There were strong indications on Sunday night the Dodgers have offered their vacant general manager's position to former Boston GM Theo Epstein and that they had sweetened the deal by offering Epstein a small ownership stake similar to what Billy Beane has in Oakland. Two sources, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said they had heard through baseball's considerable rumor mill that such an offer had been made. But neither source had heard it directly from Epstein or from anyone inside the Dodgers organization. Even if the offer has been made, it is questionable - and perhaps even doubtful - whether Epstein will accept. Epstein, 31, stepped down as the Red Sox's GM late last month, spurning a three-year, $4.5 million offer to stay. At the time, he gave only vague, cryptic reasons for his departure, but it was clear his relationship with Red Sox president Larry Lucchino, Epstein's longtime mentor, had soured. Most of those close to Epstein believe he will take some time away from the game, a belief that seems to fit perfectly with widespread reports he is a candidate to take over as team president and possibly GM in Washington once the pending sale of the Nationals is complete. Officials from Major League Baseball, which currently owns that club, have yet to select from among several groups vying to buy the Epstein, like Dodgers owner Frank McCourt, is a Boston-area native. But in terms of philosophy, he doesn't seem to be much of a departure from Paul DePodesta, whom McCourt fired as the Dodgers' GM on Oct. 29. If Epstein doesn't become the Dodgers' next GM, the job likely will go either to San Francisco assistant GM Ned Colletti or Dodgers assistant GM Kim Ng.