DANA POINT, Calif.–G.M. Theo Epstein confirmed that he would be meeting with agent Scott Boras in the next two days during the General Managers’ Meetings in Orange County, roughly a 10-minute drive from the offices of the Boras Corporation. Epstein said that he expects the focus of the conversation to be on Red Sox players-turned-free agents represented by Boras, a group that includes both catcher and Captain Jason Varitek and backup infielder Alex Cora.

Epstein said that the club’s most important concern at this point is to create “a deep and healthy organization,” but he did allow that “our most immediate need is catcher.” Even if the team signs Varitek, the G.M. said, it would not necessarily preclude pursuing a younger catcher of the future, perhaps on the trade market.

“We’ll keep all our options open,” said Epstein.

Boras initially declined to answer a question about Varitek’s performance dip in 2008, before pausing to offer a thought on his way out of the hotel. “Show me an average,” he said, referring to the broad arc of a career, “and it’s not aberrational.”

Boras also revealed that Hall-of-Fame-bound pitcher Greg Maddux is leaning towards retirement.