When well-respected bullpen coach Gary Tuck decided to suddenly retire earlier this week, Jason Varitek seemed like a logical fit. It appears Varitek will remain in his current role as special assistant to general manager Ben Cherington, though.
According to WEEI.com’s Alex Speier, it does not appear that Varitek is being considered, or even wants to be considered, for the position. Speier notes that Varitek retired because he wanted to spend more time with his family, so while the longtime Red Sox catcher could someday become a coach, Tek’s current position is more in line with the work-life balance he’s seeking for now.
Varitek, who retired after the 2011 season and rejoined the organization as a special assistant in September of 2012, spent 15 seasons in Boston, donning a captain’s “C” for the final seven. Varitek figures to have a future in coaching when he so chooses, but it’s clear the 40-year-old isn’t looking to rush into anything.
Speier reports that the Red Sox had not contacted any candidates for Tuck’s former position as of Wednesday afternoon, but that the team plans to select from an internal pool of candidates already within the organization.
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