With the winter free agency period just around the corner, ESPN.coms’ Jayson Stark gets feedback from people in the know regarding the future employment status of Manny Ramirez, Bronson Arroyo and Kevin Millwood.

Manny Ramirez

Stark said last week that Ramirez may only find $1-2 million in base salary this winter. However, one exec predicts that Ramirez could find work as a DH in Vladimir Guerrero-type money ($6.5 million).

“And $20 million is a lot different than $6-8 million,” the same exec said. “You’re eliminating 80 percent of the market at $20 million. At $6-8 million, you’re only eliminating a handful of teams. Big difference.

“So does he play well in September? Is he healthy enough to play? Is he motivated to play? If the answer to all those questions is yes, I think he gets a deal similar to what Vlad got.”

However one NL exec said Ramirez is “just not a full-time player anymore.”

Bronson Arroyo

“I’d sign him. He’s been in a big market [Boston] and he’s done well in a smaller market [Cincinnati]. He knows how to pitch, and he’s fearless. Of course, he’s got to be fearless with that slop he throws up there.”

Arroyo, 33, is 14-7 with a 3.82 ERA in 26 starts for the Cincinnati Reds this season.

Kevin Millwood

“He’d have to get to a place like San Diego. The guy still competes, and he still gives you some veteran experience at the back end of your rotation. So in the right setting, in a pitchers’ park, it might work out OK, but strictly in a complementary sense. He can’t pitch in a smaller park anymore. He leaves so many four-seam fastballs up in the hitting zones. I don’t know if he doesn’t realize he can’t pitch up there anymore. But if he doesn’t, I don’t know why he doesn’t — after all the long balls he’s given up.”