The Giants waning interest in Manny Ramirez is fading even more these days.
General manager Brian Sabean says Ramirez is “back burner” for his team, and other Giants people suggest that unless negotiations break down with the Dodgers and Ramirez is willing to go to San Francisco for something like a one-year, $20 million deal, they’re not getting him.
Remember, the Dodgers have already offered $25 million for one year.The Giants don’t seem inclined to beat that, and from all indications so far they haven’t tried. The Giants don’t seem overly concerned that Ramirez will sign with their division rival, presumably because they’ve expected that to happen and because they’re not willing to outbid the Dodgers.
Could the Giants be bluffing? Sure, although as their other winter moves suggest, they’re more a strike-fast team when they really want a player.
Truth be told, I don’t think the Giants were ever interested in Manny. I think they faked interest to screw with the Dodgers but now that spring training is set to commence, they can’t be bothered with this story anymore. They have a young left fielder in Fred Lewis that is coming off his best season as a pro and they want to get him more at bats. They overpaid centerfielder Aaron Rowand last year, rightfielder Randy Winn is a .300 hitter and Dave Roberts is an adequate fourth outfielder. Throw corner outfield prospect Nate Schierholtz into the mix and there’s just no room for Manny. And outside of his big bat, not much of a need either.
It’s only a matter of time before Ramirez is a Dodger again. L.A. has to give a little more, while Manny and Scott Boras have to take a little less. But either way, the Dodgers are the only team that Man-Ram will be playing for in ’09.
