Red Sox announce several decisions

The Red Sox announced that they will decline catcher Jason Varitek's 5 million dollar club option, but the option gives Varitek a 3 million dollar player option to exercise if he so chooses. 

Varitek hit a disappointing .209 with 14 home runs, and will lose even more time in 2010 with Victor Martinez playing catcher full-time. If he is looking to play everyday, he would be smart to decline the option and move on. 

Speaking of Victor Martinez, the Red Sox announced that they have exercised his 7 million dollar club option for the 2010 season. Martinez hit .336 with a .405 on-base percentage after he joined the Red Sox. The 30-year old catcher could be in line for a long-term deal in the next couple months. 

In other Red Sox-related news, infielder Nick Green and outfielder Joey Gathright both elected for free agency after the Red Sox outrighted them off of the 40-man roster.

Green played shortstop for the Red Sox for a majority of the season, but only hit .236 in 103 games with 6 home runs. Green is scheduled to have back surgery and likely won't receive any contract offers until he shows signs of improvement from the surgery.

Gathright made the Red Sox postseason roster after only making 30 at-bats, finishing the year with a .267 average. He likely will receive minor league offers as well.