1:48pm: Tony Massarotti of the Boston Globe says it’s official, Wakefield will be back with Boston in ’09.
8:42am: According to Sean McAdam of the Boston Herald, the Red Sox are expected to exercise Tim Wakefield’s 2009 option today. Wakefield recently completed his year-end physical and MRI.
Wakefield, 42, posted a 4.13 ERA in 181 innings this year. In an unmatched show of loyalty to the Sox, the knuckleballer gave the team a perpetual $4MM option. Once again it was an easy decision to exercise.