Wednesday, February 22, 2012
The Boston Red Sox announced tonight that they have offered salary arbitration to designated hitter David Ortiz and reliever Dan Wheeler.
The Sox did not offer arbitration to catcher Jason Varitek, knuckleball pitcher Tim Wakefield, lefties Erik Bedard and Trever Miller, and outfielders J.D. Drew and Conor Jackson.
The move means that the Red Sox will receive compensation (with draft picks) if Ortiz or Wheeler sign with another club.
Ortiz and Wheeler have until Dec. 7 to accept arbitration. They are guaranteed to have a contract with the Red Sox in 2012 if they want. They can also decline arbitration and sign with any club (including the Red Sox).
By not offering arbitration to the other players, it does not mean Boston will not sign any of them. But the Red Sox are not obligated to keep any of them for the 2012 season.
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Kevin covers baseball for the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram. He first reported on spring training games for the St. Petersburg Times in 1978. He wisely moved to Maine in 1994 and now writes about the Portland Sea Dogs and Boston Red Sox — when he's not coaching Little League baseball. He is married to Nancy, and the couple has completed their lineup card with the birth of their ninth child, who is now 4 1/2 years old.