Shortly after taking batting practice at Pawtucket's McCoy Stadium on Sunday afternoon, Jason Varitek was emphatic when asked about his plans for next season.

"We've got a month left," he said. "But I'm going to play. I'm excited to. I'm doing some things as good or better than I ever have."

Varitek, like Victor Martinez, will be a free agent after this season. He signed a one-year, $5 million contract for 2009 and exercised a $3 million player option for 2010. It's unlikely he will be a starting catcher again, either in Boston or elsewhere, but he seems to have embraced his roles as a veteran backup behind Martinez.