With GM Theo Epstein out in California for the GM meetings, news related to the Boston Red Sox has picked up over the past few days. The reason being is that the Red Sox have some free agents to discuss with respective agents and some possible trades to talk about.

Of course the big free agent the Red Sox have is Jason Varitek. And once again Scott Boras was spitting some hogwash out of his mouth yesterday.

“You’re going to have No. 3 starters making $12, $13 million a year. You’re going to have Nos. 1 and 2 starters making anywhere from $18-25 million,” said Boras. “When you talk about the fact that the person who is handling them, who can improve them, who can do all the things necessary to advance them, we really have to look at the fact that if we have a catcher who makes the staff’s ERA a half-run lower when you look at the pitching, the prominence and defense is something you have to look at as value. That’s why I was talking yesterday about Jason…

“(There are catchers who produce) literally little or no offense, but they’re playing in the big leagues because they can catch and throw,” Boras continued. “If you have a catcher that puts your team in a position to win and masters your pitching staff, that’s the issue. The issue is far afield from what he hits. If he does hit, if you have a catcher that does that and hits 25 homeruns, he may be a $20 million player.

“There just aren’t any catchers who have the ability to have the defensive acumen to lead a pitching staff where your team has a .600 winning percentage and you’re hitting 25 homers and driving in 90, those catchers don’t exist. They just don’t exist.”

Can someone please make him shut the heck up? Seriously, a $20 million catcher. For that price he better be hitting .400 with 50 home runs and 150 RBI and throwing every runner out. It will be interesting to see what develops with the Red Sox and Varitek before November 14th when the exclusive negotiation period runs out. At this point the Red Sox might be better served making a trade for one of the Rangers catchers.

One thing’s for certain, Varitek probably won’t end up with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Red Sox have had some discussions about trading Coco Crisp but are finding Julio Lugo to be a hard sell.

It’s that time of the year where other teams have managerial openings and some names from the Red Sox coaching staff pop up. This time around it is both John Farrell and Brad Mills as they have both mentioned as candidates for the Seattle Mariners opening.

Right now the Red Sox have about $110 million already committed to their 2009 roster right now and could do some spending during free agency.

Theo Epstein could care less if Manny Ramirez decides to sign with the Yankees. Me on the other hand would be a little bit scared if he did seeing how we face them 18 times a year and we all know what Manny can do.

Alex Speier of WEEI.com has some more news and notes from the GM meetings.

The Red Sox are interested in Billy Traber to provide some organizational depth.

Gary Marbry of WEEI.com has some nuggets on Charlie Zink and David Ross.

And last but certainly not least, Jason Bay would love to stay with the Red Sox long-term and hopes to work out a contract extension with them during the offseason. I am all for that one!!!