Jason Varitek says he is "close" to taking a new job with the Red Sox, but it does not appear it will be as Bobby Valentine's replacement.

The former catcher dodged a question about whether he is interested in managing.

"Why are you asking me that?" he said. "You think I'm going to answer that question right now? I'm not going to answer that question."

A baseball source with direct knowledge of the talks between Varitek and the Red Sox said he is likely to be named a special assistant to general manager Ben Cherington.