Nevertheless, Ramirez's agent, Scott Boras, rejected the deal. Boras told The Post in mid-October he will seek a contract that would pay Ramirez until he was 42, which would be a six-year deal. There remains a strong possibility that the Dodgers and Ramirez will find a middle ground. But Boras — as is his history — will first take his client into the open market and see what clubs are willing to pay.

"I think it (this process) does take time," Colletti said.

Mets and Yankees officials have said they will discuss Ramirez, but that the asking price — both in annual value and requested length — is not acceptable to them.

When asked about Ramirez yesterday, Mets GM Omar Minaya said the club's available dollars will be mostly invested in pitching not an offensive player such as Manny. Yankees GM Brian Cashman had dinner last night with Boras, but among his clients the Yanks are targeting Derek Lowe and Mark Teixeira mainly, with Oliver Perez and Ramirez more secondary matters, at best.

Ramirez's July 31 acquisition by the Dodgers launched them to an NL West title, and his 53 RBIs in 53 games instantly made him the most popular player of Dodgers fans.

The Yanks plan on being in on the Teixeira sweepstakes. But they also are lining up alternatives for first base just in case the price is too steep.

New York Yankees News News » Boras seeking longer deal for Ramirez
Boras seeking longer deal for Ramirez
DANA POINT, Calif. - The Dodgers badly want Manny to be Manny for them into the future. So much so that they are willing to make him the second-highest paid player in the majors behind Alex Rodriguez. Los Angeles GM Ned Colletti confirmed that Manny Ramirez was offered a contract that would pay him less than the $27.5 million annually that Rodriguez averages and more than the $22.92 million annually that Johan Santana averages. Colletti would not divulge the length of the deal. Earlier this offseason, Dodgers officials said the organization was planning a two-year package with an option year. The probability is that the deal was for about $25 million annually. More from the New York Post Willis: Jets put it together Brooks: Stop wasting Gomez Signals crossed for Eli, Plax More from The New York Post