Hank Steinbrenner said the Yankees will explore all options during the off season, including the possibility of making an offer to the free-agent slugger.
"There's nothing we are not looking at," Steinbrenner said Friday at the Yankees' spring training complex. "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."
Ramirez was traded from Boston to the Dodgers on July 31, and Los Angeles is expected to attempt to re-sign the high-priced outfielder.
"I want to see who is the highest bidder," Ramirez said when the Dodgers lost the NL championship series. "Gas is up and so am I."
New York's priority is pitching, and CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett figure to be the top starters on the market.
"Every team in baseball wants Sabathia," Steinbrenner said. "That's the bottom line. It's not a real secret. Pitching is in the forefront for everybody, not just us. That's why starting pitching is at a premium."
The Yankees missed the playoffs this year for the first time since 1993.
