The Red Sox are very interested in Diamondbacks outfielder Justin Upton, writes Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune. Rogers writes that Boston has been involved in discussions ever since it became known that Arizona was open to trading him.

A person familiar with the agreement tells The Associated Press that catcher Victor Martinez and the Tigers have reached a preliminary agreement on a $50 million, four-year contract. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Tuesday because the deal, which is subject to a physical, had not yet been announced.

Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated writes that it appears all but certain that free-agent catcher/first baseman Victor Martinez will not return to the Red Sox. The Tigers, Orioles and Rangers are much more aggressive in signing Martinez than the Red Sox. Martinez is seeking a five-year deal.

The Diamondbacks are fielding calls for outfielder Justin Upton and are looking major-league ready players in return. The Royals, Mariners, Marlins, Blue Jays and Red Sox are among about seven to eight teams seen as potentially serious suitors. Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated writes that Arizona would want Jacoby Ellsbury and Daniel Bard from Boston for Upton.

Red Sox shortstop Marco Scutaro has attracted interest from at least a half-dozen teams, according to CSNNE.com. Scutaro is scheduled to make an affordable $5 million in 2011 and a number of teams are looking for shortstop help, including the Cardinals, Reds, Padres and Giants.

The Red Sox want to re-sign third baseman Adrian Beltre, but Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe writes that they won't issue the veteran a blank check. According to a source, the Red Sox won't offer Beltre more than a four-year, $52 million contract. Beltre's agent, Scott Boras, is expected to meet with Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein at the GM meetings this week.

David Ortiz says he's fine with Boston's decision to pick up his $12.5 million option for the 2011 season, but admitted that he wanted "something different." Specifically, Ortiz was looking for a multi-year deal. "I was trying to get something different," Ortiz said. "I wanted to stay here longer. But I got what the team offered me, and I'm fine with it. "My agent tried to talk with [the Red Sox] about something else, but that didn't work out. I thought what I've done here in Boston was well-deserving of two years, but I can't do nothing about it now except come back and play. "People are doubting me, I know, but I don't really understand that. It's not like anyone is asking me for something I haven't already done. So you want me to come back and hit? Haven't I done that every year?"

The Red Sox have claimed right-handed pitcher Taylor Buchholz off waivers from the Blue Jays. Buchholz was 1-0 with a 3.75 ERA in nine relief outings with the Rockies and Blue Jays last season. Taylor Buchholz is not related to Boston starter Clay Buchholz.

The Red Sox may use left-hander Felix Doubront in a trade to bring a difference-maker for Boston. One rival general manager says of Doubront: "It's guaranteed he's traded by next July 31, and probably this offseason." A second adds: "They would part with him in a heartbeat to upgrade." Boston general manager Theo Epstein predictably denied the rumors. "That report couldn't be further from the truth," Epstein said. "We value Felix tremendously. He has a definite future. We see him as a starter long-term, and he could impact our bullpen or rotation in 2011."

On Friday, the Red Sox traded left-handed reliever Dustin Richardson, who flopped in his audition with the team this past season, to the Marlins for another left-hander, Andrew Miller. according to an ESPN.com report.