On Sunday, they voided shortstop Alex Gonzalez’s $6 million option for 2010 — though there was rampant speculation they’ll bring him back at a lower price.

The bigger shoes dropped yesterday, when Boston re-upped catcher Victor Martinez ($7.1 million for ’10), declined Jason Varitek’s option ($5 million for ’10) and rewarded knuckleballer Tim Wakefield with a two-year deal worth a total of $5 million.

Varitek still holds a $3 million player option for next season, and will likely remain with the Sox if he decides to execute it.

Speaking to the media at last week’s Champions for Children’s charity dinner, Epstein said the team prefers to wait as long as possible to make final decisions on option years.

Josh Beckett’s $12.1 million 2010 option was automatically vested with his 28th 2009 start.

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