The team needs to hire a manager — former A's manager Ken Macha is the front-runner, sources say — and also must decide whether to exercise center fielder Mike Cameron's $10 million option within five days after the World Series.

For all the talk about Ramirez, agent Scott Boras likely will find it much easier to create a market for first baseman Mark Teixeira, who is expected to be a primary target of three high-revenue teams — the Yankees, Red Sox and Angels.

While the Red Sox currently do not have an opening for Teixeira, they could sign him due to their concerns over third baseman Mike Lowell and designated hitter David Ortiz, then make the pieces fit later.

Lowell, recovering from surgery on his right hip, is expected to be out until at least mid-March. It's unlikely a team would take a chance on him before seeing him play. Then again, Casey Blake and Joe Crede are the only prominent free-agent third basemen, and some club might bite on Lowell if it were satisfied with his medical progress.

Lowell, who is owed $24 million over the next two seasons, does not have a no-trade clause.

The Braves and Padres remain at an impasse in their trade discussions concerning right-hander Jake Peavy, sources say.

The Padres are believed to be asking for five players, knowing the Braves parted with that many when they acquired first baseman Mark Teixeira and left-hander Ron Mahay from the Rangers.

Of course, the players and combinations remain fluid, and the final package could hinge on whether the Braves take back shortstop Khalil Greene as a replacement for Yunel Escobar, who likely would be included in the deal.

For the moment, the Braves remain opposed to trading Class AA right-hander Tommy Hanson, who has pitched 8 2/3 scoreless innings in the Arizona Fall League and could be in the Atlanta rotation next season.

The Padres' discussions with other clubs about Peavy also are quiet, but the talks are certain to resume next week at the general managers' meetings in Dana Point, Ca.

One rival executive says that the Rangers' hiring of Rick Peterson as pitching coach would be "the biggest surprise of the winter," saying that Peterson and club president Nolan Ryan are "North Pole and South Pole" in their approaches.

Peterson's emphasis on conditioning and throwing strikes seemingly would fit with what Ryan wants to accomplish, and the former A's and Mets pitching coach remains a leading candidate for the Rangers.