Boras states his case for keeping Varitek
The Red Sox and Jason Varitek have not initiated contract discussions, which is not unusual this soon after the season, said Scott Boras, the agent who represents the catcher.
Boras did not offer any specific figures Varitek is aiming for, but he outlined an argument, based on leadership and defense, for why Varitek is still an elite catcher.
When Varitek signed his four-year contract at the end of 2004, the fourth year was a sticking point. Boras seemingly indicated that Varitek, who will turn 37 in April, will want another multiyear deal this offseason.
"If you think about his physical conditioning, he's got many more years to play in this game," Boras said last night. "When he's out there, this club is decisively different. You're really talking about a guy that is inherently valuable. In this day and time, what is a player like that worth?
"We're in the process of finalizing data intake. We have to look at the marketplace. We have to look at similarly situated All-Star players, who they are in stature to their team. There are many comparisons. We're certainly going to look at how those players [were] received in the free agent market and use that as that watermark."
Boras emphasized the value that Varitek, who batted .220 this season, brings with leadership and defense. Over the past three seasons, including playoffs, the Red Sox have a .596 winning percentage in games in which Varitek has appeared and a .508 winning percentage when he did not. This season, the Red Sox went 78-53 with him in the regular season, 17-14 without him.
"I don't think there are many catchers in the free agent market that you can look at and say your club is going to win 60 percent of your games," Boras said. "That's what he's been assigned to do here is lead and win.
"The only one wearing a 'C' on his chest next year would be Jason Varitek. If he's not there, then no one would."
Varitek suffered through the worst offensive season of his career this year. He hit 13 home runs, and his on-base (.346) and slugging (.439) percentages were career lows. Boras called the year "certainly something that is not his norm. I don't think it's anything that's permanent."
For Varitek, the emotion of potentially leaving Boston is tempered by his experience after 2004, Boras said.
"He's been through all this before," Boras said. "Four years ago, everyone was asking, 'Could this be your last game in Boston?' It could."
Lowrie played hurt
Infielder Jed Lowrie played since May with a sprain and a small nondisplaced fracture in his left wrist, ailments that worsened as the season wore on, Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein said in an e-mail. The minor injuries were revealed Tuesday, when Lowrie underwent an MRI. The wrist has begun to heal, Epstein said, and should be back to full strength with three weeks of rest.The injuries gave Lowrie occasional pain and affected his grip strength, particularly late in the season, which likely explains his difficulties batting lefthanded. Righthanded, Lowrie hit .338 with a .525 slugging percentage. Lefthanded, he hit .222 with a .334 slugging percentage.
Lowrie finished the season in an 8-for-51 (.157) slump, but he played 52 of the Red Sox' 53 games in August and September despite the worsening symptoms. He committed only one error in his rookie season, none at shortstop.
Lowrie originally suffered the injuries while playing at Triple A Pawtucket in May.
'Surprised' Alicea fired
The Sox are bringing five of their six coaches back, as only first base/infielders coach Luis Alicea was not offered a 2009 contract, the team announced in a release. Alicea had been with the Red Sox for the past two seasons.DeMarlo Hale (third base/outfielders), Dave Magadan (hitting), John Farrell (pitching), Brad Mills (bench), and Gary Tuck (bullpen) have been invited to return. Mills has been with the Red Sox since manager Terry Francona arrived in 2004. Hale joined in 2006, and the three others came aboard in 2007.
Alicea expressed surprise and sadness that he was not renewed on Francona's coaching staff.
Asked if there was a problem that led to his dismissal, Alicea said, "If there was anything else, I don't have an answer. I had some goals when I arrived here and I think we were able to accomplish all of them."
Alicea, who said he had no problems with Francona, said he was told of his dismissal by the manager.
"He just told me they were going to make changes and I was one of the changes," said Alicea. "I've received about a hundred calls today and everyone's surprised. I'm surprised."
The Red Sox also announced reliever Chris Smith, whom they designated for assignment Friday, has opted for free agency. Smith spent the majority of the season in Pawtucket and made 12 appearances for the Red Sox, mostly in a mop-up role.
Nick Cafardo of the Globe staff contributed to this report.
Correction: Because of reporting errors, the 2008 statistics for Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek were incorrect in a story about Varitek and his agent, Scott Boras, in Thursday's Sports section. Varitek's on-base percentage was .313, and his slugging percentage was .359. Neither was a career low. 