The Red Sox and catcher Jason Varitek were close to a preliminary agreement Friday on a one-year contract that would guarantee the captain $8 million, a person familiar with the talks said. 

The Boston Red Sox wrapped up their offseason bargain hunting Friday by reaching a preliminary agreement with catcher and captain Jason Varitek that pays him half as much in 2009 as he made last season. 

What Jason Varitek is worth in reality and what he thought he was worth turned out to be two different things, Ken Rosenthal says. 

Time's running out on many big-name free agents. 

Bobby Abreu is way too good to be dangling on the free-agent market. 

The pitching dominos might be starting to fall. 

--1B Sean Casey, 34, announced his retirement after a 12-year career. 

The Red Sox don't have many openings at key positions, and catcher is the only spot at which they might have to bring in somebody new is if they choose not to re-sign C Jason Varitek. 

--1B Sean Casey, 34, announced his retirement after a 12-year career. 

The Red Sox don't have many openings at key positions, and catcher is the only spot at which they might have to bring in somebody new is if they choose not to re-sign C Jason Varitek. 

--1B Sean Casey, 34, announced his retirement after a 12-year career. 

The Red Sox don't have many openings at key positions, and catcher is the only spot at which they might have to bring in somebody new is if they choose not to re-sign C Jason Varitek. 

Principal owner John Henry of the Red Sox and free agent catcher Jason Varitek met for approximately 90 minutes recently near the team captain's Georgia home, but there still is no pending agreement between the parties. 

Principal owner John Henry of the Red Sox and free agent catcher Jason Varitek met for approximately 90 minutes recently near the team captain's Georgia home, but there still is no pending agreement between the parties. 

Principal owner John Henry of the Red Sox and free agent catcher Jason Varitek met for approximately 90 minutes recently near the team captain's Georgia home, but there still is no pending agreement between the parties.