Posted by Alex Speier

DANA POINT, Calif.–A summary of information gleaned from Day 3 of the G.M. meetings:

–The Red Sox view resolving their catching situation as their most immediate priority. The team met with Scott Boras today to discuss a number of free agents–both those who finished 2008 with the Sox and other clubs–and touched base for the first time on Jason Varitek’s contract situation.

Unsurprisingly, Boras seems interested in a long-term deal for the catcher, while Boston would rather err on the side of the shorter term. It would be an upset if Varitek gets a contract for more than three years with the Sox, or any other team for that matter. Then again, Boras has pulled contractual rabbits out of the hat before.

–Though the Tigers and Dodgers seemed the most likely alternatives for Varitek (with L.A. being a possibility only if Russell Martin was either traded or moved to third base), Dodgers G.M. Ned Colletti said that his team was “probably not” interested in Varitek. Detroit President Dave Dombrowski declined to comment on Varitek.

–There have not been any signs that Russell Martin is available in a trade.

–The Indians could have a catching surplus with Victor Martinez and Kelly Shoppach, and while they would listen to any offers on any player, they would certainly not mind returning with both catchers in their control next year.

“I’d be happy (bringing both back),” said Indians G.M. Mark Shapiro. “Kelly last year was one of the top ten catchers for a little over half a season in the major leagues. Vic is a pre-eminent, switch-hitting, run-producing catcher, a great receiver, great game-caller and leader on the team when he’s healthy…Vic can also play another position (first base), too.”

–Beyond the Rangers, who feature a startling surplus of catchers, and are looking for big-league ready starting pitching (perhaps a pitcher along the lines of Clay Buchholz, Justin Masterson or Michael Bowden), few other names of available alternatives have surfaced. Brad Ausmus is only interested in catching in San Diego or retiring. The Sox seem uninterested in Pudge Rodriguez (another Boras client). Pirates catcher Ronny Paulino is on the market, but he seems better suited to backup duty. All things being equal, the Sox would rather have at least one veteran catcher, but they are not averse to having two relatively green backstops if the talent would be superior.

–The Sox believe that their current stable of Triple-A catchers has been underrated. Dusty Brown hit .290 with a .377 OBP and .849 OPS with the PawSox. He is currently playing in the Dominican Winter League, where he entered yesterday hitting .304/.421/.790. George Kottaras had a rather unusual but in some ways impressive season, hitting .243 but with a .348 OBP, .804 OPS and 22 homers in Triple-A. He is building strength this winter. Brown is viewed as a legitimate big-league defensive option, while Kottaras might not be at that level yet, but he has made significant strides to near that point since the Sox acquired him in 2006.

–A.J. Burnett, to no one’s surprise, opted out of his contract with the Blue Jays on Tuesday. He told Toronto officials that he was pursuing a contract for as many as seven years, though there are signals that he would be fine with a five-year deal. (The Jays offered four years.) Burnett has an exceptional arsenal, but he has made more than 30 starts just twice in his big-league career. Given that, while the Red Sox (and every other club, for that matter) have long been enamored of Burnett’s talents (Boston looked at him extensively at the trade deadline in 2005 and then again when he reached free agency following that year), it would be hard to anticipate that the Sox would commit $80 million for the pitcher.

–The Sox have not expressed any interest in Burnett’s former teammate with the Marlins, Ryan Dempster. Dempster went 17-6 with a 2.96 ERA for the Cubs this season.

–Greg Genske, who represents CC Sabathia, said that he plans on talking about the 2007 Cy Young winner with the Red Sox. Still, there are few indications that the Sox would be drawn into a bidding war for the pitcher.

–The Sox are open to having Julio Lugo return as a means of achieving excellent depth at shortstop at the start of the 2009 season. At the same time, the team is also exploring potential ways of moving him, whether an exchange of “bad” contracts with another team or by eating salary in hopes of getting a prospect. The Red Sox and White Sox (who are looking for a shortstop) could not find a fit for an exchange that would involve the likes of Lugo and Nick Swisher.

The Tigers might make a sensible fit, since they have a vacancy at shortstop after opting out of Edgar Renteria’s contract. (Detroit is also looking for a catcher and relief pitchers.) They also have a couple of contracts in Dontrelle Willis (2 years, $22 million remaining) and Nate Robertson (2 years, $17 million) that match up reasonably closely with Lugo’s two years and $18 million remaining.

“We look at anything,” Dombrowski said of the possibility of a salary swap. “We look at each and every opportunity we have, and we weigh them all.”

–New Mariners G.M. Jack Zduriencik is trying to fill a managerial vacancy. Sox pitching coach John Farrell’s name has been rumored as a possible candidate. Zduriencik, who has not established his list, has approached Sox G.M. Theo Epstein informally to provide a timetable about when he might ask for permission to interview any Sox employees.

–While the Dodgers made a short-term, high-dollar offer for Manny Ramirez, agent Scott Boras made it clear that he is seeking a long-term deal. L.A.’s offer seemed mostly like a P.R. move designed to provide evidence of an attempt to land the slugger. Possible Ramirez suitors include the Mets (though G.M. Omar Minaya has emphasized repeatedly that his primary emphasis is on pitching), Yankees (Brian Cashman has been taking the same tactic as Minaya, emphasizing the need for arms), Dodgers, Phillies, Giants and, as a longshot, the Blue Jays. (Toronto, after all, was ready to commit somewhere in the vicinity of $60 million to Burnett.) The Oakland A’s, rarely a team known for landing top-of-the-market players, represent an interesting hypothetical–the team shed tens of millions of dollars in payroll last year.

–The Sox have shown little interest in the high real-estate district of the relief market. The team did not demonstrate interest in free-agent right-hander Bobby Howry, nor will they get involved in the sweepstakes for southpaw Brian Fuentes. The Sox spent years trying to pry Fuentes from the Rockies, but as a pitcher who might command as much as $10 million a year, his pricetag is too much for someone who would be a middle reliever.