The Red Sox named Jason Varitek as special assistant to the general manager.

This confirms a report from earlier in the week. Per a release from the team, Varitek will be involved in major league personnel decisions, evaluations and mentorship and instruction of young players. Many believe he could be a managerial candidate before long.

Jason Varitek said Tuesday that he is close to accepting a job with the Red Sox.

"We're working on it," said Varitek. "We're close to having something. I'll be involved." Varitek has been mentioned as a possible successor to Bobby Valentine, but a baseball source says that he will likely be named a special assistant to general manager Ben Cherington, where he will be encouraged to educate himself about the Red Sox system from top-to-bottom. He could still be a managerial candidate down the road.

Jason Varitek officially announced his retirement Thursday at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers, Florida.

It was an emotional goodbye for the 39-year-old backstop. "This last week," Varitek told those gathered, "is probably one of the hardest weeks you go through as a player. After months of deliberating what to do, I decided that it's best for me and my family that I retire - that I retire a Red Sox." He'll finish with a .256/.341/.435 career batting line, 193 home runs and 757 RBI.

Jason Varitek is scheduled to hold his retirement press conference Thursday at 5:30 p.m. ET at JetBlue in Fort Myers, Florida.

Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe was the first to pass along news of Varitek's retirement on Monday, but the Red Sox just officially announced when the press conference will take place. The 39-year-old backstop will call it a career with a .256/.341/.435 career batting line, 193 home runs and 757 RBI over 15 major league seasons. The three-time All-Star was a key member of two World Series championship teams.

According to Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe, Jason Varitek will announce his retirement Thursday in Fort Myers, Florida.

Varitek is expected to stay with the Red Sox in some capacity. The 39-year-old showed last season that he was still capable of producing as a backup, but with no clear role for him in Boston, he ultimately decided against continuing his career elsewhere. The three-time All-Star will hang up his shin guards with a .256/.341/.435 career batting line, 193 home runs and 757 RBI over 15 major league seasons.

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reports that Jason Varitek is still leaning towards retirement.

Cafardo says Varitek "can't envision himself in another uniform," but, at the same time, "feels he can still play and at least be someone's backup." There's no doubt that Varitek is still capable of being a backup, but the question is whether it would be worth it to him to leave Boston for a cheap deal with little guaranteed playing time. He'll probably announce a decision before long.

Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald reports that Red Sox officials don't expect Jason Varitek to show up to camp.

The Red Sox have already had two mandatory workouts for pitchers and catchers, so Varitek would be there if he accepted a minor league deal. As reported last Friday night, it's increasingly likely that he'll opt for retirement.

Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington said that he isn't expecting to make any additions prior to the start of camp.

This would seem to rule out Jason Varitek, who was reportedly offered a minor league contract. Varitek's agent, Scott Boras, said Friday that his client had yet to make a decision on his future, but Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe was told during Tim Wakefield's retirement press conference that the 39-year-old backstop is leaning toward retirement. If Varitek hangs up his shin guards for good, he could accept a non-playing role within the organization.

Jason Varitek's agent, Scott Boras, said his client has not made a decision yet on what his plans are for the 2012 season.

Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington has said he expects to have a definitive resolution on Varitek sometime this week. The Sox have offered him a minor league contract, but with Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Kelly Shoppach already expected to make the roster, the veteran would be a longshot to make the team. If he decides against playing, he could accept a position within the organization. Varitek's longtime teammate, Tim Wakefield, will announce his retirement later Friday.

Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington said Wednesday the team will have some sort of definitive resolution on Jason Varitek and Tim Wakefield by next week.

The Red Sox don't really have a role for Varitek or Wakefield their projected roster, so we doubt this will result in either getting a contract. Varitek's agent, Scott Boras, was recently quoted as saying that the 39-year-old backstop was still "deliberating what he wants to do," but he'd almost certainly have a job with the organization waiting for him if he hangs up his cleats. Wakefield, 45, doesn't appear interested in pitching anywhere other than Boston, so the knuckleballer may also be forced to walk off into the baseball sunset.

Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington told Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe that they have not made Jason Varitek a formal contract offer.

