--1B Sean Casey announced his retirement from the major leagues and immediately joined up with MLB Network as an analyst. Casey hit .322 in 199 at bats as a bench player in his only season for the Sox in 2008, when he battled through a neck injury and difficulties in the field. It was obvious that the 12-year veteran could still hit big-league pitching, but he opted to spend more time with his family rather than continue as a reserve player next season.
--C Jason Varitek has reportedly agreed to a one-year contract with the Red Sox that will pay him $5 million in 2009, according to the Boston Globe, and potentially an additional $3-5 million in 2010 dependent on a choice of team or player options. In the days leading up to the contract agreement, sources had indicated that the Sox captain was considering retirement rather than returning to Boston under less-than-optimal contract conditions. In the end, however, cooler heads prevailed and the Sox came to an agreement with their longtime catcher. --OF Chip Ambres was among a group of six players who agreed to contracts with the Sox and will go to spring training as non-roster invitees placed on the Triple-A Pawtucket (R.I.) roster. Joining Ambres will be 2B Angel Chavez, SS Nick Green, 3B Ivan Ochoa, RHP Fernando Cabrera, and C Carlos Maldonado. In addition to the free agent acquisitions, the Sox also announced that former big league outfielder Alex Ochoa has been added as a major league coaching staff assistant.
--3B Mike Lowell told WEEI.com that he recently began taking swings off a tee and that his recovery from hip surgery is coming along nicely. His goal is still to be ready for game action during spring training as he takes steps in bringing along his surgically repaired right hip labrum. Lowell was also informed this week that his name has been taken off the provisional roster for the Puerto Rican National team earmarked for the World Baseball Classic. Lowell's current status as a player recovering from injury removed him from consideration for the team.
--RHP Curt Schilling continues to rehab from surgery on his right shoulder and arm. He said on his 38pitches.com blog that he's currently working toward picking up a ball and throwing again. Schilling hasn't made any definitive plans about playing again in 2009, but his best shot would be joining a team at the All-Star break a la Roger Clemens over the last years of his career.
"Right now I am working out to get to throwing again. Just to see where my arm really is," wrote Schilling, who also admitted that he doesn't think a return to the Sox is in the cards. "If Doctor Morgan is correct -- and he has been 100 percent so far -- I'll be better than I was in 2007. The question that remains is how much."
BY THE NUMBERS: 80 -- The minimum number of games played in 2010 that would kick in a layered playing-time incentive bonus built into C Jason Varitek's $3 million player option.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "Boston was probably one of my favorite years of my career; just being a part of the Boston Red Sox was unbelievable. This decision really had more to do with seeing my kids. It just felt like it was becoming time to be home more. The tough part about it is that baseball has been so good to me, and it's been everything I thought it would be and more. It's been the ultimate dream for me." -- 1B Sean Casey, talking about his experience in Boston and subsequent retirement.
