Varitek is the Red Sox' chosen one

Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek has wealth -- a four-year, $40 million deal. He has stability -- a no-trade provision that kicks in sometime in September of next season. What he also has is a "C" on his jersey, denoting that he is the official team captain, which he found out when general manager Theo Epstein unfolded Varitek's home and away jerseys at yesterday's news conference at Fenway Park to announce his signing.

"It's not often you find a player who embodies everything you want your franchise to be," said Epstein. "When you're lucky enough to have that player, you don't let him get away and you lock him up as long as you can and you make him the rock of your franchise.

"Jason is a special guy in the clubhouse who has had an instrumental role. We all know he's a leader, but we have a little surprise. I don't think Jason knows about this . . . but we're going to formalize that role and make you the team captain of the Red Sox."

Varitek, the third captain since 1923, seemed shocked at the designation. Jim Rice was the last player to serve as captain in 1989, and before him there was Carl Yastrzemski. Varitek was a captain in high school and at Georgia Tech, but this was special.

"I'm extremely honored right now," said Varitek, who was accompanied to the podium by his wife, Karen, and agent Scott Boras. Teammate Tim Wakefield also was on hand.

"I don't know what to say," he added. "To have that honor . . . to hold this in this city, in this region, and for this team. I can't really change what I do, but I just hope to keep being the same. I live by my position, by what I do and what I believe in. I can't all of a sudden do something different. There are things over the course of time that exemplify you as a leader. I still have the same role of communicating between coaches, players, pitchers, position players. That's a huge part that won't change. My position demands it."

That's all Epstein and the Sox brass want. When Epstein surveyed the rest of the catching market, he determined there was a vast gap in ability between Varitek and whomever was left. While the GM had no intention of overpaying Varitek or giving in to all of Boras's demands, initially five years at $55 million with a straight no-trade clause, Epstein eventually met Boras in the middle, agreeing to a $4 million signing bonus paid over four years, $9 million per year in salary, and what will become a no-trade clause. In fact, it was a 2:45 a.m. phone call from Boras to Epstein suggesting such a clause, which kicks in after Varitek spends eight consecutive years as a Red Sox, that got the deal done.

"We just feel loyalty should be rewarded. That's a good policy," Epstein said of the change. "It's a credit to Scott to come up with the idea. Jason's giving up at least two years of his free agency to be here, so I think that was a worthy compromise. The no-trade protection was probably the most difficult part of our negotiations."

Manny Ramirez, for one, has a contract that entitles him to a no-trade clause that matches that of any teammate, but he's only spent four seasons with the Red Sox.

Boras and Epstein said while there was no immediate competition for Varitek, teams expressing interest in his services were put on hold until the Jan. 8 deadline for a team to sign its own free agents.

"It would have only taken one other team to ruin our day," said Epstein, who also indicated the captaincy was never a part of the negotiations.

"After we agreed to the deal, it's just something we discussed with Scott and asked him to keep it a surprise for Jason," Epstein said. "I mentioned the idea to John Henry and he instantly said yes. Tom Werner instantly said yes. Larry Lucchino said yes. There was about 10 seconds of discussion over it. The "C" clearly looks good on the jersey, but if Jason doesn't like it . . . you don't have to wear it."

Varitek said it means a lot to him because "I would never have this opportunity unless it came from my teammates. I just want to continue to be the same teammate I've been to Tim and he's been to me and all of our other teammates."

Asked whether he ever doubted the deal would come together, Varitek said, "Every day. It's an easy thing to think that way. But I just . . . let Scott do his job for me. I couldn't be happier with the job of them working together."

Varitek spoke about the challenge of winning another championship. He'll be catching new starters David Wells, Matt Clement, and Wade Miller, as well as swingman John Halama and reliever Matt Mantei.

"I have a lot of career at-bats against Wells; I'm looking forward to actually having an opportunity to just catch him," Varitek said. "I'll get to spend a little time soon here with [San Diego catcher] Michael Barrett, who caught him all year. We do a lot of catching drills and we work out a lot together. I'll learn a lot about [Wells] quickly. Halama, I played against him for years and have a pretty good idea, and Wade Miller, he's another new one and maybe I'll have to talk to [former Red Sox and Astros manager] Jimy Williams on that one."

Varitek also addressed the loss of Pedro Martinez.

"I wasn't involved," he said. "I don't know what was going on. The things he's achieved here, it'll be something that will be difficult for him [to repeat someplace else]. He's a tremendous player. Everyone knows how I feel about him. It's going to be different going out there to battle, for me, without him, personally. I've learned a tremendous amount about pitching and competing just from him alone."

Varitek acknowledged that, "The face of our rotation the last seven years has been Pedro, so of course that's going to completely change."