BOSTON (AP) — The Red Sox are keeping their captain.
A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press that catcher Jason Varitek has reached a preliminary agreement with Boston on a $2 million, one-year contract. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Thursday because the deal is pending a physical and no announcement had been made.
The 38-year-old Varitek has spent his entire major league career with the Red Sox after making his debut in 1997. He batted .232 with seven homers and 16 RBIs in a backup role last season, when injuries helped limit him to 39 games.
Varitek backed up All-Star Victor Martinez this year. Martinez became a free agent in the offseason and agreed to a $50 million, four-year contract with the Detroit Tigers.
Varitek can earn another $300,000 in performance bonuses: $100,000 each for 60, 70 and 80 games started at catcher.
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AP Sports Writers Ronald Blum and Mike Fitzpatrick in New York contributed to this report.
