The Red Sox and Jason Varitek are in the final stages of a new multi-year contract that will see the 53-year-old return to the team’s coaching staff, Sean McAdam of MassLive.com reports. McAdam wrote that an official announcement is “expected soon,” and that the sides may just wait until the end of the World Series or the off day. The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier writes that Varitek has agreed to a new deal.
Varitek has been a member of Boston’s coaching staff for the past five seasons, all serving as game planning coordinator. He was also a receivers coach from 2021-24, but his title was changed to game planning and run prevention coach before this season. It’s unclear if he will return to the job or if Varitek will take on some different responsibilities in 2026, but regardless of ability, he will return as a trusted member of Alex Cora’s staff.
Most coaches typically sign annual contracts, but Varitek’s previous deal was for three years, covering the 2023-25 seasons. McAdam speculates that Varitek’s upcoming contract could be a two-year deal to keep Varitek consistent with Cora (who’s contract expires at the end of the 2027 season).
Varitek, acquired from the Mariners in a 1997 deadline trade, spent his entire 15-season career in a Red Sox uniform and has remained with the organization since retiring. He served as a special assistant in the front office before serving as traveling catching coach in 2020 and was officially named to the major league coaching staff in 2021.
