Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein expressed uncertainty about Varitek's future when asked about it the day after Boston's loss in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series to Tampa Bay. "He's an important part of the organization -- there's no doubt about that," Epstein said. "Obviously he's coming off a year that wasn't his best, but he's important nonetheless. Now, he's a free agent and we'll be talking to him. We have an obligation to explore all our options. We do that with every position." Cora has been a valuable member of the Boston bench.

The Boston Herald reports Boston Red Sox C Jason Varitek has filed for free agency.

Ken Rosenthal, of FOXSports.com, reports Scott Boras, the agent for Boston Red Sox C Jason Varitek, is trying to sell Varitek to the Detroit Tigers in the offseason.

The Red Sox might be close to offering Jason Varitek a two-year deal, according to Sports Illustrated.Varitek's offensive decline means that he probably won't have any fantasy value next season.

SI.com's Jon Heyman reports the Boston Red Sox appear willing to re-sign C Jason Varitek to a two-year deal but seems against the four years Varitek has sought.

According to the Detroit News, Jason Varitek "would be a plausible answer to Detroit's need for a veteran catcher." Under that scenario he'd split time behind the plate with Dusty Ryan, but as a 36-year-old catcher who hit . [...]

Adam Kilgore, of The Boston Globe, reports Boston Red Sox C Jason Varitek will be looking for another multi-year deal during the offseason, according to his agent, Scott Boras.

Jason Varitek would like to stay in Boston, if possible, according to the Boston Globe. His agent, Scott Boras, will want to get him signed to another multi-year contract.Boras would like to keep Varitek in Boston, because the Red Sox have shown a willingness to spend money. But with Varitek having the worst offensive year of his career in 2008, batting .220 in the regular season and declining further to .118 in the postseason. Boras' case for Varitek is that he brings defense and leadership. The former isn't included in most fantasy leagues, and the latter doesn't translate in any, so no matter where Varitek lands in the MLB, you should steer clear in 2009.

According to The Boston Herald, Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona decided early on he would not pinch hit for C Jason Varitek during the regular season if the catcher was struggling at the plate, despite knowing that the results might cost the Red Sox some victories. Francona said he did not want his captain “looking over his shoulder in June,” which could have adversely affected the team’s chances of playing in October.

Asked Monday about impending free agent Jason Varitek, general manager Theo Epstein said that the Red Sox "will be talking to him" but "have an obligation to explore all of our options. [...]

GM Theo Epstein commented on free agent catcher Jason Varitek, according to the Boston Globe. Epstein said, "He’s an important part of the organization. There’s no doubt about that. Obviously, he’s coming off a year that wasn’t hit best. But he’s important nonetheless. He’s a free agent, and we’ll be talking to him. We have an obligation to explore all of our options. We have to do that. We do that with every position. There’s not a lot of elite catching out there. At the same time, that changes the standards from what you’re looking for."Varitek's offensive numbers continued to decline this season with a .220 average and only 13 homers over 131 games, but the Red Sox pitching staff likes working with him and benefits from his veteran leadership and knowledge.

News: C Jason Varitek, the captain and an 11-year member of the Red Sox, is eligible to become a free agent, and he did not have the kind of contract year (.220, 13 HR, 43 RBI) that would command a lot of attention. But GM Theo Epstein said his defense and handling of the pitching staff still make him an important player for the organization. "If I walk into spring training and don't see Jason Varitek, it will be eye-opening and very sad," infielder Kevin Youkilis said after the Game 7 of the ALCS on Sunday.

Analysis: After a decent rebound season in 2007, Varitek's numbers took a sharp decline in 2008. He hit only .220 with 13 home runs, including .191 with seven home runs beginning in June. Considering he turns 37 next year, you can only expect his numbers to decrease and perhaps his at-bats to go along with them. Treat him as just a low-end No. Fantasy option entering next season, assuming he signs as a starter somewhere

Adam Kilgore, of The Boston Globe, reports the Boston Red Sox plan to speak with C Jason Varitek about possibly re-signing him in the offseason, according to general manager Theo Epstein. "He's an important part of the organization. There's no doubt about that. He's a free agent, and we'll be talking to him. We have an obligation to explore all of our options. We have to do that. We do that with every position," Epstein said.

Adam Kilgore, of The Boston Globe, reports the Boston Red Sox plan to speak with C Jason Varitek about possibly re-signing him in the offseason, according to general manager Theo Epstein. "He's an important part of the organization. There's no doubt about that. Obviously, he's coming off a year that wasn't hit best. But he's important nonetheless. He's a free agent, and we'll be talking to him. We have an obligation to explore all of our options. We have to do that. We do that with every position," Epstein said.

Boston's captain Jason Varitek went 0-for-4 in Game 7 of the ALCS and struck out three times as the Red Sox fell to the Rays 3-1.He finished the series hitting a pathetic .050. The 36-year-old had a poor regular season as well when he hit just .220.

Jason Varitek went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts on Sunday to finish the ALCS with a .050 average. Varitek's homer in Game 6 helped lead to Boston's win, but it also hurt the team's chances tonight, as it made manager Terry Francona too hesitant to pinch-hit for his catcher. [...]

Home plate umpire Derryl Cousins left Game 6 of the ALCS Saturday, Oct. 18, after the third inning, due to a bruised collarbone, according to The Associated Press. Cousins was struck by a foul ball hit by Boston Red Sox C Jason Varitek in the second inning, but remained in the game until the end of the following inning. He departed the field with Rays trainer Ron Porterfield, and X-rays were negative. After a 15-minute delay, crew chief Tim McClelland, who had been working at first base, took over behind home plate. Sam Holbrook moved from second to first, Brian O'Nora moved from third to second, Brian Gorman shifted from left field to third base and Alfonso Marquez remained in right field. The game continued without an umpire in left field.

Jason Varitek's first hit of the ALCS was a tiebreaking homer off James Shields in the top of the sixth to help the Red Sox top the Rays 4-2 on Saturday and force a Game 7. [...]

Jason Varitek's first hit of the ALCS was a tiebreaking homer off James Shields in the top of the sixth to help the Red Sox top the Rays 4-2 on Saturday and force a Game 7. [...]

Amalie Benjamin, of The Boston Globe, reports Boston Red Sox C Jason Varitek is not guaranteed to return to the team for the 2009 season. Varitek suffered the worst offensive year in his career this season, hitting .220 with a .313 on-base percentage and a .359 slugging percentage.

Ian Browne, of MLB.com, reports Boston Red Sox C Jason Varitek is not in the lineup for Game 4 of the ALCS. Varitek does not usually catch SP Tim Wakefield, who is starting Game 4. Varitek is 0-for-10 in the ALCS.

Boston Red Sox C Jason Varitek is 0-for-14 in the American League Championship Series, according to The Miami Herald.

The Associated Press reports Boston Red Sox C Jason Varitek hit .164 in 54 at-bats against the Tampa Bay Rays this season.

Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek doesn't plan to hang 'em up any time soon, according to the Orange County Register. "I haven't even started to think about (managing). I want to play 10 more years," he said.At age 36 and hitting .220 this season, there is a better chance of Ralph Nader winning the 2008 Presidential election than there is of Varitek playing another decade.