Red Sox set Friday deadline for Varitek deal

[January 28, 2009]  BOSTON (AP) -- The Boston Red Sox have given catcher Jason Varitek until Friday to accept or reject a one-year, $5 million contract offer with options for 2010.

A person familiar with the negotiations said Tuesday the Red Sox, who begin spring training on Feb. 12, want an answer by Friday. The person disclosed the deadline and details of the offer on condition of anonymity because the team does not publicly discuss negotiations.

The Boston Herald and Boston Globe reported earlier the offer was $5 million for 2009 with player and club options for 2010.

Varitek, who turns 37 on April 11, is coming off the worst of his 11 seasons with the Red Sox. In 131 games, he hit .220 with 13 homers and 43 RBIs.

[Associated Press; By HOWARD ULMAN]

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