Posted by Alex Speier

A few more tidbits from Day One of the G.M. meetings:

–The Red Sox haven’t ruled out re-signing Sean Casey, but they let the first baseman’s agent know that they aren’t focused right now on addressing the part-time role that he served in 2008.

“We’ll keep our options open and look around, see what happens,” said G.M. Theo Epstein. “Sean is probably going to do the same. I wouldn’t rule anything out with respect to him.”

Casey said during the season that the experience with the Red Sox had been a captivating one, and that he would prefer a part-time role for a big-market contender to a bit part for a small-market team that would not have a legitimate shot at contending.

–The Sox will talk to free-agent Paul Byrd as the offseason unfolds, but Epstein seemed resigned to the notion that the pitcher would end up going elsewhere. “I’m sure he’ll have a lot of options,” said Epstein. Presuming that Byrd does not sign before mid-December, it will be interesting to see whether the Sox offer the pitcher arbitration in hopes of gaining a sandwich-round draft pick as compensation. The Indians, for instance, believed that they could not afford to offer Byrd arbitration because he would likely accept it–something that could result in a one-year, $7-8 million deal.

–Clay Buchholz was hit hard in his fifth and final appearance in the Arizona Fall League, allowing five hits, four walks and four earned runs in just 3.2 innings. He finished his AFL stint with a 1-2 record and 3.86 ERA in 21 innings while striking out 17 and walking nine. Still, Epstein declared the assignment a success.

“We’re very glad he went,” said Epstein. “I think he’s really happy that he went, too. He wrote a little different ending to his season. He can use that to his advantage this winter as he continues to work hard.”

Buchholz remained strong through the end of a season in which he threw 155.2 innings, up slightly from the 148 innings he threw in 2007. Whereas the 24-year-old had to be shut down last September due to shoulder weakness, Epstein said that Buchholz now possesses one of the strongest shoulders in the organization.

“He’s got one of the stronger, more durable shoulders among all pitchers in the organization,” said Epstein. “That’s all contingent on a good offseason with the shoulder program, as it is for all pitchers, but he’s really become dedicated to that.”