BOSTON (AP) — The Red Sox exercised their $7.7 million option on Victor Martinez and declined options on Jason Varitek and Alex Gonzalez yesterday.
Boston also agreed to a $5 million, two-year contract with 43-year-old knuckleballer Tim Wakefield, replacing a perpetual $4 million annual club option.
The moves on the options were expected after Boston obtained Martinez from the Cleveland Indians on July 31 and he replaced Varitek as the starting catcher. The club option for Varitek was worth $5 million, but he can stay with the team if he exercises his $3 million player option.
The Red Sox also could try to keep Gonzalez at shortstop for less than the $6 million option. He receives a $500,000 buyout.
Martinez and Gonzalez played well for the Red Sox while Varitek struggled offensively for the second straight season.
Wakefield was sidelined most of the second half with a back injury after making the All-Star team for the first time.
Martinez made the AL All-Star team for the third time and finished with a .303 batting average, 23 homers and 108 RBIs in 155 games as a catcher, first baseman and designated hitter.
For Boston, he batted .336 with eight homers and 41 RBIs in 56 games.
The Red Sox obtained the 32-year-old Gonzalez from the Cincinnati Reds on Aug. 14 and he provided his usual outstanding fielding and some unexpected hitting.
In 44 games with Boston, he hit .284 with five homers and 15 RBIs. For the season, he hit .238 with eight homers and 41 RBIs in 112 games.
The 37-year-old Varitek hit a career-low .209 with 14 homers and 51 RBIs after batting .220 with 13 homers and 43 RBIs in 2008. His career average is .259.
Wakefield was 11-5 with a 4.58 ERA but was limited to 21 starts. He had surgery for a herniated disk on Oct. 21 and said he wants to pitch as long as possible.
He is 189-162 with a 4.33 ERA in 17 seasons, including 175 victories in 15 years with Boston. Roger Clemens and Cy Young hold the franchise record of 192 wins.
Kelli Johnson 1-on-1 with John Thompson III -2/13
Alexander Semin finds back of net versus Rangers-2/12
The Sixers are not taking anyone lightly
Spring training is right around the corner
Moving day: Phils' gear en route to Clearwater
Will the Flyers make a move at the trade deadline?
Stoglin's frustrations boil over following Duke loss-2/12
Timonen "disappointed" in teammates' effort
Morganti: 'Rangers' power play demolished the Flyers'
Timonen: 'I think we got half the guys going and half the guys not'
More shootout woes in store for the Flyers when they face the Red Wings?
The Rangers have the Flyers' number
St. Joseph's vs. Massachusetts Highlights - 2/11
Penn vs. Dartmouth Highlights - 2/11
Drexel vs. Hofstra Highlights - 2/11
La Salle vs. St. Louis Highlights - 2/11
John Wall talks about the loss to the Heat-2/10
Collins takes the blame for the Sixers' final possession
Sixers vs. Clippers highlights
Sixers defensive effort not enough vs. Clippers
Julien: 'did it the hard way'
McAdam's Spring Training primer
Doc: Team's effort is 'un-Celtic'
Pierce stresses mental toughness
Globe 10.0 Who was the best free agent in Boston?
Maria Menounos dons a Giants-colored bikini after losing Super Bowl bet-2/7
Thomas' moratorium: 'I'm out, peace'
Gasol: 'Not pleasant' being part of trade rumor
Blakely: Gasol-for-Rondo trade unlikely
Brady-ing is Latest Internet Meme
Globe 10.0: Is Paul Pierce the Celtics greatest scorer?
Ranking Pierce among Celtics greats
Garnett's tale of first meeting Paul Pierce
Pierce's loyalty touted after big night
Hurt Locker: Patriots react to Super Bowl loss
Brown: 'Eli Manning is better than Tom Brady'
Local fans crushed by Patriots loss in Super Bowl XLVI
Marcus Johansson Caps lone goal in loss to Bruins-2/5
Matt Hendricks throws down with the Bruins' Adam McQuaid--2/5
Vinatieri, Law, Brown recount Super Bowl XXXVI
