For the Dodgers, All Quiet on the GM Front

The general manager meetings are half over and the Dodgers don’t yet have one, and for a second day the organizational word on Frank McCourt’s search was “no news.”

McCourt is believed to have contacted former Boston Red Sox General Manager Theo Epstein at least once this week. It is unknown whether Epstein has agreed to become a candidate for the job, however, and those who have spoken to Epstein doubt he would seriously consider working for the Dodgers.

Officials from within the Texas Ranger organization continue to insist that John Hart would have little interest in becoming the Dodger general manager, though Hart had led McCourt to think otherwise as recently as Sunday. Hart has not returned numerous cellphone messages.

A friend of Hart’s who is attending the general manager meetings said Hart was in Los Angeles on Tuesday, presumably to meet with McCourt, though that could not be confirmed with Hart or the Dodgers.

Amid rumors the Red Sox are hoping to bring back Epstein, a little more than a week after he resigned, Red Sox President Larry Lucchino is expected to interview Jim Bowden today or Thursday here, and Jim Beattie on Friday in Boston.

Dodger assistant general manager Kim Ng, who interviewed with McCourt on Saturday, received support among her peers as news of her candidacy spread.

New York Yankee assistant general manager Jean Afterman, the only other woman to currently hold such a position, said baseball is ready for a female general manager, and that Ng is that woman.

“She’s proven what she can do,” Afterman said. “When you sit in the second chair, it may not be obvious to the world what you do. It’s well known in baseball what she does.

“It’s a great Hollywood story. I don’t mean that in a flippant way, because I think Hollywood stories are the best stories.”

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Jim Fregosi, the veteran manager employed as a special assignment scout for the Atlanta Braves, said he would like to be the next Dodger manager.

“I’d be interested, yeah,” he said. “If it’s the right situation, but it all depends on who the general manager is. I like what I’m doing.”

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Angel bench coach Joe Maddon interviewed for 2 1/2 hours Tuesday with Tampa Bay Devil Ray officials, including newly appointed senior vice president Gerry Hunsicker.

The Devil Rays expect to have a decision by next week.

“I feel good about the meeting,” Maddon said. “I feel there’s a lot in common. I like the people that I’ve met. We’ll see what happens.”

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The Dodgers and Angels have joined the chase of free-agent first baseman Paul Konerko, both seeking a middle-of-the-order bat, and both having spoken to Konerko’s agent, Craig Landis, during these meetings.

They can begin financial negotiations Friday for Konerko, the most attractive hitter in a marginal free-agent field.

The Chicago White Sox failed to extend Konerko’s contract during the season, but are working to re-sign him.

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Angel General Manager Bill Stoneman has spoken to a representative of free-agent catcher Bengie Molina, but not of pitcher Jarrod Washburn. Of Molina, Stoneman said, “If Bengie were interested in doing a deal we would find reasonable ... we may have interest.” With Bartolo Colon, Kelvim Escobar, John Lackey and Ervin Santana in the rotation, Stoneman will first attempt to re-sign Paul Byrd for the fifth, and final, spot.... The 16-team World Baseball Classic, to be held during next spring training, is making some general managers nervous, particularly in regard to potential pitch limits. Many restrictions were discussed during meetings Tuesday, with the high end being 100 pitches every five days.... The Yankees are among several teams that have spoken to the Dodgers about the availability of outfielder Milton Bradley.... Yankee General Manager Brian Cashman and the agent for Hideki Matsui, Arn Tellem, are expected to meet today. The Yankees have until Nov. 15 to re-sign Matsui, who would otherwise become a free agent. The Dodgers would have particular interest.