Are the Dodgers serious about Manny Ramirez?

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There have been several reports today suggesting that the Dodgers either have been or will be negotiating with free agent sluggers Adam Dunn and Bobby Abreu.

What? No Manny Ramirez?

That’s not too surprising, actually. The Dodgers made Ramirez a two-year, $45-million offer weeks ago and then retracted it when there was no immediate response.

Since then, it’s become clear that there really isn’t much of a market for Ramirez, who almost single-handedly lifted the Dodgers to the NL West title last season, but still hasn’t been able to shake concerns about his attitude.

Which is why it makes sense for the Dodgers to at least talk to Dunn and Abreu -- if only to strengthen their bargaining position with Ramirez.

Also, there is a report that the Dodgers and Mets have talked about a trade involving Andruw Jones. Any deal involving Jones would probably call for the Dodgers to eat much of the more than $20 million they owe him -- or to take in exchange a player with a similarly bad contract.

Geez, is there another team in baseball with a player as overpaid as Jones? This is for certain: While it’s too late for Christmas, dumping Jones would at least give Dodgers fans a start toward a happy New Year.

-- Mike Hiserman