Epstein

LAS VEGAS — Agent Scott Boras arrived at the Bellagio Hotel at 8:15 local time last night and quickly made his way through the lobby.

When asked if his client Jason Varitek would accept or decline the Red Sox’ salary arbitration offer, the super agent quickly said, “No.”

“We’re not going to take it,” Boras said. “We’re going to decline. We are talking with the Red Sox and other teams about ‘Tek’.”

It was also announced that Byrd did not accept arbitration.

Boras was asked if he has had any discussion with the Red Sox regarding another client, free-agent first baseman Mark Teixeira. He answered: “Ask [Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein] about that.”

With that, he made his way through the casino.

Making a quick entrance is unlike Boras. Normally, he’ll answer questions and make his demands clear, especially during the annual winter meetings. This time, however, was a bit different.

Others to announce they had rejected salary arbitration included the Dodgers’ Manny Ramirez, Derek Lowe and Casey Blake. The Associated Press reported that Darren Oliver (Los Angeles Angels) and David Weathers (Cincinnati) were the only free agents to accept salary arbitration.

Boras wasn’t the only person in a hurry on the eve of the start of baseball’s winter meetings. An hour earlier, Yankees GM Brian Cashman and manager Joe Girardi left the Bellagio together and were heading somewhere in a hurry. It was reported that the Yankees were scheduled to meet with free-agent pitcher CC Sabathia, who is not a Boras client.

It’s not a surprise that Boras and Varitek declined the offer. Boras is seeking a long-term deal for his client, which the Red Sox are hesitant to offer right now.

So now what?

The best-case scenario for Boston would have been for Varitek to accept arbitration, which would have guaranteed his return. The Red Sox will likely stay the course with their short-term deal plans for Varitek. Just because he declined the offer doesn’t mean he won’t return to Boston. It just means now other teams can negotiate with him. That’s what Boras wanted all along.

Epstein certainly has his backup plans in place for this week, and for the near future if something doesn’t get done here. That may mean trading for a young catcher, which the GM seems prepared to do.

The other big news this week will be where the likes of CC Sabathia, Mark Teixeira, Manny Ramirez, Derek Lowe, A.J. Burnett, and others will end up. The rumor mill began to churn earlier yesterday as organizations began checking in and setting up the suites.

As the afternoon turned into evening here the lobby at the Bellagio was abuzz with front-office personnel from every team filling in with a horde of national media, waiting for something to break. The anticipation level is alive as fans and spectators stood nearby wondering what was happening.

jmcdonal@projo.com