This year, that will not be the case.
Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports that if the Red Sox catcher declines his player option with the Red Sox, he won't find a bail-out plan in the Mets. Two Mets officials told him Varitek is not a candidate for their catching vacancy because they are unsure whether the 37-year-old is durable enough to play 100-plus games.
Boston recently rejected its $5 million team option for the captain, but as NESN.com reported Monday, Varitek is expected to pick up his $3 million option and return to the Red Sox in 2010 as a backup catcher for Victor Martinez.
Sherman reports that the Mariners and Nationals have some interest in adding a veteran catcher.
