Baseball notebook

Yankees may be wooing Ramírez

Associated Press / November 1, 2008

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Manny Ramírez in pinstripes?

Hank Steinbrenner said the Yankees will explore all options during the offseason, including the possibility of making an offer to the free agent slugger.

"There's nothing we are not looking at," Steinbrenner said yesterday at the Yankees' spring training complex in Tampa. "And personally, I like Manny. He's one of the greatest hitters in the history of the game. He's a free spirit for sure, but he knows how to win. We like some of the other guys, too. We just don't know yet."

Ramírez was traded from the Red Sox to the Dodgers July 31, and Los Angeles is expected to attempt to re-sign the high-priced outfielder.

New York's priority is pitching, and CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett figure to be the top starters on the market. Milwaukee hopes to retain Sabathia's services and will make an offer to the lefthander.

"Every team in baseball wants Sabathia," Steinbrenner said. "That's the bottom line."

Delgado back to Mets

Carlos Delgado's $12 million option for 2009 was exercised by the Mets. The 36-year-old first baseman hit .308 with 27 homers and 80 RBIs in 84 games from June 27 on. That left him with a final average of .271 with 38 homers and 115 RBIs.

Pitcher Pedro Martínez was among six Mets who filed for free agency.

Phillies are feted

Hundreds of thousands of Phillies fans lined the streets of Philadelphia for a parade to honor the World Series champions. Pitcher Jamie Moyer, 45, attended the Phillies' last title parade in 1980, "but today tops it by far," he said . . . The Blue Jays exercised a $2.5 million option on Rod Barajas, while fellow catcher Jason LaRue agreed to a $950,000, one-year contract to stay with the Cardinals . . . Among those who had their 2009 club options declined were reliever Alan Embree (Athletics), catcher Henry Blanco (Cubs), and outfielder Jason Michaels (Pirates).