The interest the Red Sox have in Josh Hamilton has been "overblown," according to a source.

Boston is in the market for a pair of outfielders, but Hamilton isn't near the top of their list this offseason.

"We've talked, by this time in the offseason, like most teams, we've talked to just about every agent of any prominent free agent," Ben Cherington said Thursday of talks with Hamilton's agent.

"That's part of our job, to do that due diligence. That doesn't mean anything other than we've met with several agents for all of the higher profile — and some lesser profile — free agents. It's really part of due diligence, get more information as to what guys are looking for, how it might fit into what we're doing. Now is the time when we try to hone in on the guys who make the most sense for us."