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Today was cleanup day on Yawkey Way in Boston.
Victor Martinez’s option for $7 million was picked up.
Jason Varitek’s option for $5 million and Alex Gonzalez’s for $6 million were not.
And Tim Wakefield’s perpetual $4 million option was destroyed and switched with the a two-year $5 million deal.
What does that mean? Let’s try and explain.
I spoke with an MLB source an hour ago here were his takes on all of the above:
1. The Red Sox will try to sign Martinez to a four-year extension in the $50 million range, which might not be enough. The Sox like Martinez’s versatility, attitude, power and on-base percentage.
2. The Red Sox don’t want Varitek back. They don’t see him accepting a distinct backup role with a happy face. Not only that, but the Sox want someone who, believe it or not, is better defensively than Varitek to be the backup. Varitek has a guaranteed $3 million option.
3. The Sox want Gonzalez back for half of what he made in 2009. That means a one-year deal for $3 million. The reason the Sox aren’t ready for a long-term solution at shorstop — unless of course a superstar was available — is they want to give Jed Lowrie one more healthy chance.
4. The Sox and Wakefield both gave in a little here. The Sox didn’t want to pay him $4 million and Wakefield didn’t want to play for another team. So $5 million over two years it is.