Article: RED SOX NOTEBOOK; Varitek: Sox first; Hoping to stay, catcher softens request.(Sports)

Byline: TONY MASSAROTTI

While confirming that he has softened his request for a five-year contract, catcher Jason Varitek yesterday acknowledged he intends to make every effort to re-sign with the Red Sox before earnestly pursuing other opportunities.

"Without shooting myself in the foot, yeah," said Varitek, who stressed that negotiations between the Red Sox and his agent, Scott Boras, have remained amicable since the player filed for free agency shortly after the conclusion of the World Series. "I think that we've made some progress. We've come off five years while still allowing me to have the opportunity to have five years."

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