NEW YORK - Jason Varitek is remaining with the Boston Red Sox, and David Eckstein is moving on to the St. Louis Cardinals.

Varitek agreed to a $40 million, four-year contract with the World Series champion Red Sox, a deal that is to be announced Friday, a lawyer with knowledge of the negotiations said on condition of anonymity.

Eckstein, let go by Anaheim on Monday, agreed Thursday to a $10.25 million, three-year contract with the NL champion St. Louis Cardinals, completing a game of musical chairs among shortstops.

Boston started the shortstop switches by luring Edgar Renteria from St. Louis with a $40 million, four-year contract. Anaheim then agreed Monday to a $32 million, four-year deal with Orlando Cabrera, who helped the Red Sox sweep St. Louis in the World Series.

Also Thursday, Andres Galarraga agreed to a minor league contract with the New York Mets. The 43-year-old first baseman, who has come back twice from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, needs one home run to reach 400.

Two other deals were finalized as many teams started closing their offices for the holiday break: the Los Angeles Dodgers' $55 million, five-year contract with outfielder J.D. Drew and Boston's $1.5 million, one-year agreement with right-hander Wade Miller, who was cut by Houston earlier this week.

Varitek, who hit a career-high .296 last season with 18 homers and 73 RBIs, will receive a $4 million signing bonus paid over four years and annual salaries of $9 million. The sides compromised over his desire for a no-trade clause, working out a solution that will cover the final three years of his contract.

"Jason is clearly a key asset we need (to) retain. He is the rock solid leader of our club," principal owner John Henry said in an e-mail to The Associated Press, without confirming an agreement.

Eckstein was the second major offseason acquisition for the Cardinals, who obtained 17-game winner Mark Mulder from Oakland on Saturday for two pitchers and a minor league catching prospect. They still need a second baseman to replace Tony Womack, who signed with the New York Yankees.

He hit .276 with two homers and 35 RBIs last season, and scored 92 runs. He was the second-hardest player to strike out in the AL, with just 49 in 566 at-bats.