As for competing offers, that remains a large question mark.

``Representing a catcher is like a submarine, you have to look way underneath the water to see what's going on,'' said Boras.

The agent said accepting the Red Sox' offer of arbitration ``was never considered.''

He sounded confident that other teams understood Varitek's worth, and that the Sox remain a possibility.

``Jason Varitek is a guy teams know what his value is,'' said Boras. ``Certainly Boston has let us know they want him back, and we have talked to Boston .''

Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein declined to say whether or not the team had made a formal offer to Varitek.

``We're in contact with Scott about Jason. That's accurate,'' said Epstein.

Smoltz a fit?

According to a source, the Sox are in talks with the agent for John Smoltz, and have also considered Brad Penny to add to their rotation. The Sox requested and received the latest medical reports on Smoltz as he recovers from shoulder surgery last summer. Smoltz may not be ready to start the season, but should be ready by May, the month he turns 42.

Smoltz has spent his entire 21-year career with the Atlanta Braves, with a career mark of 210-147, along with 154 saves when he made the transition to closer in 2001 following Tommy John surgery on his right elbow.

In 2005, Smoltz returned to the starting rotation and his intent is to continue work as a starter.

The Sox view him in much the same way as Bartolo Colon last March - an experienced starter who could be signed for a low base salary to provide some arm insurance in the event of injury or ineffectiveness.

Smoltz and his agent have told the Sox that they are one of six teams under consideration. He will pitch only for contending teams and is known to have had discussions with Detroit and the New York Mets.

As for Penny, he too saw his season cut short with shoulder woes and is not being pursued by the Dodgers.

Theo would opt not

Opt-out clauses are seemingly all the rage in Baseball, and the Yankees gave one to CC Sabathia yesterday - along with $161 million.

But it doesn't seem likely that the Red Sox would be willing to give one to Mark Teixeira - or anyone else for that matter.

Asked in general terms about the organization's willingness to offer an opt-out as part of a deal, Theo Epstein said: ``We'd be strongly opposed. It's hard to envision a scenario where we'd do it, certainly not in the prime of a player's career; probably never. It sets a bad precedent.'' . . .

Epstein said the Sox contingent would leave Las Vegas at some point tomorrow, with a couple of departure times pending, depending on developments, as the winter meetings wind down. . . .

This morning is the Rule 5 draft, which the Red Sox will probably sit out. . . .

Boras declined to say whether or not he had received an offer for Manny Ramirez but he did point out that, ``I would estimate nine to 10 teams need a No. 3 or 4 bat.''

David Ortiz' five-year run as the top designated hitter came to an end yesterday. Baltimore's Aubrey Huff was named the winner of the Edgar Martinez Designated Hitter Award, presented annually to the best DH.

Ortiz had won the award every year from 2003 through 2007, but didn't finish in the top three this season in voting conducted by beat writers, broadcasters and public relations departments.

Huff, who hit .303 with 23 homers and 77 RBI in 98 games as DH for the Orioles, is a first-time winner.

Read the Clubhouse Insider at bostonherald.com.