The Red Sox have offered arbitration to Jason Varitek (type A free agent) and Paul Byrd (type B free agent.) Both of them are likely to decline the offer in hopes of getting more money on the free agent market. Believe it or not, it would make sense for Varitek to accept the arbitration offer. Why? Pro for Varitek: The arbitrator would likely give him more money than he'll get with a new contract. Con for Varitek: No multi-year deal. Pro for Boston: They get Varitek's leadership and tutelage for another season AND they do it without giving him a multi-year deal. Con for Boston: Despite having a horendous offensive season last year, the arbitrator will probably still give him something along the lines of $9 mil. Unfortunately, because Tek's agent is Scott Boras, this probably won't happen. But at least this way the offer is on the table, and if they decline arbitration and go elsewhere then Boston gets 2 compensation draft picks next year. The Red Sox have also declined to offer arbitration to the following players: Bartolo Colon, Curt Schilling, Mike Timlin, David Ross, Sean Casey, Alex Cora, and Mark Kotsay.