Varitek meets with Henry

Varitek declined comment when asked if the Red Sox expressed a desire for him to return. He also declined to address specifics as to why he remains unsigned less than four weeks before pitchers and catchers report to spring training.

Late last night, Henry returned an e-mail declining comment.

"It wouldn't be appropriate,'' wrote the Red Sox owner.

According to a baseball source, Varitek requested the meeting, an unusual development during a negotiating season typically dominated by agents. Varitek is a client of Scott Boras, the agent who represents first baseman Mark Teixeira. Teixeira turned down an offer from the Sox to sign with the Yankees last month. Coincidentally, Boras was in Atlanta yesterday to accompany another client, Derek Lowe, who was introduced by the Braves after signing a four-year, $60 million contract.

Henry, meanwhile, was in Boston to announce the signing of first baseman Kevin Youkilis to a four-year, $41 million deal.

Henry was critical of Boras during and after the Teixeira negotiations, all but accusing the agent of bluffing in an e-mail to multiple media outlets at a critical time in the negotiations.

On Jan. 6, the day the Yankees announced the acquisition of Teixeira, Henry sent a short e-mail to the Associated Press in which he all but accused Boras of failing to bargain in good faith.

"There was no mention of the Yankees, but we felt all along that they were going to get the last call," Henry wrote. "That's what you deal with in working with Scott."

It was unclear if the tension between Henry and Boras contributed to Varitek's request to meet with the Sox owner directly.

Boras could not be reached for comment, but it seems highly unlikely he would encourage a client to meet with any team without his presence, particularly at this stage of free agency.

The meeting between Henry and Varitek suggests that any discussion has reached a critical stage. In November, Varitek filed for free agency for the second time during his Sox career, but a poor season during which he batted .220 has left him with little or no leverage on the open market.