SAN FRANCISCO -- Brian Sabean always expected Ned Colletti to become a general manager one day, just not for the San Francisco Giants' fiercest rival.
Colletti was introduced as GM of the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday, leaving Sabean and his staff to scramble heading into next month's winter meetings in Dallas. The Giants have a long offseason with list.
''Hopefully it won't ruin a friendship,'' Sabean said Wednesday of Colletti's departure. ''Obviously, he's in hated Dodger Blue now. He'll probably have a lot of pasta dinners with Tommy (Lasorda). It is an interesting twist of fate. You know how close we are. You spend so much time with somebody in the profession.''
For now, Sabean and Bobby Evans, the club's director of minor league operations, will share the load. Sabean gathered Colletti's files on Monday once he knew his right-hand man likely was headed down the coast to Southern California.
Sabean ''did everything I could to contact everybody we had interest in,'' though some of that work will have to wait a few days. He is in St. Petersburg, Fla., where he will get married Friday.
The Giants weren't close enough on any free agent deals for Colletti's job change to affect negotiations, Sabean said.
While the news of Colletti's promotion was bittersweet, Sabean and the Giants are thrilled their colleague is finally getting his shot at age 50 and after nine seasons under Sabean.
''It's something he richly deserves and is long overdue,'' Sabean said. ''While it's gratifying for him, it's something you take personally because you're losing something close to the organization. ... This is something we all had hoped for. He should have been in position long before this.''
San Francisco's top offseason priority is to bolster its starting pitching and perhaps find a left-handed bat as insurance if Barry Bonds can't play every day. The Giants also have decisions to make at first base and in the outfield because of the injury problems of Bonds and right fielder Moises Alou in 2005.
Hiring Colletti's replacement could take a while. Sabean wants to do a thorough search, which might not be possible before the winter meetings commence Dec. 5. Sabean, who said ''it's a very difficult position to fill,'' will likely consider internal candidates first.
''We're really not afforded that opportunity right now. We've got too much to do prior to the winter meetings,'' Sabean said. ''Along the lines of his experience, he'll be tough to replace.''
Colletti has been the Giants' primary negotiator with agents, so Sabean will take on a greater role in that area for now. Sabean described Colletti as consistent, passionate, relentless and diligent.
''On top of that, he's very moral and very ethical,'' Sabean said. ''He's got the qualities and what I deem more than enough experience.''
Sabean said both he and Colletti had become ''pessimists'' as they witnessed younger, less-experienced people earn high-profile management jobs around the league.
Now, they're competitors in the National League West, which certainly will be motivated for major improvement after the division's awful showing this past season. San Francisco (75-87) finished third in the division, ahead of the Dodgers and the Colorado Rockies.
''Obviously, it's an interesting rivalry,'' Sabean said. ''Everybody's up against their own needs and wants. We all have our marching orders and only so much room to do business.''
Will Colletti attend the wedding? He's invited, but Sabean will understand if his friend doesn't make it.
''If he does, I hope he's ready for the biggest prank,'' Sabean said.