Nats not interested in Manny

There have been several reports recently that the Nationals have interest in free agent outfielder Manny Ramirez. No so, according to general manager Jim Bowden.

Ramirez is 36 years old and had one of his best seasons in 2008, hitting a combined .332 with 37 home runs and 121 RBIs for the Red Sox and Dodgers, but at his age, he wouldn't figure in the Nationals' long-term plans.

"We are not pursuing Manny Ramirez," Bowden said in an e-mail

The Nationals are looking for a left-handed hitting slugger, however, and they are pursuing free agents Mark Teixeira and Adam Dunn and Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder, which was reported by MLB.com a day before the annual General Managers Meetings in Dana Point, Calif.

-- Bill Ladson