When Sabean, the Giants' general manager, signed ancient pitcher Randy Johnson last month, he said: "We mean business. We're trying to get back into our winning ways. And I think now we've got a chance to make a run at the division."

Can you really make that kind of statement and not go after the most dangerous hitter in Baseball?

Ramirez, who will turn 37 in May, would jump-start the Giants' impotent offense. Even more delicious, Ramirez in a Giants uniform would devastate the Dodgers.

If the Giants really want to compete for the National League West, they'll need to score more often. Last season, they were the only team in the majors to hit fewer than 100 home runs. They also were last in RBIs.

The pitching staff is great. But what's the point of giving Johnson a one-year deal potentially worth $13 million if you're not going after offense, too?

Ramirez single-handedly changed the balance of power in the division last season, propelling the Dodgers to the title after he came over in a trade in July. He could be the power broker again. What could be better for the Giants than helping themselves and simultaneously hurting their rival?

Ramirez is controversial and compelling, a potential game-changer and clubhouse-destroyer. Just like the Giants' former left fielder.

As with Barry Bonds, Ramirez comes with plenty of negatives.

Money. He would be expensive. Ramirez already passed on the Dodgers' offer of two years at $45 million (which might have been ill-advised given the current market).

But"... Giants fans have watched their team spend foolishly for years. They'll be impatient if the Giants suddenly become too cautious.

Agent. The Giants were robbed blind by Scott Boras in the Barry Zito deal, and they're gun-shy of getting involved again with Boras, who will delight in pitting the N.L. West rivals against each other.

But"... The Giants can't blame Boras for their own stupidity. If they want the best players in Baseball, they're going to have to deal with his ilk.

Clubhouse cancer. Ramirez is the closest thing to Bonds in more ways than a dangerous bat and goofy pants. He's considered a self-absorbed pariah. Though he has never, to anyone's knowledge, brought a steroid dealer into the clubhouse, he did something considered worse in Baseball: He quit on the Red Sox last season.

The Giants already fumigated their clubhouse after 15 years of kowtowing to Bonds. Adding Ramirez could wreck the budding good vibe.

But... Unlike when they made Bonds the sun of their solar system for more than a decade, the Giants would be in a relatively short-term deal with Ramirez. Bonds' entitlement, legal controversies and pursuit of a tainted record dwarfed any concept of team in his final years. Ramirez's baggage is much smaller by comparison.

Plus, while the Giants' new chemistry is encouraging, it might suffer if the team keeps losing.

Defensive liability. The Giants are trying to win with pitching and defense. Having Ramirez in left field wouldn't help, particularly since Aaron Rowand struggled to cover center field last season.

But"... The Giants have to find offense somewhere. Left field has traditionally been their run-producing position.

Squelching the youth movement. Aren't the Giants supposed to be building for the future?

But... The Giants don't exactly have a youth movement going on in the outfield, with Rowand and Randy Winn penciled in at center and right. Fred Lewis, a personal favorite who is coming off foot surgery, would be the one who suffers. But if the average starting outfielder's age is 34, Lewis would end up getting plenty of playing time.

Sabean would like a cone of silence over the proceedings. But Manny-as-a-Giant is too intriguing to keep quiet.

Contact Ann Killion at akillion@mercurynews.com or (408) 920-5805.