Projo Sox Blog

As the glamour and excitement of the World Series fades into memory, the Red Sox are going through the ugly business of deciding who from their 2009 team will stay, and who will go. Today, they locked up one Red Sox icon for two years, while telling another that if he wants to come back, it'll have to be at a lower salary.

This afternoon, the Sox confirmed that they have signed veteran knuckleballer Tim Wakefield to a two-year deal that and that they have picked up the $7.1 million option on catcher Victor Martinez. Wakefield was a first-time All-Star this year in his 15th season with the team, while Martinez was a stellar contributor after coming to Boston from Cleveland at the trade deadline.

Boston then declined its $5 million team option on longtime catcher Jason Varitek, but he could be back. Varitek has his own $3 million player option that he could choose to exercise if he wants to return to Boston for one more season as Martinez' backup. He has four days to decide whether to come back under those terms.

The Red Sox also declined the $6 million option on shortstop Alex Gonzalez. That leaves the injury-prone Jed Lowrie as the only shortstop possibility on the current major league roster, after Nick Green reportedly also elected for free agency after the team tried to assign him to the minor leagues. Gonzalez could come back to Boston on a renegotiated deal at a lower price.

The news came out of the first day of the General Manager's meetings today in Chicago, the first of several signature events of the baseball offseason. In one sense, the meetings are much ado about nothing; last year, not a single trade was consummated at the three-day summit.

At the same time, they're a chance for agents, GM's, and baseball officials to press the flesh and feel each other out in anticipation of the Nov. 20 full opening of free agency, and the more widely known Winter Meetings, set for Dec. 7 in Indianapolis.

Some have said that this week's meetings will be more about baseball business than individual players, but as baseball's hot stove simmers, the Red Sox are still making news.

Wakefield's deal comes as somewhat of a surprise. The pitcher and the team have agreed upon a recurring $4 million contract each of the past few years, allowing both sides flexibility. But at 43, and coming off back surgery, Wakefield's health situation is increasingly questionable. This contract is said to pay Wakefield a lower base salary in both seasons -- $3.5 million in 2010 and $1.5 million in 2011 -- but is heavily loaded with incentives, giving the pitcher a reward if he performs well, giving the club protection if he doesn't. If he meets his escalators on total starts and innings pitched, Wakefield could be paid as much as $5.5 million in 2010 and $3.5 million in 2011.

If he can stay healthy, the two-year nature of the contract could allow Wakefield to finish his career as the all-time Red Sox leader in victories. Wakefield won 11 games this year, giving him 175 in a Red Sox uniform -- putting him in striking distance of the 192-win record shared by Cy Young and Roger Clemens.

Varitek, 37, returned to Boston on after finding little waiting in free agency last offseason, and started out strong at the plate. But he tailed off badly in the second half, and saw his role decline dramatically with the arrival of Martinez. Martinez should be the starting catcher no matter what come opening day, and it's now up to Varitek whether he wants to return in a clear backup role after 13 seasons with Boston.

Declining the option for Gonzalez means the Sox head into November with uncertainty building at the shortstop position once again -- as they have nearly every year since 2003.

Gonzalez was acquired from the Cincinnatti Red in August, and proved his worth by stabilizing Boston's infield defense for the remainder of the season. He hit .284 with a .316 on-base percentage, five home runs, and 15 RBI in 148 Boston at-bats following the trade.

Now that they have bought out his 2010 option for $500,000, the Sox and the veteran could hammer out a deal for the 32-year-old Gonzalez to return at a lower price.

If a deal isn't struck to bring Gonzalez back, the market for free-agent shortstops is weak. The Sox reportedly tried to acquire J.J. Hardy from the Milwaukee Brewers, but he headed to Minnesota in trade instead. The best available free agent may be Toronto's Marco Scutaro, who is strong offensively and defensively -- but his price could be high, he is 34, and if Boston signs him, the Sox would likely have to send a first-round draft pick to Toronto as Scutaro is classified as a Type A free agent.

Green could have been a suitable reserve option at short, but according to WEEI.com he elected free agency rather than return to the minors.

Green underwent back surgery today to correct a herniated disk issue, one that hobbled him over the last month of the season and forced him off the playoff roster. Before that, he was an unexpected surprise at shortstop, joining the Sox in the spring with few expectations and helping to stabilize the position after Julio Lugo and Lowrie went down with injuries. Joey Gathright also elected free agency, according to the report.

The Red Sox have already been active in the trade market this season, dealing for Florida outfielder Jeremy Hermida. Depending on whether Jason Bay returns to man left field, Hermida could be a fourth outfielder with potential, or he could be thrust into a starting role in 2010.

The Red Sox are also rumored to be in pursuit of San Diego first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, and many have speculated that they could be in pursuit of Toronto's Roy Halladay, as well.

On the for-the-moment home front, several sources have reported that Boston is trying to retain Bay at $60 million over four years, while the outfielder is committed to testing the market once other teams can officially make him offers.

 Tags  Alex Gonzalez Boston Red Sox Dan Barbarisi Jed Lowrie Nick Green Tim Wakefield

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