ST. PETERSBURG -- B.J. Ryan took his normal place in front of the television and watched an NFL pregame show, joking with his teammates and sipping orange juice before perhaps his final save opportunity as an Oriole. If you ask the Orioles players and coaches what the team's No. 1 priority in the offseason should be, it's signing Ryan to an extension.

On Sunday, however, Ryan reiterated his stance that he plans to test the free agent market this winter and will not sign with the Orioles during the 15-day period in which they have exclusive negotiating rights with him.

Ryan entered the season finale having had a sparkling season, going 1-4 with a 2.43 ERA and 36 saves in 69 games. Opposing batters hit .208 against Ryan, and he struck out 100 batters in 70 1/3 innings. He is a frontline closer and perhaps the most attractive relief pitcher on the market.

Teams such as the Yankees, Mets and Red Sox are expected to court Ryan, who is 29 years old with no history of arm problems.

"They've had a chance for a while [to sign me]," Ryan said of the Orioles. "I'm open right now. For me and my family and the people I work with, it's in my best interest to be open-minded and have open ears."

The organization's stance on Ryan is uncertain. The contracts of executive vice president Jim Beattie and vice president Mike Flanagan expire on Oct. 31; only owner Peter Angelos knows if they are going to return. The only move the duo made this season was signing utility infielder Chris Gomez to a contract extension through 2006.

Ryan informed club officials last spring that he would not negotiate a contract during the season. He expressed disappointment that the team did not attempt to sign him earlier, but before 2005 he was an unproven closer.

"You put in time here and progressively get better, like you're supposed to," he said. "Eventually, you feel like a major part of this team and guys respect you in the clubhouse. That's a good feeling. It was tough realizing last week that it could be my last game in Baltimore. But I am going to go back home and spend some time with my family and just take in the process."

Miller's future: Pitching coach Ray Miller is unsure whether he'll return next season. He'll undergo surgery on Oct. 12 to take care of an aneurysm near his heart.

"It's a serious surgery," Miller said. "Whether I come back [or not] all depends on the surgery and what it takes out of me. That's [assuming] they want me back. Depending on who the GM will be, they have a lot more to say about it than I do."

Miller said he has enjoyed his latest stint with the Orioles, despite the season's disappointments.

"We had a lot of fun in the first 2 1/2 months," he said. "But the second half was tough. There were a lot of things we had to endure, a lot of off-the-field stuff that had little to do with baseball, and that made it tough."

Miller said the team needs a legitimate No. 1 starter in order to compete next season. The team has not had a bona fide ace since the days of Mike Mussina.

"I know those guys are hard to come by," he said. "But if we can get an experienced veteran and some guys in here who have won before and could teach the young players, then we'll be OK. I think we're close to being a good club."

Coming up: The Orioles and Devil Rays will meet on April 3, 2006 in Baltimore for Opening Day at Camden Yards. It will be the second time Tampa Bay has been Baltimore's season-opening opponent. The O's beat the Rays, 10-7, in the first game of 1999.