Red Sox Rumors: Lugo, Bay, Varitek, Beckett

The latest on the Red Sox, courtesy of WEEI’s Alex Speier.

• Julio Lugo says he’s in the best shape of his career.  The $9MM shortstop won’t be happy if he’s on the bench this year.  Speier believes he’ll ask for a trade if he doesn’t win the competition with Jed Lowrie.  Lugo was following the Tigers trade rumors earlier this winter.
• Jason Bay remains open to an extension, but admitted "it’s not the end-all, be-all."  Bay will be part of the 2009-10 free agent class if the Sox don’t lock him up.
• According to the AP, catcher Jason Varitek spoke of spending the rest of his career with the Red Sox.
• WEEI’s Rob Bradford spoke to Josh Beckett, who hopes to remain in Boston past his current contract.  The Red Sox have a $12MM club option for a $2MM buyout for 2010.
• Bradford also reports that the Brad Wilkerson signing is official; he’s in camp on a minor league deal.