LAS VEGAS (AP) -Ned Colletti has plenty of business at hand other than constantly wondering whether Manny Ramirez will wear Dodger Blue come 2009.
Colletti, the Los Angeles general manager, insisted Monday he will work hard at this week’s baseball winter meetings to settle things at third base and the middle of the infield. He has already met with representatives for free agent shortstop Rafael Furcal at the Bellagio resort and was hopeful of re-signing third baseman Casey Blake.
Colletti isn’t sure how long Ramirez will take to decide where he plays next season.
“If that decision takes weeks or months, we can’t have the same holes on our club,” Colletti said, noting that if Ramirez returns the Dodgers can get by with less offense from their infielders.
Ramirez, acquired by the Dodgers from Boston on the July 31 trade deadline, is coming off a $160 million, eight-year contract he signed with the Red Sox before the 2001 season.
hird baseman Alex Rodriguez’s $27.5 million, 10-year deal.
Ramirez made it clear after the season he intended to test his value in free agency. The 36-year-old Ramirez hit .396 with 17 home runs and 53 RBIs in his 53 games for the Dodgers – and brought out big crowds wherever the team went.
“I want to see who is the highest bidder. Gas is up and so am I,” Ramirez said at the time.
The 31-year-old Furcal was sidelined for all but 36 games last season with Los Angeles because of back problems that required surgery. He was activated from the 60-day disabled list during the final week after being sidelined since May 6.
Furcal batted .357 with five home runs and 16 RBIs for the division champions, who swept the Chicago Cubs in the first round of the playoffs then lost in five games of the NL championship series to the eventual World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies.
Furcal wants a four-year deal and turned down such an offer from the Oakland Athletics on Friday. The A’s still have former first-round pick and 2004 AL Rookie of the Year shortstop Bobby Crosby under contract through 2009.
Furcal’s agent, Paul Kinzer, said if Oakland still wanted to make a run at Furcal “it’s up to them” – though A’s general manager Billy Beane might have already moved on to other things.
n. We haven’t crossed anybody off.”
Colletti didn’t rule out the Dodgers making a go at star left-hander CC Sabathia, who along with Mark Teixeira are the two highest-priced free agents on the market.
“It’s a possibility,” Colletti said. “It’s an interesting dynamic with anybody who is long-term at a salary that’s higher than most. When you’re talking about a player who is long-term, it’s going to change the dynamic of your team in some way.”
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