Q: How extreme do you think the Yankees shakeup will be during the off-season? Should we expect to see Manny Ramirez playing home games in the Bronx next season?
— Edward Dempsey, Bayonne, N.J.

A: I’m sure it’s agent Scott Boras’ plan to get both the Yankees and the Mets in a bidding war for Ramirez, who grew up very close to Yankee Stadium. And frankly, there aren’t more than a couple of teams who are likely to get into the bidding if Ramirez really asks for a four- or five-year deal worth $100-million plus.

There’s no way I’d give him that kind of money, and I would think that three guaranteed years will be the most he gets. But as we’ve seen in the past, contracts often far exceed expectations with Boras clients.

As for the Yankees’ shakeup, it absolutely has to occur. What should have been obvious last winter is even more so now — too many key players are past their primes. No matter what they do with free-agents Andy Pettitte and Mike Mussina (and I think both will return at slightly lesser prices), the Yankees’ top priority should be to sign or trade for a No. 1-2 starter. So it stands to reason they will be in the CC Sabathia bidding.

I’d keep Xavier Nady and let Bobby Abreu leave in free agency, and there’s no way I’d pick up Jason Giambi’s $22-million option, but I might bring him back for something substantially less if I couldn’t lure Mark Teixeira. They also really need a center fielder, but there isn’t a quality one in free agency.

Q: I’m not a fan of the idea that whatever league wins the All-Star Game is awarded home-field advantage in the World Series. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like that rule will change any time soon. When do you think we will witness All-Star Game starters playing the full nine innings in a bid to win the game?
— Geoff Freimark, Chicago

A: I’m not a big fan of that concept either, Geoff. It’s a product of misguided logic — a real blemish on Bud Selig’s commissionership, which otherwise has done wonders for the game as an industry.

Practically nobody who wears a big-league uniform likes the concept, although you won’t hear any pointed criticism of it coming from them. It’s simply unfair and irrational — and an overreaction to the infamous tie game.

In my mind, the All-Star game is an exhibition — a celebration of individual stars — and should never determine something as vital as home-field advantage in the World Series.

All that said, I think the trend to starters playing longer already has begun, witness National League manager Clint Hurdle leaving in his starters for three at-bats apiece at Yankee Stadium. Starters playing nine innings seems a bit much to me, but it’s not unprecedented, as it used to happen with regularity.

That’s one reason why Willie Mays holds the record for All-Star Game at-bats with 75 (it also helps to play in 24 All-Star Games). The record for the fewest players used by one team is 11, by the AL in 1942; and the record for the fewest used in a game by both teams is 27 in the 1938 game.

Q: With tremendous defensive ability, very good batting average, and power potential, what do you think about the White Sox’s Alexei Ramirez for American League Rookie of the Year?
— Yack, Lake in the Hills, Ill.

A: Looking at the American League rookies, this could be a year when the vote is extremely divided. Until Evan Longoria suffered a fractured wrist, I think he was headed for the Rookie of the Year award, and he still might win it.

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But I can name several others who could get at least a couple of votes, including Ramirez, David Murphy, Adam Jones, Jacoby Ellsbury, Denard Span, Mike Aviles, Ben Francisco, Joba Chamberlain, Glen Perkins, Nick Blackburn, Armando Galarraga and Brad Ziegler.

Ramirez is in the top three among AL rookies in average, home runs, RBI, hits, total bases and stolen bases, and as you mention, has played excellent defense.

Longoria, who is expected to return in early-September, leads in homers, total bases and extra-base hits, and is in the top three in six other categories. And some even have mentioned him as a Gold Glove candidate. I think he’ll win the award if he is healthy and contributes down the stretch to the Rays making the playoffs.

Q: In Major League Baseball, can a team pitch a perfect game while being charged with any errors?
— Ebb, Woodbridge, NJ

A: That sounds like a trick question, Ebb. And the tricky answer is … yes. Here’s how: A batter hits a foul ball that is dropped by a fielder for an error. Then that batter is retired — and is one of 27 who goes down in order. That would make it a perfect game, despite the error that didn’t allow a base-runner. And I should thank Colorado Rockies’ official scorekeeper Dave Plati for confirming my answer on this one.