Red Sox do not offer contract to C Cash

Dec 13, 2008 - 12:08 AM BOSTON (Ticker) -- The Boston Red Sox did not make a move at the Winter Meetings in Las Vegas, but they are freeing up some cash.

Boston announced Friday that it will not tender a 2009 contract to catcher Kevin Cash, making him a free agent.

The Red Sox are in a major hole at catcher. Captain Jason Varitek is a free agent, although the team reportedly has offered him a one-year deal.

Cash was the primary catcher for knuckleballer Tim Wakefield. He batted .225 with three home runs and 15 RBI in 61 games last season - his second with Boston.

Also on Friday, the Red Sox announced the signings of five players to minor league contracts and invited them to spring training.

Righthanders Enrique Gonzalez and Marcus McBeth, lefthander Billy Traber, infielder Gil Velazquez and outfielder Paul McAnulty will be the five competing for roster spots in Fort Myers.

Gonzalez, 26, spent 2008 in San Diego's organization, going 7-5 with a 4.44 ERA in 35 games - 13 starts - for Class AAA Portland and 1-0 with a 10.80 ERA in four appearances with the Padres.

The 28-year-old McBeth split last season between the Cincinnati Reds and Red Sox systems. He was claimed off waivers by Boston on August 13.

Traber, 29, spent 2008 in the New York Yankees organization, posting 3.40 ERA in 40 games at Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and a 7.02 ERA in four appearances in the majors.

The 29-year-old Velazquez was re-signed by the Red Sox after batting .260 with 10 home runs and 46 RBI in 101 games for Class AAA Pawtucket last campaign.

McAnulty, 27, appeared in 66 games for the Padres in 2008, batting .207 with three homers and 13 RBI.