Dodgers Could Take Marlins’ Bait

The Dodgers have jumped in on the fire sale that apparently will become the Florida Marlins, though apparently too late to acquire starter Josh Beckett, who on Monday night was rumored to be headed to the Boston Red Sox with Mike Lowell for a handful of prospects.

Dodger General Manager Ned Colletti spoke Monday with Marlin General Manager Larry Beinfest, who he said was “thinking about moving a few different players ... and he knows what our interest is.”

Of the potentially available Marlins, center fielder and leadoff hitter Juan Pierre, and first baseman and middle-of-the-order hitter Carlos Delgado would make the most sense, given Dodger needs in the outfield and at first base.

On a back-loaded contract he signed almost a year ago, Delgado is due $48 million over the next three years. Colletti said owner Frank McCourt has not yet set his payroll. Organizational sources have estimated it to be as low as $75 million, $6 million less than last season.

Colletti said he has expressed to McCourt his visions for the team -- adding an outfielder such as free agent Brian Giles, who is expected to draw as much as $11 million a year, a third baseman such as Nomar Garciaparra, who could fill in at shortstop as Cesar Izturis heals from Tommy John surgery, and another starting pitcher.

“I haven’t been told to slow down, stop or turn back,” Colletti said. “I don’t have a direct number, but I don’t have any need for a set number right now.”

Colletti continued to compile a list of managerial candidates beyond front-runner Jim Fregosi. Angel pitching coach Bud Black is believed to be among those who will be contacted and interviewed.

Over the weekend, Colletti identified Fregosi as a qualified candidate, lost Lou Piniella and conducted an information-only meeting with Terry Collins, who does not appear to be in the running. He went back to the phones Monday when he researched potential candidates and did not formally request permission to contact any. He said he believed he would make at least two requests by today, and hoped to have a manager in place by the winter meetings, which begin Dec. 5 in Dallas.

“I can’t guarantee it’s going to be done by the winter meetings,” he said. “I’d certainly like it to be done by then.”