11:51pm: WEEI’s Alex Speier says Type B free agent Paul Byrd also declined Boston’s offer of arbitration.
2:44pm: According to Jon Heyman, Jason Varitek is likely to decline Boston’s offer of arbitration before tonight’s deadline. Heyman writes…
Beyond a few relief pitchers, very few of the 24 players offered arbitration are expected to accept, but Varitek was seen as a possibility since he made $10.4 million last year and would likely beat that in arbitration, even after a poor season offensively.
The Red Sox greatly value Varitek’s leadership and defense. Heyman points out that a deal could still be reached. It would be strange to see Varitek in another uniform, but it’s looking more and more possible.
