Manny Ramirez a hit with Hank Steinbrenner

In what could be a snapshot from superagent Scott Boras’ fever dreams, Hank Steinbrenner Friday told The Associated Press how much he admires Boras client Manny Ramirez, the slugging free agent outfielder.

“Personally, I like Manny,” said Steinbrenner, the Yankees’ co-chairman. “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.”

...While the Yanks surely will discuss Ramirez, their priority for the offseason is starting pitching, as every Yankee official within range of a TV camera or reporter’s notebook has said repeatedly recently. Steinbrenner is no different and told the AP, “There’s nothing we are not looking at.”

..."Every team in baseball wants Sabathia,” Steinbrenner told the AP. “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.”

Even if some of them don’t know how to win!