There could be a Manny Ramirez sequel in Hollywood if a blockbuster deal can be worked out.
The Los Angeles Dodgers will talk to the slugger's agent, Scott Boras, and according to an SI.com report on Wednesday, average salary might not be an issue. The duration of the contract is another matter, however.
"We don't have too many six-year deals,'' Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti said, according to the Web site. Actually, nobody on the Dodgers has a six-year contract.
On Thursday, ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney reported that according to sources, the Dodgers have had no conversations, either internally or externally, about money with any of their many free agents, which would include Ramirez.
Ramirez has said publicly that he is looking for a long-term deal. Sources told SI.com that the Dodgers might be willing to pay Ramirez Alex Rodriguez-type money, but only for two years.
"We'll know more after we sit down with Scott to gauge what's happening and see if there's some place we can meet in the middle,'' Colletti said, according to the site.
After the Dodgers were eliminated by the Phillies in the NLCS, Ramirez said: "I want to see who is the highest bidder. Gas is up and so am I."
The Yankees, Phillies, Mets and even the Blue Jays could possibly pursue Ramirez, but some will likely balk at paying him more than $20 million per season.
"It would really be a long shot for us to bring him to Toronto," Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi said on Wednesday, according to FoxSports.com. "He's on our radar, but maybe not on our radar like some people will report. I don't see us getting involved in unbelievable, astronomical numbers. We would not go down that path."
Ramirez hit .396 with 17 homers, 53 RBIs, 36 runs scored, 74 hits and 35 walks in 53 regular-season games, leading the Dodgers to the NL West title.
He was even more potent in the postseason, hitting .520 with four homers, 10 RBIs, nine runs scored and 11 walks in eight playoff games.
The 12-time All-Star has hit 527 career homers, with another 28 in the postseason.
The Dodgers realize what Ramirez does for the team.
"Manny had a great run with this club," Dodgers owner Frank McCourt said after L.A.'s season ended. "I certainly hope he's back, but it takes two to tango. He had a great impact on these fans."
Information from ESPN The Magazine senior writer Buster Olney and The Associated Press was used in this report.