Boras: Red Sox have offered Varitek a contract

In a press conference this evening from the Winter Meetings in Las Vegas Scott Boras revealed that the Red Sox have in fact extended a contract offer to catcher Jason Varitek.

When asked about the seriousness of the Red Sox interest in his client, their captain, Boras responded;

“Well, I mean, look, when a major league team approaches you about a player and offers them a contract, I guess that’s serious.”

After a follow up question directly asking if the Red Sox have offered Varitek a contract Boras responded, “Yes.”

Whether this offer was the one year deal alluded to before the arbitration offer or represents a new offer while the parties were at the Winter Meetings was not addressed.

Given the activity around the catcher market thus far, a two year $20 – $22 million dollar contract would likely be a win-win for both parties.

John Smoltz on the Red Sox radar

With the news that John Smoltz’s recovery from labrum surgery in June of 2008 is progressing well enough that he was able to throw off a mound last week, it would only make sense that the Red Sox explore their options with the twenty one year vet.

And according to the Boston Herald, the Red Sox are doing just that. Smoltz has indicated a preference to play for a contending team next year and although it is likely that he’ll continue his career in Atlanta, the Red Sox are on a short six team list of teams he would consider offers from.

Yankees, Cashman land Sabathia

For the Yankees, there was only one move that would make this off season anything short of disappointing; signing CC Sabathia. According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Yankees and Brian Cashman have accomplished that goal.