Colletti says he isn’t afraid to make a big deal

The Dodgers do not plan to submit a bid for the right to negotiate with Japanese right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka, but that doesn’t mean they won’t aggressively pursue top-tier free agents this off-season.

Dodgers brass emerged from three days of meetings in Phoenix more convinced than ever that they must add a power hitter, at least one standout starting pitcher and arms in the bullpen. And General Manager Ned Colletti won’t be as reluctant to give a top player a long-term contract as he was last year, his first on the job.

“We have a much clearer view of which of our young players are everyday big-league players than we did a year ago,” he said. “Going into last December, I really wanted to leave as many options open as possible.

“Now I have a better feel for where the organization is in many respects. I’d be inclined to do a long-term deal for somebody we really want if that’s what it takes.”

Colletti plans to set his sights high as soon as free agents can accept offers Nov. 12. Starting pitchers Barry Zito, Jason Schmidt and Greg Maddux, outfielders Alfonso Soriano and Carlos Lee, and third baseman Aramis Ramirez can expect to hear from the Dodgers.

Landing a pricey starting pitcher and a proven slugger are top priorities. If Colletti can accomplish that, he can fill other holes with less expensive parts.

“One addition will cause a different train of thought,” he said. “Every time we add somebody, it will change our view of who we do and don’t need.”

Matsuzaka, 26, could fill the need for a starter, but with the bidding expected to approach $20 million, the Dodgers feel their dollars can be better spent elsewhere. The Mets and Yankees are expected to vie for Matsuzaka, who was 17-5 with a 2.13 earned-run average for the Seibu Lions and was MVP of the World Baseball Classic in March.

The team that posts the highest bid can negotiate exclusively with Matsuzaka, who could fetch another $40 million to $50 million in a long-term deal.

“The posting money is a detriment to me,” Colletti said. “You’re going to have to invest a lot of money before you even talk about a contract.”

The Dodgers don’t have interest in signing Korean outfielder Byung Kyu Lee, an unrestricted free agent represented by Beverly Hills Sports Council. Colletti said assistant general manager Kim Ng has had contract discussions with the agent for 36-year-old closer Takashi Saito, who had 24 saves as a Dodgers rookie last season but wasn’t certain he wanted to return because he missed his family.

steve.henson@latimes.com