Sox interested in Japan hurlers

DANA POINT, Calif. - The Red Sox have strong interest in a pair of Japanese righthanders, but general manager Theo Epstein would not comment on the extent of it, saying international negotiations are confidential.

The Sox are heavily involved with righthander Junichi Tazawa, 22, who played in the amateur Industrial League.

The Braves have made Tazawa a major league offer, and the Mariners are expected to make one by next week.

Epstein would not say whether the Sox made their offer, but indications are that they have.

The Sox also have interest in Kenshin Kawakami, a 33-year-old righty for the Chunichi Dragons who went 9-5 with a 2.30 ERA last season. Kawakami is a Hiroki Kuroda-type pitcher with a cut fastball and good curveball who could man the No. 4 or 5 spot in the Sox rotation.

The Sox are likely to add a veteran starter, which still could be Paul Byrd. They also have been linked to White Sox righty Javier Vazquez.

Derek Lowe has made Boston his No. 1 preference, but the Sox might not want to spend that type of money.

Can we talk?

The Sox expect to receive a call any day from the Mariners asking permission to speak to a coach - John Farrell, Brad Mills, or DeMarlo Hale - about the vacant Seattle managing job. Farrell said by e-mail yesterday that he had not been contacted . . . Epstein didn't have much of a reaction to rumors of a Coco Crisp-for-Khalil Greene deal. The Sox seem committed to Jed Lowrie and still have Julio Lugo. Greene hit only .213 last season with 10 homers . . . Epstein said Lugo is 100 percent recovered from his quadriceps tear and likely will play winter ball in the Dominican. There has been talk that the Mets and White Sox have interest in Lugo. The White Sox appear willing to move Vazquez. The Mets and White Sox were huddling yesterday afternoon . . . There is interest in Crisp, and the Sox may move him to accommodate his wishes of playing full-time. The Sox continue to be committed to Jacoby Ellsbury as their regular center fielder.

Make him an offer

A.J. Burnett's agent indicated that his client will opt out of the remaining $24 million on his contract with the Blue Jays and become a free agent. There will be no shortage of teams lining up - the Mets, Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals, Astros, Dodgers, Brewers, and Phillies, to name a few . . . The Yankees declined options on Jason Giambi and Carl Pavano, but Giambi wants to return. He also will draw interest from the Jays, who are looking for a DH . . . Bobby Abreu made an appearance here at the GM meetings, looking for a job. The Yankees may re-sign him at a much lower rate than the $16 million they paid him last year . . . Cubs GM Jim Hendry is searching for a lefthanded-hitting outfielder.

Tax time

The Red Sox have determined that their luxury-tax threshold for the upcoming season is $160.5 million; last year it was $154 million, but their actual payroll was in the $130,000s . . . According to Epstein, team doctors indicate that Mike Lowell should be 100 percent by spring training in his recovery from the partially torn labrum in his right hip . . . The Nationals are looking to make a big splash with a hitter, and their people are talking Mark Teixeira. They are in desperate need of someone to bring fans to the stadium. Manny Ramírez doesn't appear to be a target, but a Nationals official said, "I wouldn't rule him out, either." . . . Matt Holliday was here; the Rockies outfielder could be on the trading block, and there would appear to be big-time interest . . . Pat Burrell is drawing interest from the Giants . . . World Series-winning manager Charlie Manuel will be heading home to Winter Haven, Fla., today after a two-day appearance here. Asked whether his life has changed forever, he said, "Probably, but in the way I always wanted it to change. Now people look at you differently."

Nick Cafardo can be reached at cafardo@globe.com