BOSTON — The Boston Red Sox have given catcher Jason Varitek until Friday to accept or reject a one-year, $5 million contract offer with options for 2010.

A person familiar with the negotiations said Tuesday the Red Sox, who begin spring training Feb. 12 when pitchers and catchers report, want an answer by Friday. The person disclosed the deadline and details of the offer on condition of anonymity because the team does not publicly discuss negotiations.

WEEI.com first reported that the offer was $5 million for 2009 with a $5 million club option or a $3 million player option for 2010 and that the team had set a deadline. The Web site did not specify the date of the deadline.

Varitek, a two-time All-Star who turns 37 on April 11, is coming off the worst of his 11 seasons with the Red Sox. In 131 games, he hit .220 with 13 homers and 43 RBI.

By The Associated Press