LAS VEGAS -- As they promised last month, the Dodgers have so far ignored the big-name free agents and focused instead on their multiple other needs.
As Scott Miller wrote earlier today, it appears that they'll re-sign third baseman Casey Blake. That means that Blake DeWitt can play second base, but it still leaves the Dodgers without a shortstop. Also, the Dodgers remain in the market for a setup man.
And where does that leave Manny Ramirez?
Nowhere yet, and people familiar with the Dodgers say they don't expect general manager Ned Colletti to focus on Ramirez anytime soon. Colletti may not focus on Ramirez at all, because it's believed that any Ramirez negotiations will be handled directly by owner Frank McCourt. McCourt was also heavily involved in the deal with the Red Sox that made Manny a Dodger in the first place.
As for CC Sabathia, the Dodgers seem to know that they'd have a real chance for him if they would only seriously enter the bidding. But it still seems very unlikely that they'll do that.
