Believe it or not, folks, spring training is just a month away, and that means 2009 Major League Baseball futures on WagerWeb.com will be released any day now. Yet arguably the most dangerous hitter on the market, a guy who can change the shape of any division race, still sits unemployed.
Of course I mean Manny Ramirez.
Most experts expect Manny to head back to the Dodgers, a team that Ramirez ignited all the way to the National League Championship Series. With Manny back, Los Angeles is the WagerWeb.com favorite to repeat out West. Without Manny, the Dodgers likely will be slotted behind the Arizona Diamondbacks. Manny hit .396 with 17 homers in 53 games for the Dodgers last year.
So what’s the hold up? The Dodgers want him back, but Ramirez’s camp wants a four-year deal for a 37-year-old outfielder who can’t play defense and has been known to be a bit of a clubhouse problem at times. Way back in November, Los Angeles offered two years at $45 million, plus a third-year option for $15 million. The offer was ignored by Scott Boras and withdrawn by L.A.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the Dodgers continued their negotiations with Ramirez on Monday, but it was nothing substantial.
“Just checking in,” General Manager Ned Colletti said of his 15-minute phone conversation with Ramirez’s agent, Boras.
“We had a conversation,” Boras said.
The Dodgers don’t have a current offer on the table at this time and aren’t about to bid against themselves. The San Francisco Giants have been rumored to be interested, but didn’t they just get rid of a Ramirez-type player (hint: initials B.B.)? The Mets and Yankees both have kicked the tires, but both seem set with their payrolls where they are. The Angels don’t want him, and Manny has no interest in the Nationals.
The Dodgers, meanwhile, seem to be focusing on finding pitching right now after losing Brad Penny and Derek Lowe. After dumping payroll, including Andruw Jones, the Dodgers might look to a Bobby Abreu or Adam Dunn to fill their power need in the outfield if they can’t get something done with Manny soon.
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