CLEVELAND -- Cleveland Indians general manager John Hart has heard the mind-numbing salary numbers floating around: $118 million for Derek Jeter, $140 million for Juan Gonzalez.

They are troubling figures for Hart, who may soon have to ask Cleveland owner Larry Dolan to shell out more than that to re-sign All-Star right fielder Manny Ramirez.

	Ramirez

"I've been doing this now for 12 years and to see what is happening is very difficult to understand," Hart said Monday. "It's depressing."

Heading into a 2000 season they hope will finally end their 52-year World Series title drought, the Indians have one thing hanging over their heads -- Ramirez's future.

Ramirez, who led the majors with 165 RBI in 1999, is in the final year of his contract. Ramirez has said he wants to stay in Cleveland to finish his career, but the way free-agent contracts are escalating, the Indians may not be able to afford him.

The recent news that the New York Yankees were close to signing Jeter to a seven-year, $118.5 million contract and Detroit's willingness to give Gonzalez an eight-year, $140-million package, has potentially taken Ramirez into a financial stratosphere the Indians can't and won't approach.

"As much as we'd like to sign Manny, we just don't think the economics make sense for us at this time," Hart said. "We'll wait and see what happens. There's a a big class of (free-agent) players coming out next year. We'd like to retain Manny if at all possible. What other clubs do sometimes doesn't make sense to us."

Hart said he and Ramirez's agent, Jeff Moorad, have had several brief conversations recently.

"We've had some informal discussions," Hart said. "But they've been, hello? Goodbye."

Moorad told The Associated Press that neither side has presented anything formal and he likely would meet with Hart in Florida during spring training.

"I know we'll talk when the Indians feel comfortable moving forward," he said. "I'm certain our paths will cross in the near future."

Ramirez, who will make $4 million in the final year of his contract, has made it known that he wants to stay with the Indians.

Hart has built his team into a perennial World Series contender by signing his top players to long-term deals, and has avoided having to pay any one player a giant contract.

"Look at the Yankees," he said. "When Jeter signs, they'll have three players in double (million) digits. But they have a different market.

"But the bottom line is we're going to show up with Manny in right field for the 2000 season and we'll make a good decision when the time is right."

New Indians manager Charlie Manuel expects Ramirez to walk up to him one day soon, perhaps during spring training next month, and ask for some advice.

Not on how to hit a curveball or Pedro Martinez's sinker.

No, Ramirez will be looking for guidance about his playing future.

Stay in Cleveland? Or take bigger, free-agent money elsewhere?

Manuel has his answer prepared.

"What do YOU think I'm going to tell him?" Manuel joked Monday. "I'll tell him, 'I need you, son. What are you trying to do, get me fired?"'