This refutes a report by Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com on Friday that the Red Sox invited Varitek to spring training. While the 39-year-old is also reportedly weighing retirement, he batted .221/.300/.423 with 11 home runs, 36 RBI and a .723 OPS over 250 plate appearances in 2011. Varitek isn't what he used to be behind the plate, but that level of production of offense would be palatable for a backup catcher gig elsewhere. It's believed he would have a job with the Red Sox organization waiting for him if he does ultimately opt for retirement.

According to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com, the Red Sox have offered Jason Varitek a minor league deal with a spring training invite.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Kelly Shoppach are already in place as the catching tandem, so it's highly unlikely Varitek would make the Opening Day roster unless there's an injury. Heyman writes that the 39-year-old backstop is likely to either accept the invite or opt for retirement. Varitek batted .221/.300/.423 with 11 home runs, 36 RBI and a .723 OPS over 250 plate appearances in 2011. He has spent his entire 15-year major league career with Boston.

Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports that the Red Sox are still considering re-signing Jason Varitek.

While Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington said last month that he hopes Varitek will always be a part of the team "in some way," it's very difficult to see a fit given the current composition of the roster. Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Kelly Shoppach figure to split playing time behind the plate in 2012 and it's unlikely the club will carry a third catcher.

Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald writes that the Red Sox and Jason Varitek "have kept the door open for further talks."

Varitek, who turns 40 in April, wants to return to Boston, but with Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Kelly Shoppach on the roster, there simply doesn't appear to be any room for him. It appears as though the Sox will at least consider the possibility of carrying a third catcher, though. Varitek batted .221/.300/.423 with 11 home runs, 36 RBI and a .723 OPS over 250 plate appearances this past season.

Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington said Thursday that he hopes Jason Varitek will always be a part of the team "in some way."

"As far as what that means immediately, what we want to do is keep talking to Tek and not discuss that in a public forum, but continue talking to Tek and [Boras] and figure out what's best for the Red Sox and what's best for him," said Cherington. The Red Sox already have Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Kelly Shoppach, so it's highly unlikely they'd carry a third catcher. Whatever discussions are taking place likely include a non-playing role. Varitek, who turns 40 in April, has spent his entire 15-year major league career with Boston.

Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune reports that the Cubs have some interest in Jason Varitek and Tim Wakefield.

The Cubs non-tendered Koyie Hill earlier this week, so Varitek could be added to back up Geovany Soto. As of now, Welington Castillo and Steve Clevenger figure to compete for the job. The interest in Varitek and Wakefield is natural given the composition of the new Cubs' front office, but Rogers hears that nothing is imminent with either player and they could end up going in a different direction.

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe was told by a major-league source that Jason Varitek may still be in the picture for the Red Sox.

It's hard to see how. Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Kelly Shoppach are the favorites to make the Opening Day roster and we certainly don't see them carrying three catchers. Varitek has spent his entire 15-year major league career with Boston and has worn the "C" on his chest since 2005, but it's time to move forward.

Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports that the Red Sox have yet to make an offer to free agent Jason Varitek.

Jon Heyman of SI.com reports that the Mets are one of the other teams interested in free agent Jason Varitek.

Heyman reported earlier in the day Thursday that the Orioles are also in the mix. The Mets are known to be seeking a defensive-minded catcher, but while Varitek is regarded for his veteran leadership, his work behind the plate isn't what it once was. Ronny Paulino is likely to be non-tendered, so the Mets could very well go with Mike Nickeas as a backup to Josh Thole.

Red Sox captain Jason Varitek said Monday that reports of clubhouse dissension this season were "grossly exaggerated."

"It's embarrassing professionally that we collapsed the way we did. But it wasn't because we stopped trying or stopped caring about each other. This team was just fine until the end," he said. "We tried everything we could to stop it." Varitek also dismissed the issue of pitchers drinking in the clubhouse. "That's a minuscule issue," he said. "Guys are in the clubhouse all the time. I'm in there watching pitches because I can't see what I need to see from the bench. To me, that is not an issue at all." Varitek said he wants to play next season and hopes to return to the Red Sox.