Frank McCourt's fascination with all things Boston isn't likely to lead the Dodgers owner in the direction of Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein, who effectively resigned on Monday rather than sign a three-year contract worth an estimated $4.35 million. A source close to Epstein, whose longtime working relationship with Red Sox president Larry Lucchino had begun to sour, said he probably will take a year off from baseball due to burnout and isn't likely to have much interest in becoming the Dodgers' next GM. Meanwhile, two Dodgers spokespersons said Monday the club's search for a new GM will be cloaked in secrecy, the only available news to date being that the team received permission from Seattle to interview Pat Gillick. Gillick, a veteran general manager with a history of success, presently works as a special consultant to Mariners GM Bill Bavasi. Finally, Texas pitching coach Orel Hershiser told the Fort Worth (Texas) Star-Telegram on Monday he expects to meet with Dodgers officials in the next day or two, but he isn't sure for what position. The Dodgers pitching legend and 1988 World Series hero had been a finalist for the manager's job before GM Paul DePodesta was fired on Saturday. But Hershiser also has been mentioned as a possible candidate for the GM job and some other position in the front office that probably would serve as a GM apprenticeship to prepare Hershiser to take over one day.