The Dodgers, suitably intrigued by the possibility, are talking to the representatives of each of those players, major-league sources say.

But the team wants to exhaust its options with Ramirez before proceeding with an alternate plan.

The Dodgers' latest offer -- one year, $25 million, a contract that would give Ramirez the second-highest salary in the sport -- appears to be a first step toward such an end game.

Ramirez, through his agent, Scott Boras, quickly rejected the offer, according to the Los Angeles Times. If Dodgers officials proceed with Plan B, Ramirez could be left with the Giants as perhaps his only suitor -- unless, perhaps, he wants to play for the Nationals.

The risk of losing Ramirez to the Giants is that the Dodgers would face his wrath 18 times a year -- in the uniform of their biggest rival, no less.

Not to worry.

Ramirez, hitting in the middle of the Giants' weak lineup, might never see a strike. Barry Bonds, surrounded by better hitters, rarely did in his latter seasons in San Francisco.

Just picture Ramirez taking walk after walk while playing in chilly temperatures in a pitcher-friendly park at a salary far below what he desires.