MLB NOTEBOOK: DODGERS JOB APPEALS TO FREGOSI.

Byline: Vincent Bonsignore Staff Writer

Jim Fregosi wants the Dodgers' vacant managerial job. In fact, he even knows what he wants to do with it if he gets it.

``Hopefully win a lot of World Championships,'' he said Monday from his home in Tampa, Fla.

But wanting it and having it are two different things, as Fregosi was quick to point out yesterday as reports swirled that he'd already been offered the job by new Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti.

``That's not true,'' said Fregosi, who interviewed for the job on Saturday with Colletti. ``I thought the interview went well, but Ned made it clear he had a few other people to talk to. I don't expect to hear anything until after Thanksgiving.''

Colletti, back in town after spending the weekend in Florida attending former boss Brian Sabean's wedding, met with Fregosi along with aides Kim Ng, Roy Smith and Logan White.

Although Colletti termed the meeting productive and informational, he spent much of his first day back at work mulling the merits of other candidates and expects to ask for permission to talk to at least two of them in the next day or so.

Colletti did not put a timetable on making his decision, although he would like to have it wrapped up by the winter meetings, which begin Dec. 5 in Dallas.

``You'd love to have one today,'' he said. ``But that's not the case.''

The rest of Colletti's Monday was spent formulating a plan for what's shaping up as an active winter. There are glaring holes to fill at third base, first base, the outfield and the starting pitching rotation, and he hopes to address as many of those as he can through free agency and trades.

In fact, he spoke by phone to Marlins G.M. Larry Beinfest, who has been instructed by ownership to slash payroll by moving as many high-priced Marlins as possible, including Carlos Delgado, Mike Lowell and Josh Beckett.

The Dodgers have an interest in Delgado, a power-hitting first baseman they lack, and they have plenty of highly regarded young players in their farm system to put together an attractive package.

``We'll speak again,'' Colletti said.

--Also: The Texas Rangers' pursuit of Florida ace Josh Beckett ended Monday, despite the team's apparent willingness to trade All-Star third baseman Hank Blalock and a top pitching prospect.

New Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said he received a call Monday afternoon from Marlins GM Larry Beinfest, who told him ``the Marlins are going to go in another direction with their trade.''

Officials of two other major league teams, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the Boston Red Sox were deep in discussions to acquire Beckett and third baseman Mike Lowell from the Marlins for top shortstop prospect Hanley Ramirez and one or two other prospects.

Another person familiar with the talks said Boston might include pitching prospects Anibel Sanchez and Jesus Delgado.

Former major-leaguers Mike Butcher and George Hendrick joined the Tampa Bay Devil Rays as part of new manager Joe Maddon's coaching staff. Butcher will be the team's pitching coach and Hendrick will be the first-base coach ... Catcher Kenji Johjima and the Seattle Mariners agreed to a $16.5 million, three-year contract.