The Tek Watch is finally over.

Captain Jason Varitek finally ended the suspense and signed a one year contract with the Red Sox. He'll get $5 million in 2009, with a mutual option for 2010. Tek gets $5 million if the Sox exercise the option, $3 million if he exercises it. He also has an incentive clause that lets him earn another $2 million based on games played if he exercises the option.

I think this is a good deal all around. Tek really had no other options. No one was going to pay big bucks for a 37 year old catcher with a lot of mileage on his body who hit .220 last year AND give up a first round draft pick. I think the Sox made a very reasonable offer (some might say generous) and I'm glad Tek took it.

So what's next? I think the Sox still have to consider acquiring the catcher of the future. A trade with Texas for Taylor Teagarden or Jarrod Saltalamacchia or the Diamondbacks for Miguel Montero is likely still in the works. It would be great if Varitek could tutor his successor for a couple of years before he retires.

It's been quite an off season. Other than the Yankes big 3 of Sabathia, Teixeira and Burnett, a number of free agents had to take big discounts from their 2007 salaries and lots of others aren't signed. Other than Tek, Pat Burrell signed with the Rays for about $8 million, half of what he made last year and Andy Pettitte took a $10.5 million cut to $5.5 million to resign with the Empire.

And, of course, the players who remain unsigned include guys like Manny Ramirez, Pedro Martinez, Ben Sheets and Adam Dunn. The recession is really having an impact on players salaries, like it is everything else.

In honor of Tek's signing, I'll end with the picture which is basically the reason photography was invented.