Let’s make a deal

Sox have work to do with pair of prized free agents

MLB. The captain of the Red Sox, Jason Varitek, has watched players arrive and watched players exit during his decade-long tenure in Boston. That being said, there isn’t a better living and breathing gauge of the wants and needs within the cramped Fenway Park home clubhouse.

A handful of players are entering free agency after Boston’s second world championship run in the last four years, but third baseman Mike Lowell and right-hander Curt Schilling represent the two biggest names that the Boston brain trust must make decisions on.

How badly does Varitek want to see both of these hardened and proven veterans back in the Sox saddle next season?

“Tremendously,” the Sox catcher answered. “I’d like to [have Lowell back], and I’d like to see Curt retire in a Boston uniform. I think Mikey has really come into being Mike Lowell as a player and knowing what he can do out there offensively. The thing that gets overshadowed with Mike is his defense.

“We’ve always said that his hands are like butter, and even if he doesn’t hit, his defense is very difficult to replace.”

Both players seem favorable to a return to the Sox but will command great interest within the baseball market. Lowell and Alex Rodriguez are the only two premium third basemen on the free-agent market, and the speculation is that the Yankees will be a free-spending player for the Sox’ World Series MVP.

Lowell made $9 million per year during his two seasons with the Sox and should command a sizeable raise after delivering a standout season as a 33-year-old.

Another interesting factor in the Lowell contract talks will be his relationship with principal owner John Henry, who owned the Marlins when Lowell manned third base in Florida and clearly has a soft spot for the classy infielder.

“It seems like we’ve been together — with a little interlude — for our entire careers,” Henry said. “We started in baseball together in 1999, and I’m so happy for him.”

The 40-year-old Big Schill has already voiced his willingness to ink a one-year deal with Boston for the $13 million he earned this past season, but that’s a steep price for a finesse pitcher not likely to pitch 200 innings again.

“This [2007 World Series] ring is going to be nice,” Schilling said, “but I’d like to stick around for more and then walk away.”