MLB Notebook | Manny Ramirez leaves without talking about baseball future

LOS ANGELES — In the wake of an incredible 2 ½ months with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Manny Ramirez hit the road Thursday without revealing his future plans.

"I'm not talking, guys," the 36-year-old slugger said as he entered an elevator at Dodger Stadium after packing up his belongings. "I said all I had to say yesterday. I'll send you guys a Christmas card."

What Ramirez said Wednesday night, after the Dodgers lost to the Philadelphia Phillies 5-1 in Game 5 in the National League Championship Series to end their most successful postseason in 20 years, was simple enough.

"I want to thank the fans for their great support. I think it was a great trade," he said regarding the July 31 deal that got him out of Boston. "I just want to go home and spend some time with my family. I want to see who is the highest bidder. Gas is up and so am I."

Ramirez, a 12-time All-Star who ranks 17th on baseball's career list with 527 homers and has hit a record 28 postseason homers, becomes a free agent after the World Series. Agent Scott Boras is expected to ask for a multiyear contract worth at least $20 million per year.

There's no question what Dodgers fans want.

"Man-ny stay, Man-ny stay," they chanted in the late stages of Wednesday night's finale of the NLCS.

"Manny had a great run with this club," Dodgers owner Frank McCourt said. "I certainly hope he's back, but it takes two to tango. He had a great impact on these fans."

Ramirez hit .396 with 17 homers and 53 runs batted in for the Dodgers in 53 regular-season games.

Notes

• Tom Tresh, the 1962 American League Rookie of the Year and part of three New York Yankees teams that reached the World Series, died at 71 after a heart attack in Venice, Fla. In 1962, Tresh hit .286 with 20 homers and a career-high 93 runs batted in. He joined Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris in helping the Yankees reach the World Series from 1962 to 1964. Tresh's father, Mike, spent 12 years in the majors, mostly as a catcher.

• The Dominican Republic still hopes Albert Pujols can play in the World Baseball Classic despite his elbow surgery. The St. Louis star had a 25-minute outpatient procedure Monday to relieve nerve irritation in his right elbow. The Dominican Republic will face Puerto Rico, Holland and Panama in March.

• Yankees co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner says Joba Chamberlain likely will return to the rotation next spring. Chamberlain began this season in the bullpen before becoming a starter June 3.