Red Sox Notes: Ellsbury, Starting Pitching, Hamilton

Red Sox GM Ben Cherington held court with reporters today; here's the latest:

• Trading center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury "is not our intent," Cherington said.  The GM sees Ellsbury as a big part of the 2013 team.  There's been recent speculation about Ellsbury as a trade candidate given Shane Victorino's ability to play center field and Ellsbury's impending walk year.
• The starting pitching market is starting to move a bit, and Cherington says it's his top priority now.  It's known that the Red Sox made an offer for Dan Haren before he signed with the Nationals, and they've shown some interest in Ryan Dempster and Carl Pavano.
• Cherington is open-minded about outfielder Cody Ross, but the team has not been in contact with him since news of the Victorino agreement broke.
• Cherington acknowledged meeting with a player this week, who Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston believes was Josh Hamilton.  The Sox indeed met with Hamilton before he left Nashville, tweets Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports.