No matter what they say publicly, the Mets and Yankees are certain to investigate the possibility of signing Ramirez as they prepare to open new ballparks.

The Phillies, who need to either re-sign Pat Burrell or find a comparable right-handed hitting replacement, would be another possible fit. Ramirez is close with manager Charlie Manuel, though it's difficult to imagine team president David Montgomery, a conservative type, donning dreadlocks at Ramirez's introductory news conference.

I can hear Boras now: What team wouldn't want Manny Ramirez? He's right; many teams will. The only question is which club will jump. And how high.

The M's GM search: A wrong turn?

Barring a sudden reversal, the Mariners are almost certain to hire a first-time general manager — a move that already is being debated in baseball circles, considering that the team is coming off a 101-loss season.

An executive has to start somewhere, and perhaps one of the M's finalists will be the game's next great GM. But the job, while attractive, will be difficult, requiring a likely teardown. Prior experience would help.

Unfortunately for the M's, the market is thin.

The Padres would not allow Kevin Towers to leave. Brian Cashman signed a contract extension with the Yankees. The Cubs' Jim Hendry and Brewers' Doug Melvin are expected to reach new long-term deals soon.

If the M's expand their search to include more seasoned executives, they could look at former Astros GM Gerry Hunsicker, former Reds GM Wayne Krivsky and former Twins GM Terry Ryan. Of those, only Krivsky would have certain interest.

Even among unproven candidates, the M's were shut out on a number of fronts, either by those who declined interviews or were refused the chance by their current clubs. That list includes the Indians' Chris Antonetti, Tigers' Al Avila, White Sox's Rick Hahn, Red Sox's Jed Hoyer and A's David Forst.

Again, maybe the Mariners will find the next Theo Epstein or Andrew Friedman among the five candidates they have interviewed. But once they make their hire, M's fans will ask: "How is this person qualified to fix our sorry team?"

If the Mariners were hiring an experienced GM, they could provide a better answer.

The early days of the Flying Hawaiian

It's amazing that the Dodgers twice lost Shane Victorino in the Rule 5 draft — and twice were offered him back.

The first time, prior to the 2003 season, the Dodgers took back Victorino from the Padres. The second time, prior to the '05 season, they told the Phillies, "No, you keep him."

At the time, the Phillies didn't want Victorino in the majors, either — he showed five tools in spring training, former GM Ed Wade recalls, but not all at the same time.

Wade says the Phillies liked Victorino enough to keep him in their system, but they had to persuade him to accept an assignment to Class AAA rather than exercise his right to become a free agent.

As Wade recalls, manager Charlie Manuel and his staff liked Victorino, treated him well and communicated with him directly. And during that 2005 season, Victorino broke out at Class AAA.

The Dodgers, under then-GM Paul DePodesta, loved Victorino's speed and defensive ability, but never imagined he would hit consistently — and drive the ball with authority.

Mussina's choice

Friends of Yankees right-hander Mike Mussina are still convinced he will retire. One possible reason: Mussina fears that the Yankees will not be good enough next season for him to sufficiently chip away at the 30 victories he needs for 300.