The Red Sox have made a number of moves today and a good majority of them were expected. Well yesterday they declined Alex Gonzalez’s $6million option in hopes to resign him for less money. Today, they declined Jason Varitek’s $5 million team-option, picked up Victor Martinez’s $7.1 million option and restructured Tim Wakefield’s contract for the next two seasons. All of those moves were expected of the Sox and now that leaves Varitek to decide whether or not to pick up his $3 million player-option, which he most likely will.

So all three/four deals I think were well done and this is why.

Jason Varitek

Here is a player who is well past his prime and is preparing himself for retirement very soon. He is 37-years-old and will be 38 next season and his numbers have dipped a little bit in the past three seasons, most notably the past two and he starting to wear out his welcome amongst fans. We all love the guy for what he did in the past for this team, especially punching A-Rod in the face during that epic brawl at Fenway and bringing the Red Sox two World Series titles. He is past his prime and the Red Sox would love to keep him around, but at a lower cost. Theo Epstein has already made it known that Martinez will be the primary catcher next season and Varitek, if he resigns, will be the backup. I think that Varitek will pick up his player option, play a pivotal role with the pitching staff and be one of the best backup catchers in the league. Then after the season he will retire and become some kind of coach for the Red Sox, maybe the new pitching coach if John Farrell leaves town for a head coaching position. I know that Varitek does not do well with reduced playing time or catching Wakefield, but he might just have to do both next season if he wants to stick around. At $3 million he is easily worth it for his leadership and knowledge of the game and I hope he picks up his option.

Tim Wakefield  

Tim Wakefield had his traditional $4 million team-option contract thrown away today and replaced with a two-year deal worth a total of $5 million with rumors saying that there are incentives in the deal that could make it worth a total of $10 million. Wakefield was the ultimate steal for the past couple of seasons as he had the $4 million team-option ever single year and at $4 million it was worth it. Wakefield won 11 games last season, 10 in 2008 and 17 in 2007, so he has won his fair share of games, but with the uncertainty of his health his new contract will most likely be his last. They guy is 43 and is having back problems, that is probably the worst kind of injury because it doesn’t go away it’s hard to play through. I think that he will play the next two seasons, maybe 2011 will be cut short, but he will be either the fifth starter or come out of the bullpen for long relief. Wakefield has been with the Red Sox since 1995 and I am just glad that he will probably end his career in Boston.

Victor Martinez

To pick up Martinez’s $7.1 million option was a no-brainer for the Red Sox. The thirty-year-old, who will be 31 in a month, is still one of the best offensive catchers in the game and he played very well while in Boston. After coming over from Cleveland Martinez hit .336 with eight home runs and 41 RBIs in 56 games. A career .299 hitter, he brings in the offensive that couldn’t stay consistent last year. People keep saying that Red Sox need a big bat this offseason but what they don’t realize is that Martinez is capable of being a strong offensive threat and can put up big numbers. He did hit 23 homers this year and 25 in 2007, so he is always capable of providing some power at a position that doesn’t normally produce big numbers; oh and he plays first base as well. With him being the primary catcher this year it will be interesting to see how well he does with the pitchers and how his numbers are in a full season with the Red Sox.

Alex Gonzalez

Alex Gonzalez is still a big question mark for the Red Sox, but so is the shortstop position. It makes a lot of sense to not pick up his $6 million option because he should not be paid that much, but I would still like to see him be the everyday shortstop for the Sox. Like everyone knows, his defensive is impeccable and he can provide some pop at the end of the lineup. Sure he will be 33 next season but he is still the player that he has always been throughout his career, a career .970 fielder and .247 hitter. Although he is not known for his hitting he did come in last season and hit five home runs and knock in 15 RBIs in 44 games while hitting .284. With Jed Lowrie still in limbo with his injuries and not being able to perform on the big stage, it should be in the Red Sox best interest to either resign Gonzalez or sign another decent shortstop. With not many shortstops out there on the market then there is also the possibility of trading for one, but that is never too easy.

By Greg Petersen