Red Sox sign C Varitek

Feb 6, 2009 - 7:58 PM BOSTON (Ticker) -- Jason Varitek officially is back with the Boston Red Sox.

The veteran catcher signed a one-year contract with Boston for the 2009 season, with dual club and player options for 2010.

No further terms were disclosed, but according to numerous reports Varitek reportedly will make $5 million in 2009, with a $5 million option for 2010.

If the Red Sox do not pick up that option, Varitek reportedly has the choice of remaining with the club on a $3 million deal. In 2010, Varitek can reportedly earn another $2 million in incentives based on playing time, beginning at 80 games started.

That means the potential total value of the deal reportedly could be worth between $10 million to $12 million. The incentives apply to both the team and player options for 2010, according to the report.

Varitek earned $10 million in base salary and prorated bonus money in 2008.

Varitek, a two-time All-Star who turns 37 on April 11, suffered though his worst season statistically last year during his 11-year tenure with the club. In 131 games, he hit .220 with 13 homers and 43 RBI.

Despite that, Varitek declined the Red Sox offer to go to arbitration earlier this offseason, and his desirability to other clubs dwindled because the offer of arbitration requires a club to give up a draft choice if it signed Varitek.

A member of the Red Sox organization since a July 31, 1997, trade with the Seattle Mariners, Varitek is the club's all-time leader with 1,273 games caught.

The 2005 Gold Glove Award winner is one of 44 players in major league history to catch at least 1,000 games for a single franchise, and one of only eight backstops to do so while spending his entire playing career with that club.

Varitek is the only catcher in major league history to catch four no-hitters during his career, including Jon Lester's against Kansas City on May 19, 2008.

He was named the 18th full-time captain in Red Sox history on December 24, 2004, and has compiled a .263 batting average, 161 home runs and 654 RBI in 1,330 career games with Boston.