Boston Red Sox
Varitek’s previous deal had expired when Boston’s season ended earlier in October.
A beloved former Red Sox player will return to the team’s coaching staff with a new multi-year contract.
Jason Varitek, who most recently held the role of “game planning and run prevention coach” in Boston, is set to stay on the Red Sox’ staff for at least two more seasons with a new contract, according to MassLive’s Sean McAdam. Varitek’s previous deal had expired when Boston’s season ended earlier this month.
Just last week, the former Red Sox captain wasn’t sure if he was going to stay in Boston due to his expiring contract.
“You have to see everything that goes on. Have I dumped everything I’ve had to make this organization better? And the people that you mentor, coach, and be a part of? Yes. Do I want to continue to do that? Yes,” Varitek told WEEI’s “The Greg Hill Show” last Wednesday. “But I have to see where it all lies.”
According to McAdam, Varitek’s new deal may line up with manager Alex Cora’s, which is set to end after the 2027 season.
Varitek, 53, had previously been the Red Sox’ game planning coordinator and catching coach beginning in 2021, when he became a full-time coach, through the 2024 season. Before that, he served separate “special assistant” front office roles between 2012 and 2018. Varitek was a “special assistant/catching coach” during the Covid-19-shortened 2020 season.
Despite his lengthy off-the-field resume in Boston, Varitek has reportedly only been interviewed for managerial positions in MLB twice since retiring from the game nearly 15 years ago. The Seattle Mariners interviewed him in 2015 before naming Scott Servais their next skipper.
Two years ago, the San Francisco Giants also interviewed Varitek. Bob Melvin ultimately got the job.
Following his interview with the Giants, Varitek said the experience was good for him and that he could picture himself managing down the road.
“I understand that the future of where this goes is to be able to have right fits and right opportunities to lead and manage a team,” Varitek said in November 2023. “Currently, it’s not necessarily about that, it’s about doing the best job that I can with our pitchers and catchers and help them be the best that they can be. If the opportunity fits right, then you have to look and really think hard about it.”
Prior to agreeing to a new contract with the Red Sox, per McAdam, no manager-needy teams requested to interview Varitek.
During his 15-year playing career in Boston from 1997-2011, Varitek was a three-time All-Star, two-time World Series champion (2004, 2007), a Gold-Glover, and Silver Slugger award winner (both in 2005).
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