CHICAGO — Speaking to a group of reporters in his suite at the O’Hare International Airport Hilton, where this year’s general managers meetings are being held, Red Sox GM Theo Epstein said that his organization sees Victor Martinez as its “everyday catcher” for 2010.

The pronouncement came after the the team officially announced it wouldn’t be picking up the $5 million team option on Jason Varitek, who now has five days to decide if he will accept the $3 million player option.

“We’re going to really look for Victor to be an everyday catcher for us next year,” Epstein said. “We feel like that puts us in the best position to win with Victor catching as much as he can. The other spot we’ll have available is for more of a traditional backup. We’ll see what Tek’s decision is before we move forward.”

Epstein classified the Red Sox’ approach as a “waiting mode,” but is optimistic about Martinez’ ability to handle the workload catching on a regular basis.

“He really sees himself as a catcher,” Epstein said of Martinez. “We have to be smart about it. We can’t push him to the point where we get diminishing returns. But I think he can catch a little  bit more and he’ll prepare himself to do that.”

Epstein said the club hasn’t started talks with either Martinez — who had his option picked up by the Sox for the 2010 season — or pitcher Josh Beckett regarding contract extensions.

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