Jason Varitek decided to hang up his catching mitt:

Varitek, who turns 40 on April 11, was offered a minor league contract and an invitation to big league camp by the Red Sox but has not been at the team’s training facility. He has been with the Red Sox since his trade from Seattle in 1997.

Varitek last season signaled a desire to continue playing for at least a few more years, and fellow catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia said earlier this spring that Varitek has been catching, throwing and hitting all winter.

But Varitek, a free agent who served as the Red Sox captain, has not been offered a big league job by another club.

Once again, it’s more a player getting retired than making his own choice. According to bWAR, Jason’s been just a bit above replacement for the last four seasons, producing a total of 0.9 WAR in that period. The Red Sox can do just as well with a young catcher earning the minimum.

Jason played well, and the Red Sox certainly saw him as a leader. He was a big part of both World Series championship teams, so his legend will live long in Boston.