Alhough Dodgers' owner Frank McCourt praised Manny Ramirez and General Manager Ned Colletti for the roles they've played in the team's playoff push, he refused to discuss the chances of either of them being back next season on Tuesday. McCourt said he wanted the focus to remain on the team and its on-field performance. Told that removing the cloud of uncertainty lingering over Colletti's head could help that happen, McCourt responded, "It's your prerogative and everybody in the media's prerogative . . . to debate these issues. That doesn't mean I should. . . . By addressing it, I would create a distraction." McCourt acknowledged that his team needed a player of Ramirez's caliber but was vague when asked if he would try to re-sign him. "I'll talk to you in the off-season about it," he said.